When I saw a little notice on E for Ethel facebook page about crochet classes for newbies I just knew I had to get involved. I have always wanted to crochet but never made the time & certainly didn't know where to start.
The class was perfect for me. $15 for a basic kit of yarn, needle, beverage & raspberry muffin, in E for Ethels cafe, amongst friends for 2 hours.
Bliss.
Here's my first square! Bit wonky, but I made it! Exciting! Like I need another hobby!
Naturally being all enthused, I have been scouring for a good book & I think I've found one that is pretty popular. It has various covers & the cover on the left is out of stock at my fave place, BookDepo, but I noticed the same book with pink cover is not only in stock but its on special & SUPER cheap!
You can check it out HERE or by clicking on the picture. $12.18 - can you believe that? This is the book I will be following along with first if you want to join me on my crocheting journey! No doubt I'll be adding others as I go along.
So anyway, the class was awesome. I however, was not so awesome. In fact, I found it incredibly difficult. My brain would just not compute the stitches, the terminology or the pattern. The teacher [also Kate] explained so very well as did my friend Louise, but I just couldn't get it to sink in. I'm so not a good student. Anyway, after seeing some pictures of what we were supposed to be making and practicing over & over, a couple of basic stitches, things finally started clicking in the last half hour of the class.
Here's my little chain stitch:
And then I progressed to practicing the pattern and doing the little inner circle which them expands out to be the square.
Before I knew it, class was over. I trundled off home in time to put the kiddies to bed. Made Jeff and I a late dinner, fixed a new bed for our little man who had been sick & finally into my warm bed to crochet the night away. I was determined to finish my square last night.
I started to look more closely at the pattern instructions, look at the picture of the final square and came to realise that I could not make the two work. In my mind, the pattern didn't match the end result. I decided I would ignore the pattern and just go with my instinct of how I thought would deliver the end square and I got it. I don't know whether the pattern is wrong or whether I am just not good at following instructions, or both, but I was much better and just working it out myself.
I absolutely have to work on my tension & how I am holding my threads. I am a bit all thumbs at the moment which is making my stitching very loose & wonky. Practice.....
So, now that I know a huge, 2 whole stitches, and have completed a massive, one single square, I think its time to go pro.
I went and bought some lovely colourful cottons & a needle set. It is certainly possible that I will never ever pick up a crochet needle in my lifetime again, but at least I have a very cute basket with all the stuff ready to go should I get the urge to crochet again.
We'll see!
Wish me luck!
Kate xo
