(Note: This post was written by Laurel Regan and originally published in a separate blog called “Fibre Yarns”, which was later merged with Alphabet Salad.)
Adapted from LiveJournal entry originally posted October 9th, 2004:
I decided that since I’ve just started a brand new hobby… CROCHET!… I’d set up a new and separate journal to chronicle the learning process, post pictures of the stuff I’m working on, etc., so as not to bore everyone on my main friends list! So here it is, starting with some excerpts from my main journal…
August 27th, 2004 – The germ of an idea
I sure wish I could wear hats without looking like a total dweeb, ’cause there are some very cool ones out there there… some day I must learn to crochet.
September 10th, 2004 – The decision is made
I want to learn how to crochet.
Last Christmas, I learned how to do basic knitting, but I never got to the point where I could have made anything attractive enough to wear. As most beginners possibly experience, I had trouble with getting the tension right – the scarf I made is considerably wider at one end than it is at the other. *grin* DH claims to love it, though (he’s so supportive)!
Anyway, now I’d like to try my hand (no pun intended) at crocheting. For those of you who already know how to crochet, would you consider answering some questions and/or giving me some advice?
How did you learn? Did you teach yourself, or take a class, or have a friend teach you? Do you have any web sites and/or books that you’d recommend for a total beginner? What size crochet hook is good to start with? What’s a good project to learn and practice on? Any ideas, suggestions, hints, tips, whatever?
Thanks in advance! 🙂
October 4th, 2004 – The Victoria Crochet Meetup Group is born!
Just me and a friend so far, but I’m excited I’m going to be learning how to crochet! And, you never know where the group will go in the future… could be a lot of fun.
October 4th, 2004 – The Meetup Group evolves
I’m very happy to see the crochet group up and running, and can’t wait to have our first Meetup! I’m dying to start making something other than what I see on the screen… something I can hold.
October 7th, 2004 – The learning begins
I’m all thumbs! I’m teaching myself how to do a chain stitch… I imagine it’s pretty funny watching me in all my awkwardness!
Off to practice…
Oct. 7th, 2004 – The learning continues
Crochet update – OK, so now I figured out single crochet! My little swatch looks terrible, and my hand is cramping nicely, but I’m crocheting! Woohoo!
Oct. 8th, 2004 – A crochet emergency!
Is there ever a time when crocheting a potholder that all the stiches would end up ON the crochet hook, sorta like in knitting… or am I the biggest crochet loser in the world?!
later…
This is what happened:
Ch 25 – no problem.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hk and in ea st across, ch 1, turn – 24 sc – no problem.
Row 2: Sc in each sc THRU BACK LP to within last st, sc thru both lps, ch 1, turn – definite problems with this row! Every time I try to go through the back loop, the stiches end up staying on the needle.
ARGH!!!
later…
Darnit, I think I just answered my own question…! Let me try something…
later…
OK, so my brain inserted the word “ONLY” after “THRU BACK LP”, which (of course) left the stitches on the needle! Duh! So, it’s working now!
Yay… I learned something! 🙂
Oct. 9th, 2004 – Announcing the new blog
So as not to bore y’all with my adventures in crochetland, I’ve set up a separate journal for all my crochet-related posts. You’re more than welcome to add this new journal to your friends list… but believe me when I say that I understand that this is a specialized interest, and I won’t be offended in the slightest if you don’t! 🙂
Now, off to crochet…
