I decided to learn crochet in college. Crazy way for a college student to spend some free time? Definitely. I can assure you I wasn’t as big of a loser as I looked. One night, for some odd reason, I found myself taking a creative hit. My mother had taught me cross-stitch when I was a kid, but that didn’t work anymore. I was ready for something new and exciting.
I found myself wandering the craft aisles at Wal-mart late at night (the best time to go for a college student!) and was inevitably drawn to all the cool yarns. Okay, so what to do with them? Knit or crochet? Knitting was beyond me at the time, and perhaps even looked a little “granny”. Crochet was so… cool. Yeah that’s it.
So for whatever reason, I chose crochet. I fantasized about super trendy afghans and drapes adorning my dorm room and great gifts to impress my fiancee’s family. It was something I could learn to do that could be useful in the future. I could decorate an apartment or house, dress up the kids I would one day have, and even give all my friends great inexpensive gifts.
Good in theory, but I never finished my first project — an Afghan. What can I say? I was a college student who was easily distracted. And the reason I didn’t finish since college? Let’s say I’m an equally distracted adult. But despite my early failure, I learned to crochet and later even learned to knit.
Overall, there are two big things I’ve learned from my crochet and knitting experiences:
First, you can “learn for yourself” with the help of a good how-to book. There are quite a few out there. Just go to any store that carries craft supplies and patterns. Browse through the books to find the most user-friendly for you. One note – don’t panic if some books with great instructions have patterns and illustrations that take you back to the 70’s or 80’s. (My first how-to book had some real winners—cheesy vests and sweaters with horrendous color schemes—but still, ’80s fashion is back, right?)
Also look out for how-to kits. I started with a kit with a few crochet hooks and tools plus additional patterns – which were so much needed! Other than spinning, these kits should provide you with the basics, but you shouldn’t stray far from the store just yet. Since you don’t have all sizes in your kit, it’s a good idea to go ahead and buy some additional crochet hooks or knitting needles. Other tools that may be useful are: counters, markers, stitch holders, dot savers (knit only).
Second — it’s nice to have someone who can help you. This person doesn’t have to be a full-fledged teacher, just a “advisor” – someone you can turn to if you have questions – because let’s face it, even the best how to knit or how to crochet book can be confusing at one time or another in my first attempts at learning to crochet. , I’m stuck with a certain type of stitch. Despite reading the description several times, I could not get it to work. It just didn’t look right.
Luckily, I was back home from college during the winter break. I also had what worked with me at a friend’s house (not sure why – again, I promise you, I wasn’t a loser!). Her mother had been crocheting for years and I took this opportunity and asked her for help. He was able to show me exactly what to do. That fixed me and I’ve been crocheting pretty well on my own ever since.
My knitting “advisor” was (and is) my mother. After receiving my first knitting how-to book, I knew I would have some questions. I learned that some of my friends also want to learn how to knit. So we held a “knit night” and learned it all from my mother. It’s a good social hour and quite educational! If you can find a few people to do this, I highly recommend it.
Knitting and crocheting are great pastimes. I’m no expert, but I’ve learned to do both. There are great resources out there for others to do the same. Find yourself a good how-to book and that “advisor” you can turn to when you’re stuck, and be well on your way. I never finished that college afghan but I’ve knitted a few dishcloths, baby blankets, girls’ sweaters since then, and now I’m knitting another girls’ sweater. If I can do these projects, anyone can! So go get started! Learn to crochet, learn to knit today!
Lorie DeWorken
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