Monday 23 February 2009

Sew love to.......Crochet?

I can knit and I can sew but I've never learned to crochet so at the age of ahem 41, I decided it was time to learn.

I bought this book, a crochet hook and some yarn and set to work.

First of all I couldn't even work out how to do the slip knot to start off! My husband had to show me how. As a child I had at least learnt to crochet a chain and after much fiddling around I remembered how to get this far.

As well as using the book I used some films on u-tube to learn how to double (USA single) and treble (USA half treble) crochet. To be honest I needed the films as I couldn't work out what to do just from the book but that was probably down to me rather than the book's instructions as now I know what to do the book makes sense.


I won't show my first few efforts, they are very wonky and I have a tendancy to pull the yarn too tight. A friend showed me how to do a square which was a great help.


Here is flower I made from the book. I've used a thinner yarn and a different size hook but it's ok.



Finally, last night I did a square with changes of colour. Hurray! I'm not sure what to do next. I may do more squares and make a cushion from them.



All this made may think about how, as adults, most things we do come naturally. I felt so awkward trying to hold the yarn and hook and manipulate the hook through the yarn. I felt like a newborn lamb learning to walk or a child learning how to hold a pen and write.

Amanda has kindly sent me some Bushfire Quilt appeal Star blocks which I will send with mine during the first week in March. If any UK bloggers would like me to send their's with mine let me know.

Bye for now, Maria

15 comments:

Abby and Stephanie said...

Well I won't tell my age but I bought a child's learn to crochet book and was able to get it started and do a single crochet. Then I put it down and haven't been back. Love your beginning projects...you'd never know you hadn't been crocheting for years.

Sal said...

I think crochet is becoming very popular again! Well done on your first effort..it looks lovely ;-)

wonderwoman said...

i tried to teach myself - got the book happy hooker - after about 2 hours nearly threw it onthe fire - i think i need a one to one!

xx

Marie said...

Oh Maria how neat your learning to crochet, I want to and could as long as I sat next to my Mom and then after she passed on I just could not get it. Maybe again someday. Your square is great and flowers to. Hugs, Marie

Indigo Blue said...

Your flower has turned out very well indeed. I did smile when you said how your husband helped, but mine helps me when I am my wits end as another pari of eye sees what I have been missing. i am also getting to grips with corchet, so I will be back to see how you get on. i will post my latest effort later in the week.
xx

Indigo Blue said...

Hi, I have noitced you are in Ipswich. I come from just outside Newmarket. It is a blooming long way from Cornwall so I only get to visit a couple of times a year. Got quite a bit of snow this month?

Jude said...

I've just got backto crocheting after many years of thinking it wasn't the thing to do... after all the shawls and blankets I made in the 70s.
Then I discovered Attic 24, Lucy, she's got tutorials on some lovely pieces and they look so up to the minute. If you take a look at my blog, I follow her so there's a link on the right hand side to her site.

Sarah said...

Well I am impressed! My poor friend has desperatly tried to teach me to crochet and well - it is in the to hard basket. I am very impressed with your effort (grin)

Gone to Earth said...

You look as if you're doing very well with the crochet. Sew a brooch back on your flower and you could wear it.

Things Hand Made said...

It si alwasy good to remind ourselves how hard it can be to learn something new. The flower looks lovely.

Kris said...

I felt exactly the same when I learnt to crochet. I was 8 and it all seemed so strange. You are improving quickly! I remember my improvement at eight was s-l-o-w....

Penny said...

I found it very difficult to teach myself crochet from books - it was surprising how much difference it made when I had someone show me how to do a double crochet stitch.

Cerejeira said...

Yeah!!! I did the same....is that not fun!!!?

Mrs Moog said...

Wow - well done on teaching yourself to crochet! The flower and the square are lovely. Before you know it you'll be doing great big ripple blankets :-)

xxx

silverpebble said...

Oh! I'm a complete beginner too - it's wonderful to see your finished treasures and to get the book tip. I've just sent out an appeal for crochet tips of a total novice so this is a seriously useful post - thankyou!

Just been enjoying the delights of the rest of your blog too!

Emma
x