Heartwarming

My first memory of crocheting was playing with some yarn, and my mother teaching me how to make a single crochet. I didn't know that is what I was doing then. I would sit and just work on that one stitch, and in my head I would pretend that I was going to make all these really great things. I would repeatedly make a chain then pull it out, make another chain and pull it out. Eventually, as I got older and was probably 12 when I started bugging my mother to teach me something else. So we went to Wal-mart and picked out this Multi-Colored Yarn that had matched my cheerleading uniform. She taught me how to do the broomstick stitch. I began making my first blanket. I actually still have it tucked away in my closet. It has been through a lot since then. It is 13 years old and it looks worn but it was what soon started me towards a life of crocheting and yarn collecting. I never really finished the blanket, but years later I fastened it off and put it away because I didn't want anything to happen to it. Soon after I attempted to make a hat, but I couldn't read the pattern very well. My mom started helping me because I didn't understand it. but I never finished it. That was my first big mistake. I began a pattern of starting things, but never finishing them. As I got older, I would go out with friends and would crochet everywhere I went. They use to make fun of me because I would be in the midst of a party, and I would be in the corner crocheting granny squares. So now I still have bags full of granny squares and never put them together..:D I am 25 now and well I am so very glad my mother taught me the basics because without that I couldn't have taught myself to crochet. I have a little boy that was diagnosed with cancer last year and it really means a lot sometimes when we go into the hospital and someone hands him a crocheted hat, because I know that someone sat and took the time to care for someone besides themselves. This will be something that I will hopefully get the privilege of teaching my son and my daughter. Throughout all the years though it all starts back to my first blanket made so many years ago on my front porch.

- Britney Griffin

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Posted in: Why I Crochet

Why I Love Crochet

Growing up with my Grandmother was sometimes lonely for me. There were no other siblings present I could spend time playing, acting mischief or even discussing our future dreams when growing older. Although my Grandma; bless her heart was loveable, she was strict to infinity. As a Teenager, I was not allow to be with friends my own age, God forbid dating…. This was out of the question. High School was fun, but I did not go to my Prom as she did not allow it.  I was taught to respect your parents and in a way I was afraid to revel. I guess my love for Crocheting began as a Frustrated Teenager growing up without any Freedom to just be a Teenager.  One day while shopping with Grandma at a Craft Store, I purchased a Filet and Lace Crochet Pattern Book and decided to teach myself how to crochet. My first project was a small Round Table Cover with a Pineapple Pattern using Cotton Thread. From this point on I was hooked to this Craft and have never looked back. I supposed the reason why I fell in love  with Crochet was the desired to escape my strict and boring Teenage life. Today my Love for Crochet still strong and continue to find new ways, techniques to improve my Craft. Keep on Crocheting!!!!

- Maria Rios

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When and Why I Crochet

My story is a two-parter.

Part 1:

In Junior High School and High School, I tried all kinds of crafty things. My Mom taught me to sew, but sewing for myself was a bummer -- nothing I made fit right, or looked right. So, gave that up quickly. Next Mom tried to teach me to knit, but my projects turned out so wonky I soon gave up in disgust. Finally, out of desparation, Mom handed me a crochet hook and yarn and showed me all she knew -- chains and single crochet. THAT WAS IT!!!! I found my crafty niche! I taught myself every aspect of crochet, broomstick lace, filet crochet, hairpin lace as well as the usual pattern stitches. I made scarves, hats, scrunchies, even a sweater or two. Of course, afghans as well. Then I graduated college, went out into the work world, got married, had kids, you know the story . . .

Part 2:

Soon after moving into our 100+ year old farm house a couple of years ago, my husband became disabled. After numerous trips to the doctors, spinal cord surgery, recovery, more doctor visits, I was close to a breakdown. I needed something to occupy my long waiting room visits and keep me sane. So I unpacked a personal box that was in storage, dug out my old set of Boye crochet hooks and bought some cheap yarn.

The rest, shall we say, is history! I am now crocheting every spare minute (yes, I'm addicted!) and now I'm also designing my own patterns. I crochet hats for cancer patients with yarn donated from my best friend and dabble in new techniques. My anxiety attacks are gone. I am able to relax and recharge. And it was sure a heck of a lot cheaper than therapy!

-Shellie Dunn

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I ♥ Crochet

When I was six, my grandmother and great grandmother, they taught me to crochet. Just basic stitches at first, then they taught me patterns. The three of us will make hats, scarves and Afghans. In my early twenties, when a friend was having a baby, I always made the baby blanket. Then real life hit: work, school, being an adult and I did not make time for the pastime of my youth. I took eight years off from crocheting and recently starting again when I decided to make an afghan for my twenty-six nieces and nephews for Christmas. When I say recently, I mean in February 2011.

I picked up my hooks, my skeins, and went to Joann’s and took an introduction to crocheting course. It all came back to me. I remembered how much I loved to crochet. I remember how I loved mixing of the various colors. I remember how good it felt to complete an afghan for someone else. I started reading on the Internet about the new trends in crocheting. I found new trends such as, mixing a bulky skein with a fine skein, or using bamboo or upcycled materials to create scarves, hats or bags. I got so excited, and I just started hooking away.

I started bringing my projects to work, and found out there were several other ladies who crochet and we started a crocheting group. We bring our projects to work two times a week and crochet. If there are questions regarding patterns or stitches, we help each other. Three of my co-workers are working on the same pattern; it is awesome to see the different takes on the same pattern.

To be honest, I hope I never forget how much I love crochet. Even when life gets busy, I hope to continue to work on one project. When my nieces and nephews get older, I hope to teach them how to crochet, so that they too will fall in love, with crochet.

-Jameelah “Jam” Woodard

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When and Why I fell in Love with Crocheting

I fell in love with crochet as a small child, watching my mother work her yarn.  I truly believed that she was a magician.  She turned a boring ball of yarn into something beautiful; an afghan, a scarf, a sweater.  As a child, I believed that MY mom was the only mom who could do that.  Shortly after my siblings were born, my mom stopped crocheting, and the magic was gone.  As I grew up, I forgot all about it.

It wasn’t until many years later that I was reminded of my love of crochet.  One Friday night, my best friend, Kat, came to my house SO excited to show me what she had learned the night before.  A friend of ours had taught her the basics of crochet: the chain and the single crochet.  Kat was in love.  She dumped her “bag of goodies” on my living room floor, and handed me a hook.  It was like the scene in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”, when he holds his wand for the first time.  I honestly believe that I heard the Angels singing.  Kat showed me the basics, and I was hooked.  Har har.  The next day I went and bought more hooks, more yarn, more pattern books.  I scoured the internet to find free patterns and online tutorials.  The more I found, the more addicted I became. 

Now, I’m a full fledge yarn addict.  You can, quite literally, find yarn and WIPs (Work(s) In Progress) in every room of our house, including the garage, excluding the bathroom (I think …).  My son has a room full of Amigurumi animals, we have a closet full of crochet hats and scarves, afghans adorn our sofa and crocheted purses are leaking out of my closet.  I now give my creations as gifts for every occasion, and am asked, quite often, to create special things for people.  My goal is to eventually make it a career.  I want to share my love of crochet with as many people as I can.

My mother has since picked her crochet hook back up.  She makes beautiful baby layettes.  She calls me when she gets stuck with a pattern, and we work through it together.  I guess I’m the magic one now … J

-Christine Tartt

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Why I fell in love with crocheting

My name is Leeann Keirl I am from Belleville Michigan and I am 47 years old.

My mom started me knitting when I was around 6 or 7 years old. Mom is a knitter and a tatter from way back. I hated when she would give me a project to do and she would want to check my work. She would have me in tears and I just wanted to give up! I would get so much done and be so proud...but...MOM...would fine one little mistake and rip it allllllllll OUT! UGH! I would be so MAD AT HER!

When I was older my mom decided to go to the Brothers brand knitting machines. She bought several of them and started a little business. I was excited and I worked with her learning how to use the machines. I would love to have one of those machines but mom will not let them out of her sight! She is now 82 years old and is not able to knit anymore. It is very sad to see that mom doesn't spend her days knitting anymore. She still talks about it and thinks that she still uses her machines but she hasn't touch anything in about 1 1/2 years. The last thing she made was a blanket for me. I am tall so she was so concerned about getting it long enough for me...but...it is only about 20 inches wide. It is my little joke but I will cherrish for all of my life!

So, with mom taking my work out has made me so much better. I continue to do the same thing in my own work now as an adult. I have gone as far as being almost done with a project and not like the way it is turning out and just start completely over! My partner just looks at me and shakes her head and ask me if I can't just hide it! ARE YOU CRAZY?? MY MOTHER WOULD HAVE A HEART ATTACK! LOL

Throughout the years I have knitted here and there. Not really getting into it. Back about 6 or 7 years ago I was just wandering down the yarn isle in a store and I came across a Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal crochet book (which I have lost and cannot find again :( ) and I decided to buy it. It was full of crochet patterns. I taught myself how to crochet on these projects! What was I thinking? I did one Tigger for my youngest son and I was going to make so much more...well key word is was!

Then last year my daughter told me she was going to have a baby...Yeah I am going to be a grandmother!

When my daughter was born my mom had knitted her this bright yellow and blue blanket (for Michigan of course). Again my daughter is almost 20 years old. She STILL carries that blanket with her. It looks AWFUL! It is dingy and full of wholes and she will not give it up. My mom has offered and offered to replace that blanket but Mollie won't have it!

So, seeing how much she loves her blanket I wanted to do the same thing for my new grandbaby. I picked up an easy pattern and began crocheting away thinking this would be it. I will make one baby blanket and be done.

Well, everyone had complimented me on it and of course I got a big head. But I am not really into the "girly" thing. I started looking for NASCAR patterns and found a Dale Sr. hood pattern. I have started it twice now. It is a huge project. Me with my ADD, had to put it aside and start on something else and put the NASCAR blanket aside for a bit.

I thought "Wow, rainbow stuff!". So I have started making lapghans and such using the colors of the rainbow. I am addicted. I have used plenty of the Mexicana Red Heart yarn. As well as trying to use up the spools and spools of yarn my mom still has from the machine days.

I have also began to draw out my own designs on graph paper too. Mostly rainbows of course. I can't wait until I have the time to actualy make the designs that I have drawn. I am looking for some kind of program that I could use that I could just draw it out on regular drawing paper and then put a picture of it into a program and have it all charted our for me. But I have found that they can be expensive :(

I really would love to get into a business where I could sell my items. It takes me some time to get stuff done because I work full time, my youngest is 13 and of course...the new grandbaby!! Sometimes before work I pick up what I am working on and I just want to stay home and crochet all day and get that blanket done! But, I know I have to make the money to buy the yarn! :)

-Leeann Keirl

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Why I love Crochet

I tried to learn several times over the years and about 4 years ago it just finally kicked in. I am addicted to it now. I love being creative with what I can crochet with yarn. I think my favorite so far is my chair. A small end table, stool, bar stool and ottoman are soon to follow.
 

-Denise Royal

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Why I fell in love with crocheting

Having only ever knitted two things in my life, that both grew twice as large as they should have.... I spent my youth painting and dancing, persuing non-verbal drama and mime.
When I was 27, I decided to buy a ball of Pastel Rainbow cotton and a crochet hook, after seeing the lovely yarn a friend had just bought 2 balls of. I decided to only get one ball and a hook, and asked her to teach me.


She taught me the basic chain stitch as we returned from a festival we'd been working at, and to make chain loop crystal pouches and berets. Telling me to go to an opp shop (thrift store), and get any crochet pattern there. It would have the abbreviations to make the other stitches for me to learn.

Having a half finished crystal pouch on the go, I tried out the Treble Stitch (Double Treble US), on to the inch long pouch, and voila, it flared outwards !

No longer a pouch it began to turn into a conical shape and Voila, my first Gum-Nut Pixie hat began to take shape! The pattern I had purchased was of a sixties cap with a star pattern, so I began to read my first pattern, not something I have done very much of since then, BTW ! lol

I wore this hat everywhere, and people at my Saturday morning Market in the hills, were constantly asking me to make them one just like it !

So began my role in our community as a hat maker, which is funny, because at the age of 16 I said, " When I grow up I will have a Hat Shop ! ; having just bought a huge bag of old ladies hats from an opp shop, or opportunity shop as we call them in Australia.

Opportunities as a Beanieologist (Hat Maker), continued as I constantly 'freeformed' hat after hat, trying to replicate my hat for my friends. Some were down right horrible, in my mind, 'tho not in the eyes of others. One such hat, of a weird shape, became the favourite hat of someone I re-met recently, and she told me how much she loves that hat still.

What I love about crocheting, is that it is constantly teaching me things, often by accidental 'mistakes'.....and that I can take my art wherever I go. I travelled this vast continent for 12 years as a Crocheting Nomad, and even made a hat detailing the journey. And also...... you can't 'Drop' stitches or Add them on without realising...... like in my two early knitting experiences, One hook and a ball of yarn and magically a fine fabric grows...... It is such a calming occupation I even take it into the Dentist chair and do a few stitches in between nasty processes ! and it relaxes me and focusses my mind !

I mostly always 'Free Form' my work, and have won several awards at the annual Beaniefest in Alice Springs in Central Australia, out near Uluru (Ayers Rock). At present I am working on my competition entry for the year's theme "In Our Element ...Earth, Air, Fire and Water" and a Coral Sea Wrap for a local Fibre Exibitition.
I will blog about them soon and post pix on my Flickr page too
http://www.artnomadix-meg.blogspot.com     http://www.flickr.com/photos/artnomadix

- Megan Jack

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Crocheting and Me

Crochet has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. My Mum learnt to crochet when I was about 7yrs old, and I kind of learnt right along with her. I remember spending many hours in the back seat of our car, while my big brother was playing football and cricket, crocheting and knitting things for my dolls.

Crocheting is particularly special to me, as I was able to  crocheted a Baby Blanket for each of my children (Georgia and Alexander), except for my baby boy (Zachary) that I lost when he was 7 days old. I was so sick in hospital when he was born, that I wasn’t able to make him a blanket. Luckily my Mum was there to do this for me, and we wrapped him in this very special blanket before he was buried.

I am a craft-a-holic, and always have had some little project to work on….Crocheting, knitting, cross stitch, wool embroidery, scrapbooking or sewing. I have spent most of the last 10 years doing kid-craft with my 2 children, but now that they are both at school it is time to do my own thing again…and that means CROCHETING!!!!

I am in love with yarn and all the wonderful things that you can do with it, and Crocheting works the best for me. Mostly I make beanies, scarves and blankets, but through the internet I have discovered a whole new world of fantastic things I could make that I am never sure what to hook next!!!

I have found it hard in Australia to find others that Crochet or even a good variety of pattern books, so when I come across all of the lovely hookers on Let’s Crochet it blew my mind!!

Sadly, for my husband, my 11yr old daughter has also been stung by the Crocheting bug too…..so here’s to years of happy hooking with my beautiful girl!!!

-Vanessa from Australia

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Why I Fell in Love with Crochet

I used to hate all crocheted items. All of them. My grandmother knitted and crocheted throughout my childhood until she passed away at age 88. Her house and her body were always displaying new finished projects. I loved her knitting, which led to becoming a knitter myself, but I did not like her crocheting. There was just something about it... In high school, part of Home Ec. class included handwork skills and they taught us to crochet a classic granny square. I hated with a passion the way it looked and that square never went home with me.

Fast forward 30-odd years (to perhaps 2009?) to a Martha Stewart Living program that airs a small segment on amigurumi. She shows us a couple of pieces that are cute and I’m mildly intrigued, but I do not check into it further. Fast forward to July 2010. I’m surfing the ‘net and I spot this super cute little critter. It was like an emoticon come to life! I was in urgent need of finding out how that adorable critter was created. It was obviously handmade, but how? I followed links and there it was—the dreaded word “crochet” loomed before my eyes. I was shocked speechless. I thought there must be some mistake, so I read the words again—“crochet pattern.” I decided at that very moment that if something that cute could be made in crochet, I just had to join that club!

I became instantly hooked on crochet because I had a burning need to learn how to create those tiny bundles of amigurumi cuteness. When I realized there were free patterns available on the Internet, it was like Christmas and my birthday rolled into one! I began to discover the nooks and crannies where free patterns could be found, and I found more than I could ever have imagined! I found an unbelievably wide variety of adorable, beautiful, fascinating, simple, complex, amazing, functional, and ornamental projects. I was astounded that there were so many crocheted items I actually liked the looks of—I had no idea!! I’ve been bookmarking sites, collecting patterns, learning techniques, and planning and working on projects ever since.

From the Internet’s plethora of videos tutorials, I learned to make a magic circle which has become the way I now start every project. From fellow crocheters, I learned tips and tricks and I revel in their helpfulness and friendship. From that moment last July, I’ve learned that every spare moment must be spent finding patterns, picking out the next project, frogging sweaters, or working on another gem. I also had a flash of recall and feverishly dug through my closet to unearth the ancient crochet book my mother had passed down to me years ago. I had used her knitting books since I was a kid, but I figured I’d never use that crochet book. Now I’m so glad I kept it! From it, so far, I learned the single, double, half-double, and treble stitches. I also discovered it was the source of my beloved loopy “bunny” (actually a dog) my mom made for me when I was very young.

To date, I’ve crocheted (in order) a candy kiss, a s’more, a thick wavy-edged hotpad, a bunny, two bogies, a teddy bear, and some swatches. Not much to show for the past 10 months but, then again, I’m a tremendously busy woman who doesn’t have much spare time. Over that time, I’ve ripped out and restarted far more things than I have finished. Truth be told, some were ripped out and restarted 40 or 50 times before I either got it right or gave up and moved on. But I am learning. I realized, even with the limited crocheting experience I have, I now know how to read any type of crochet pattern, why a certain step in a pattern doesn’t work, the value of using stitch markers, how to regulate my stitch tension, and what a particular sequence of stitches will look like. I’m actually learning something brand new and that, in itself, is a wonderful thing. There is so much more to learn and I’m sooo excited!

I still don’t like the look of a classic granny square, and that may never change. That’s just me. But there are so many other types of gorgeous squares, and such a wide variety of patterns and projects out there, it doesn’t even matter. I’m hooked on crochet and that’s here to stay!

-Wendy Trish

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