My favorite creation in most recent months is this one-of-a-kind tortoise memory game. Inspired by my aunt’s tortoise and my first cousin once removed, I was so excited to make this little friend! Learned the importance of creating patterns with yarn you have, and purchase what you need for the project so you can get the same dye lots–especially for a memory game!
I loved making this piece and was so happy to get it to it’s new home.
I was a two-pack a day smoker – 40 cigarettes a day friends, that’s smoking like it’s my job. It was going to take more than the patch (which I did use NicoDerm CQ and followed it’s instructions to the letter) to help me quit. While I did track my progress on my Smoke Free app, kept a journal and had a partner-in-crime for quitting that helped immensely (husband Nick), I also needed a habit to help with my fidgety hands, which brings us to crochet. Light enough to travel with, endless yarn, stitches and patterns from keeping it being too monotonous, easy to do while also catching up with your favorite shows and also requires enough focus to stay… ‘hooked’. Not to mention how amazingly affordable most projects are and a low entry level cost to get started. My mother and her father (Grandpa Don) were also crocheters, and it’s a nice small way to feel connected I think!
Featured images from left to right: My first attempt at basic character interpretations. This was also during the release of the first season and such a fun way to participate in the fandom. These adorable Nike baby booties, made in Creighton Blue-Jay blue.
With a combination of YouTube videos to help me learn the basics of the tools and techniques, and Pinterest to inspire me with projects and patterns, I was off. I spent time learning how to chain and I learned new stitches based on projects I was inspired by. I now have a closet full of yarn, an afgahn I’m still working on from day one, and another incredible medium to keep creating and giving with.
If anyone has any experience with making their own yarn colors, especially with natural fabrics and dye, I’d love to know more please comment below or DM me!
Below you’ll find a few of my creations during my first few years as a crocheter, along with a handful of tips if you’re thinking of starting to crochet on your own.
Why crochet over knit?
For those that don’t know, crochet is one needle with a hook on the end, knitting requires two needles with no hooks. To figure out what would fit my needs past that, I took to Pinterest and started looking at projects that inspired me. I combined that in speaking with a few friends who also crocheted or knitted to get their take, each feeling strong in their choice of hobby. Remembering my mom crocheting as a child, and finding my Pinterest board filled with a few more crochet projects than knit, I opted to learn to crochet.
How long does it take to learn?
Like all great art mediums, how you want to create is up to you. I was able to teach myself how to chain, and practiced that for about an hour. Using just chaining and a few extra flowers and beads, I made myself barefoot sandals. So from teaching to completion of a project a couple hours! With each project I allow myself a few hours to work with a new stitch or new yarn to help work out the kinks. The more you crochet the quicker you’ll be! Full disclosure, I have made a bag that could fit a queen size bed, a hat large enough for a grizzly bear’s head, and a leg warmer that was larger than an XL arm sleeve on a man’s sweater.
How long does it take to make something?
Standard adult size headbands and beanie hats, made in heavyweight yarn, can take 1-2 hours. Everything else, I allow myself about 30 minutes to learn a new stitch and about an hour to review any patterns or math. After that, there’s a few factors. Smaller weighted yarn items can take longer to crochet if they’re larger than 6”. While patterns may be smaller or stitches simple, if there’s lots of joining (combining pieces) or color changes, that will add some time.
Any advice?
Learn how to roll yarn balls where fresh yarn pulls from the center.
Get yourself organized, this can be kind of clutter inducing, so I was able to have a dedicated shelf and I have TWO organizing kits. A small one with a wristlet on it to travel projects with and a larger one that houses my bigger projects and is a permanent home for all the additions I’ve picked up like plastic eyes, loose felt for tooling and a bit of stuffing for when I crochet characters.
Get a counter. I lost track counting a thousand times and project times were constantly extended because of this. I have a digital finger counter, I never could figure out the other ones.
Check your work periodically and often. I can’t tell you how easy it is to miss a stitch and just keep trucking along, only to have to unravel an hour of work in a matter of seconds.
There is no project you can’t teach yourself. You WILL figure out that stitch. You WILL finish that project.
Fun bonuses were having a way better understanding of knots and having them come in extremely handy while camping. This is also my go-to zombie apocalypse skill that I will bring to the table — anything from clothing to fishing nets.
Let’s stay
connected
