stiffning crochet problem

What are you using to stiffen them?

I use a mix of white glue and water (1:3), mostly because my grandmother used starch, and we discovered that ants thought it was yummy and ate extra holes into the lace.

Caryn

So now if they try it, they come to a sticky end?

Pat P

I've never tried this but, I knew some girls who used sugar. Wierd, but they said it was a sugar solution, dried over a form. Judy

I`ve heard of that too, it`s quite an old method, but I should imagine that ants would be even more attracted to it if ants are a problem to you. After all, ants actually "farm" aphids for the honeydew.

Pat P

I used a sugar solution years ago and don't remember having an ant problem. I think when it dries like that they aren't interested.

I have no idea what the proportion of sugar to water was, but if I remember I'll be glad to post the info.

Lucille

I use one part hot boiling water to 2 parts sugar. Stir well until sugar dissolves. Use when cool/cold. Never had a problem with whites going to off white.

Sealed in a jar, it will keep until you are ready to use again.

Good one!

Since starch and sugar are really the same basic thing, starch breaks down in to sugar when we digest it as I recall from H.S. Biology, it's not a surprise that ants liked it.

The ant thing was not something that happened immediately, but when we were cleaning out my great-grandmothers things we found that things she stiffened with starch (or it could have been the sugar solution others are suggesting) had been badly eaten. Some dead ants were in there too, so it was obvious what did the chewing. I associated it with my grandmother at first, rather than my great-grand because it all happened in the house they shared.

When I've used the glue mixture it hasn't discolored the white of the crochet cotton at all. I still have some crochet snowflakes I stiffened this way in 1985 that are still bright white. And so far, have not met with any ant problems. They are stored in my basement, which does get it's share of insects from time to time.

I just had a thought tho....if you are using tap water in which ever mix you use, if it's heavy water it could be depositing minerals into the lace and thus making it look less bright white.

Caryn

You needed a warning there Pat!

SPEW!

That`s a point - maybe it`s worth trying bottled water or even distilled water? (I assume you can still get distilled water?) You can do it yourself, of course, but it`s a bit of a performance if you can still buy it. Not something I`ve had much use for in many years.

Ant problems must vary according to where you live, and the weather conditions, of course - some people will have more ant problems than others. In certain weather situations in the summer we get swarmed by them. I had to go around the paving slabs and window-sills quite a bit this summer, with the creepy-crawly spray. I assume you meant HARD water rather than HEAVY! ;-))

Pat P

Yes, Hard water, rather than heavy. Posting before coffee seriously messes with my verbal skills! lol

You can still get distilled water, I use it in my iron, and Dude uses it in his humidors. Yes, the man smokes cigars (ick).

Caryn

Oh - I love the smell of cigar smoke! No-one here smokes, though. May I borrow him, just to have a sniff? LOL!

Pat P

We'd love a trip to the UK, but I think it's a bit too expensive just for you to get a whiff of my hubby! ROFL

Caryn

Well Pat, next DH goes, I'll direct him your way. He likes the odd cigar too.

Cheryl

Dude prefers his cigars to be well shaped not odd!

Caryn

Distilled water is what is used in car batteries, so the cheapest source should be shops that sell car supplies.

That's bad!

There is an upside to a DH that frequents the cigar shop - a chance to view the cigar box pile!

Cheryl

They smell nice too! Some are really attractive (as well as the smell, I mean).

Pat P

I get it at the grocery store, it's something like 50 cents for a gallon.

Caryn