I can crochet!
October 14th, 2009
I’ve tried to knit many times, but I get so tense while I’m knitting (is this right?? is it working?) that my stitches get so ridiculously tight I can’t shove the damn needle under the yarn. And even if I do loosen up, it takes me forever and I just don’t have the patience. I’ve always wanted to learn to crochet because I know it is faster than knitting and I want to be part of the yarn kids click too. I’m just so nervous when it comes to working with yarn–you can’t really half ass it, like you can with sewing. So I checked out Kids Crochet by Kelli Ronci and Lena Corwin because I figured if they can teach kids they can teach me.
It’s a beautiful book and the projects are awesome, but I still didn’t really get how to crochet. You tube to the rescue! I watched a 3 minute video on single crochet and a few hours later I had a scarf. It helped immensely that the yarn was super bulky and the hook super bulky too (a size P). I was originally going to make the shorter neck wrap on the cover for my daughter, but I enjoyed the actual crocheting so much I just kept going until I used up the whole ball (skein? I know no yarn lingo) and now the scarf is mine. I have plans to make more projects from the book (like all of them) but I need to learn more than just single crochet for that.
Oh, I don’t know why I didn’t mentioned this sooner (October is flying by!) but I was asked by the lovely ladies of Habit to be a contributor for the month. Habit is a photographic collection of the little bits of life from both Emily and Molly and the women they ask to participate. It’s been extremely enjoyable and a good excuse to try to take more–and possibly better–pictures. So go check it out.
so funny – i posted something similar recently – i am a yarn wimp as well.
and i’ve checked that book out from the library – so pretty! i really need to just buy it. your scarf is pretty!
Congrats! I have just taught myself some crochet as well, it was a little tricky being a leftie. Well done, I think I actually enjoy it quite a bit more than knitting. Might have to check the book out, looks like some cute projects.
I love this! You can be proud of what you have done.
I can knit (a bit) and crochet (a bit) but there is much that escapes me. I knit right handed, but crochet left handed..that explains a lot about my twisted personality.
Recently I have embarked on a journey to learn how to use double pointed needles. I will not repeat the words I have used as I attempted over and over again. There is something very threatening about one needle zeroing in on my crotch, one making the ascent into one of my nostrils, and the third spinning around, and the fourth imitating a heat seeking missile.
I do agree..You tube is a godsend at times for the fiber lovers who take the little yellow bus.
you just brought back memories of learning to knit! i took a class since i never figured it out on my own. the teacher kept saying, “um, why are you knitting so tightly?” which made me even more tense! thankfully, now it’s very relaxing for me, as long as i do something repetitive and super easy. i’ve been crocheting this week though, and it’s much faster!
Thank you so much for that video! I’ve actually been knitting for about a year now, even forayed successfully into double pointed needles, but for some reason I just never. got. crochet. All the videos and diagrams I looked at were too fast/tangly-looking but the youtube video actually makes sense and points out all the different loops. Woohoo! Thanks again!
ha, this sounds like me. I checked out the kids versions of how to knit and how to crochet. I can do several differnt stiches, but can’t read a pattern so I’m pretty much useless. My local library offers classes, I should probably just sign up and start at the beginning.
Oh…I really want to learn…it looks like you’ve got the hang of it!
Well done!
Char
beautiful scarf! be careful: crocheting can be very addictive, as soon as you discover (like you did) how fun and easy it can be! I am loving it and lately I always have my crocet project bag with me wherever I go!
what a relief to know that I’m not the ONLY inept yarn manager in the world. everyone around me knows how to knit and it makes me feel like such a failure, even though there are other things I can do, including needlepoint, cross-stitch, and fairly simple sewing (I’m working on improving my skills in that arena). I am completely willing to try to crochet now that I know how to find instructions that make sense. You have given me HOPE!! I thank you.
I watched my mum and grandmothers knit and crochet since I was kneehigh to a grasshopper – ironically, I had to teach myself both knitting and crochet using books. I didn’t have youtube but if the internet opens the door for people to learn this kind of thing then I am thrilled. Best of luck with your new favourite habit!
yay for crochet! and habit. i love habit.
I took that lovely book out from the library with the same intention but never got around to learning. I did, of course, run up a huge fine but that’s nothing new. I’m bookmarking that video. Crochet is going back on the list.
meg, i love this post. i’ve been wanting to learn to crochet, too, but have been similarly intimidated/overwhelmed/scared. what a great idea to try a kid’s book!
This is the book that I learned to crochet with! I only know single crochet and half double so far. I made the teddy bear in the book and a scarf. Then I let my SIL borrow it so she could learn. It’s a great book for beginners. I really like the Kids Embroidery book in this series too.
I love that photo of the laundry on Habit–so true and honest and perfectly lovely.
Crochet is really simple and fun. It’s all just a matter of following a few directions at first, for a crafty mama like you.
I am glad you started!
I had an acquaintance sit down with me for half an hour, showing me the single and double crochets, then just went from there. I love that there are now video tutorials on the ‘net – when you don’t know someone to ask, it’s great to be able to see it in motion.
As for knitting, I learned that from a dvd meant for kids…
I have been crocheting since I was a little kid. I always wanted to learn to knit but had the same problem as you, my stitches were way to tight. I was watching a knitting show and they were talking about continental knitting and it looked easier than the American way. I found a tutorial on line and tried it. It is so easy, and the stitches are looser this way. Love it!!!! I was so excited. You should try it, here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuRLFl36tDY.