HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi guys and gals and crabs and isopods.... anybody ever thought of using butchers string/twine to make climbing nets? I'm doing just that. My progress is meh because I'm using double overhands w/ two strands at a time and I really do need the practice lemme tell ya. But yeah, it's coming.

Also do command hooks actually work/are safe for crabs?

Update: actual netting is taking its sweet time being made. Knots are hard... and it's frustrating when you have all that string and only a wee bit done. I shall persevere....

Oh the command hook question, I may not have to do that either because I may make myself some lilac climbing furniture and tie it to that nice and snug. Whatcha think?

Hmmm...never heard of butchers string. Had to look it up. I'm practically vegan here. I can help with command hooks though. I love them! I use the Velcro like kind for 16 lbs. I know others use them as well.

I don't know how to knit. I bought a fish net.


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Dude, crochet is dead-easy once you learn how. You can make a net-like pattern. If you want I can link the YouTube video I learned with.

Command hooks are fine. Some members have recommended getting the ones specifically for use in the shower, because they hold up better with the humidity.

Alternatively, you can use aquarium safe silicone to glue suction cups to the walls of your tank. This needs to be done while the tank is empty of crabs, however, and left to air out until you cannot smell the silicone anymore.

LadyJinglyJones wrote:Dude, crochet is dead-easy once you learn how. You can make a net-like pattern. If you want I can link the YouTube video I learned with.

Ooh may I have the link please? I have a few crochet hooks lying around and I've never really used them. I'd like to learn. Thanks!


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I don't know if this is the same pattern LJJ mentioned but here's one I found:

http://newstitchaday.com/how-to-crochet ... sh-stitch/

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daws409 wrote:I don't know if this is the same pattern LJJ mentioned but here's one I found:

http://newstitchaday.com/how-to-crochet ... sh-stitch/

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Awesome, thanks!


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Dang... I left this post sliiiide. Well, good news is, I've learned how to crochet way before I even thought of crabs. Bad news is... is crochet thread safe? I have the white kind available but I know it's been bleached to get it that white and who knows what's in it otherwise. Also is there a way to get the hemp cordage you would get at the craft store safe? It can't be that clean and round naturally. Forgive my paranoia but I don't wanna kill anything, as you might understand.

WhimsyMimsyMo wrote:Dang... I left this post sliiiide. Well, good news is, I've learned how to crochet way before I even thought of crabs. Bad news is... is crochet thread safe? I have the white kind available but I know it's been bleached to get it that white and who knows what's in it otherwise. Also is there a way to get the hemp cordage you would get at the craft store safe? It can't be that clean and round naturally. Forgive my paranoia but I don't wanna kill anything, as you might understand.

I crocheted my hermie "nets" using organically grown/untreated/unwaxed hemp cord, bought from a gang of hippies on the West coast.. I've seen the same for sale at various shops on Etsy. I personally wouldn't use cotton crochet thread - in addition to your concerns about chemicals, it tends to disintegrate in the high humidity environment of your average crabitat, and is prone to mouldering and getting stinky. As I used to use some of my nets as moss hammocks (I've since switched over to fishing nets, which I've found to be more durable), the hemp does also disintegrate over time, but I find it lasts longer than cotton (I made a few nets out of organic kitchen cording when I couldn't source hemp... never again) and doesn't go nasty in the process..

I wouldn't use yarn that is meant for crochet, I'd lean more towards natural, non chemically treated hemp cord or jute. I've seen hemp cord available at Walmart, and when I made nets out of jute I purchased it at a craft store.

WhimsyMimsyMo wrote:Dang... I left this post sliiiide. Well, good news is, I've learned how to crochet way before I even thought of crabs. Bad news is... is crochet thread safe? I have the white kind available but I know it's been bleached to get it that white and who knows what's in it otherwise. Also is there a way to get the hemp cordage you would get at the craft store safe? It can't be that clean and round naturally. Forgive my paranoia but I don't wanna kill anything, as you might understand.

You can crochet anything! For natural twines you probably just need a bigger hook. There are plenty of untreated undyed wool and cotton yarns out there that would probably be fine, but id go with natural twine anyways for durability.

I learned how to crochet years ago and im ruined for knitting now! Crocheting is just so easy. You can make ANYTHING without a pattern. Put some pics up of how they come out!

Omg...What a great freakin idea!!!!