I find that the art of sewing, crocheting and knitting have become
lost arts for the most part. In a
“microwave society” where people want results and they want them now (me included), it is easy to
see how the art of working with ones hands has become nearly extinct. Even my grandmother, the woman who was a Home
Economics teacher all her professional career has succumb to the ready-made
cookie dough and clothes off of the rack.
My grandmother was the woman who taught me how to crochet
many many years ago. I would do just
fine while I was at her house, but when I went home, I couldn’t figure out how
to do anything but the single chain…one way. J So, in other words, I was able to crochet a
large line of chains and that was it!
It has been over 20 years since I last picked up a crochet
hook until I saw this lovely post from Missy at Graceful Little Honey Bee. She had me inspired to try and learn how to
crochet on my own.
For anyone interested in learning to crochet, there really
isn’t much of a startup cost to begin (the cost of a hook and a ball of yarn is
the minimum needed to start learning).
You can get a crochet hook for just a few dollars at Walmart, Hobby
Lobby, JoAnn Fabrics or any craft store.
My husband bought me a kit that has a DVD
to learn how to crochet, patterns, and all of the hooks needed.
From there, I found this video that helped me to learn how
to crochet a single chain (forward and back this time).
I love this video because it is nice and slow, and the woman
explains everything so well! Do you see
the number of views on this video? Most
of them were from me watching and re-watching the video dozens of times.
After making a couple of pot holders based on the first video above, I
crocheted infinity scarves for my nieces based on this YouTube tutorial.
I am determined to master the art of crocheting and I look
forward to learning more patterns to create in the near future. Until then, I will continue to work on my
single crochet and work on this shrug until it is
complete. You better believe I will post
a picture when the shrug is complete.
After I have mastered crocheting, I would like to re-learn
how to sew using the sewing machine that was handed down to me from my mother
as well as learn how to knit. Until
then, you will find me relaxing on the couch, listening to a book while I
crochet until my eyes start to cross.
It may not be “worth” the time for some, but it is a
relaxing hobby that I enjoy and I love seeing the results after I put in all of
the hard work.
Do you have any advice or EASY projects to work on?
I barely crochet and made an afghan using single crochet; however, it is not really a rectangle, more of a trapezoid. I guess I added and lost stitches somewhere in there. I found the double crochet was faster and easier. I still don't know how to "make" anything other than that. I would love to make granny squares but they seem to come out as circles. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThat is funny about your "trapezoid" because my "headbands" kind of turned out that way too. I am on the finishing touches of the shrug, so we will see how that turns out. I will surely let you know.
DeleteI saw that Missy over at Graceful Little Honey Bee did a few granny square blankets and I love the way they look! I may make a couple for the nieces for Christmas this year, but we'll see if I can figure out how to make them.
And yes, the double crochet goes by alot quicker; however, I love the look of the single crochet moreso than the double.
I know it just takes time to get used to all of the stitches and stuff. I will keep plugging away at it, and I hope you dont give up either. :-)