Learn to Crochet
79crocheted tam
Let crochet inspire you.
Crochet is from the needlecraft family. The word ‘crochet' is French for ‘hook.' Most crochet is done with a hook and yarn.
Crochet is experiencing a revival like it hasn't seen since the 1970's.
I learned to crochet from my mother when I was a child. She taught me to do a starting chain, and I must have made miles and miles of chains before I realized there was more to it. But it did keep me out of her hair while she worked on her projects.
I didn't learn to knit until I was a teenager. My dad taught me that. For a long time I assumed that I crocheted faster than I could knit because I'd had more practice. But in time I came to realize that crochet in most cases just works up a lot faster. And it tends to have a bulkier texture. And it is easier to crochet odd shapes or to add trim around knitting or fabric. And I find it more portable because you only need one hook, whereas in knitting you may be using up to five needles at once.
So how does one learn to crochet? The easiest way is to buy a hook (J or H) and some normal looking yarn (not the alien furry variety). Have it ready and keep your eyes peeled for another crochet fiend. Then politely ask them to show you the basics. It is possible to learn from books, or from Internet sites. Raid your used bookstore for how-to books. Nearly every book on crochet has a how-to stitch dictionary in it somewhere. And since you use the same basic stitches over and over you'll have it down in no time.
Crochet is also a great way to join found objects together. You can crochet around curtain rings, purse handles, wire, and cloth. You can also crochet with beads. Look for animated websites that show you how.
Nothing beats a real teacher to show you the basics though. Check your craft store for classes or referrals.
Some of the places I've seen crocheters include trains, busses, parks, church outings, and anyplace you have to wait in line. I crocheted for 2 hours sitting in the DMV once and people kept stopping by to chat about crochet or tell me stories about people in their families that could crochet. Once I was crocheting at a pistol range when the elderly male range supervisor came and sat next to me. I couldn't imagine what he wanted. Well, he wanted to talk about crochet. His wife had been hospitalized for a long time and he had learned to keep her company and crochet pineapple doilies at the same time. It helped pass the time, and he was able to make them for just about every person he was close to.
So if you think you are too macho to crochet, you would be wrong.
Here is a brief list of things I've made using crochet: baby booties, lap blankets, hats, afghans, dolls and doll clothes, vests, ponchos, a robe, shawls, teddy bears and other stuffed animals, pillows, hair scrunchies, bedroom slippers, belly dance hip bands, bookmarks, ornaments, and jewelry.
I recommend starting a gift box. Add things to it as you finish them and you will never lack for those last minute gifts for baby showers, weddings, house warmings, or guests that drop in unexpectedly for the holidays.
Crochet a button bracelet.
Freeform crochet pieces can be joined to form clothing or hats or bags.
Whip some up today.
Granny squares
Granny hexagons waiting to be turned into Granny Squares
My crochet blog
- Chemo Hats Always Free
If you need one for you or a loved one, email me at Pigglewiggins (at) gmail.com. and let me know your favorite color. Also, do you prefer solids or stripes or anything goes. Make sure you tell me if it's for a child, teen, or adult so I get the size right. And I'll need a complete address to send it to. And if any of you are in the Anaheim area I also accept donations of yarn and knitting and crocheting supplies, as long as they are from a smoke free environment. That way I can keep the caps coming, and you can get your closet cleaned out of all the yarn Aunt Martha left you. And if you could never figure out that new fangled knitting loom, I'll be happy to have those too. That way I can put the local teens to work making hats as well.
- Crochet Book From 1975
I was walking past my bookcase this morning when my eye fell upon a vintage crochet book that I bought when I was in high school (1975). I thought it would be fun to make the top with squares that's on the cover. Of course I can't get into that size so I'll just have to use it for inspiration. But I took a photo of the book just in case it might bring back memories to you as well. Since I want to use different thicknesses of yarn I had to alter the directions or use two strands of the thinner yarns. But the main idea is to make all the squares the same size so I can put a border around them (like stained glass) and fashion them into a top.
- Slouch Hats
Right now I'm getting ready to make some slouch hats. Once I visualized in my mind that the shape is the same as a snood, only with a solid fabric instead of a netted one, I realized how easy it will be to make some. It's pretty much the same thing as a bag cap we wore at the Renaissance Faires. Some of the slouch cap patterns I googled up yesterday aren't really baggy at all and look just like beanies. I think they missed the point. One pattern I read said that these 'slouch hats' would only be in style a few months so make them super big out of wool, so when the trend passes you can shrink them down and felt them to be a normal hat. Evidentally she doesn't know her hat history because this classic style has been around for centuries. When Pete Seeger wore one to the Obama Inaguration, I seriously doubt he was trying to be trendy. Ah well, that's fashionistas for you.
My Blog on Indie Public
- Trip to Arizona
… You can read my almost daily craft blog here: http://craftaday.blogspot.com/ I do try to drop by Indiepublic once in a while to add an update. I just added some new photos to my photo stream here. I've been busy on many projects including beadwork earrings and beaded spiders, whittling, weaving, and doing cross stitch embroidery. My need to create is greater than my need to make sales so I just keep on creating through thick and thin. I just spent a weekend in AZ and that inspired me to study southwestern art. I bought some charms from a lady out there including kokopelli, a coyote, a roadrunner, a saguaro, and some more conventional charms. The weather was perfect out there and we camped 2 nights by Quartzsite where I took many photos.
- Archery Clan meeting
I'm hoping to start a monthly meeting for people that want to work on their arrow making, bow making, flint knapping and archery gear. We already go to one on Pasadena every month, but I thought we'd get a lot more done and stay focused if we had one two weeks after the other one. I wan… I'm hoping to start a monthly meeting for people that want to work on their arrow making, bow making, flint knapping and archery gear. We already go to one on Pasadena every month, but I thought we'd get a lot more done and stay focused if we had one two weeks after the other one. I wanted something in Orange County CA so I wouldn't have to drive all the way to Pasadena. It will probably be at El Dorado Park, though I'd prefer Mile Square Park because they don't have the $5 parking fee. Well, they do, but they have free street parking. There is no street parking at El Dorado. But most of the people who said they might come live closer to Long Beach, so I may get outvoted. If Sig comes we can work on gourd art and spoon carving too. But he works in the medical field so his schedule is all over the place. He gave me a spoon carving tool and I can't wait to get some green wood to try it out on. Also I hope David will come. He lives in Laguna Beach, so either location is closer for him that Pasadena. Of couse if you are reading this and live near Anaheim and think you want to learn these skills, leave me a comment so I can make sure you know when the meetings are.
- How do I get rid of the cloud photo on my blog?
I'm trying to remodel my blog this morning and can't seem to find how to change the blog background photo. It's not listed on the other page to change and tile photos for the header and so on. Hmmm. When I quit trying to solve the puzzle I'll probably find the solution. It's my brain teaser for the day. I'm trying to remodel my blog this morning and can't seem to find how to change the blog background photo. It's not listed on the other page to change and tile photos for the header and so on. Hmmm. When I quit trying to solve the puzzle I'll probably find the solution. It's my brain teaser for the day.
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MasonsMom says:
2 years ago
I've been wondering about the difference in knitting and crocheting--thanks for shedding some light on it for me. I think crocheting sounds a little easier, maybe I should try it instead of knitting.