My adventures in crochet land

I had some down time last week. So, what better to do than learn to crochet. Ever since I spotted a prettily coloured crochet granny blanket at Cath Kidston and then followed a forum discussion (I forget where) on how people could make their own using much nicer yarns, I was determined to learn.

Then I stumbled across these very lovely blogs - Henhouse, Do You Mind if I Knit and Attic 24 - and cooed and wowed over their lovely crocheted creations. Hen of Henhouse (whom I found after reading about her home in a magazine) had learnt how to crochet very recently and was making pretty pieces, so I decided it couldn't possibly be too late for me too. Do have a look at their blogs and see the beautiful things they're making.

Yes, I made these!

I've always toyed with the idea of learning but haven't had anyone to teach me. Books didn't make sense either when it came to the basics. Then I turned to YouTube and *ping* I found a video, watched a couple more and that was it... I could crochet. It was that easy! I opened up a book and looked at the pattern for granny squares... Hey, it was just single chains and trebles. I could do that!

Surprisingly I found I understand the diagrams far better, than I understood the written instructions. I am the opposite when it comes to knitting. There, diagrams bamboozle me. Here in crochet land, diagrams are my friend. I love seeing exactly how the pattern should look on paper.

The pink and white square on the bottom left above was my first attempt. See, how I messed up the first couple of rounds? The square on the right was were it all came together.

After I made my first granny square, I got a bit over excited and made a sunburst circle (what does one do with these?), then a hexagon.

 
Then another square that didn't look quite as appalling as the first one. I'm quite proud of this one.

Then I went to John Lewis and eBay, went mad and bought a whole bunch of other yarns and Amazon for some pre-Christmas crochet books for moi. Heaven help my house, because it stands a good chance of being covered in as much crochet as knitting now. Still, we shall all be so very warm and snuggly.

And best of all, I have succeeded in my ambition to crochet. Now, where's my hook and that lovely new yarn?

Comments

[London Lisbonite]

They look great! I'm no great shakes with a needle but my grandmother spent her life crocheting and it's undergone a real revival in Portugal (flower broochs are really traditional). I've been tracking a couple of Portuguese shops that have some lovely things - if I could crochet I'd certainly be using some of them!http://www.etsy.com/shop/craftaria for example :)

[Fresh Design Blog]

Gosh, you've done well with it and I think they all look great! The round one could be used as a coaster or you could make it into a brooch perhaps?!

YouTube is great for practical videos - I did the same when learning to knit on a loom.

[Camilla @ Hygge Nook]

LL - you must learn, it is so ridiculously easy, I could hardly believe it!

FDB - thank you! Perhaps they would make a nice garland with a few strung together? Glad to see YouTube is working for you too.

[cordie clifton]

The works pictured are just what I did when I first started. Give yourself time and more pratice. Your stich gage will work out in time. Don't give up.

[Camilla {Hygge Nook}]

Thanks Cordie. These are quite old now and I'm now a dab hand at granny squares and circles!