Crocheting Quest!

I am super excited to announce that I have officially joined the crocheting world! I learned to crochet when I was just a kiddo; however, I gave it up and had only mastered one long single crochet and covering hangers. Yarn-covered hangers really make a pretty cool gift and are a super neat craft for the kiddos - under adult supervision, of course.

(Single Crochet Stich - Photo: http://www.fourgoodcorners.com)

(Yarn-Covered Hanger - Photo: www.pinkdaisygirl.blogspot.com)

For you non-crocheters out there, a single crochet is shown above; it is the base of majority of crocheting projects and is the easiest part, in my opinion. Because I never learned how to turn and continue past the first row, I never actually learned how to make anything! LOL

Well, thanks to a friend’s inspiration, I have embarked on a quest to learn everything there is about crocheting! Jessica recently made a pretty scarf with little pockets that I just fell in love with. I have occasionally thought about picking up some yarn and a few needles to give it other go but I guess I just never found my true inspiration. When I saw her handy work, I knew I had to give it another shot.

I don’t remember the exact day I began again (it’s been about a week) but I just up and decided to go to the craft store; I bought some needles, some cool purple and green yarn, and the coolest little carrying bag (with holes at each end for the yarn!)

With the bit of effort I have given, I can honestly say that I am quite proud of myself already! While I always had a crocheting passion, I didn’t necessarily know if I had true ability. I am learning to give myself a bit more credit and now, I think I can, I think I can! I have practiced a bit on and off this past week inbetween statistics reading and grueling problem work and have found myself rushing around to get back to crocheting. Pretty fun.

I used the same area of yarn for several attempts, practicing with a few tries at a row of single crochet stitches. These were pretty horrid attempts and my fingers felt like they were going to fall off, but I knew it would get easier. I did and redid until I was happy enough with my technique to move on to the next row for the very first time in my life! I practiced this a few times as well before I realized something very important... I was doing most everything wrong! No wonder it was so flippin' hard! I was pulling the "yarn over" the wrong way and was pulling another part over instead of through. I undid some of the mistake and tied it off; from there, I continued the correct way so I could look back at my success in the future.

(The curly part was my first try and the rest that falls closest to my ring was the best attempt; after I learned my misakes!)

The correct way is much easier and much more fun! I saved my first ever double row (shown above) and decided I wanted to start off fresh with a scarf, in honor of my first inspiration. =) And so it began... at this point, I have completed three full and correct rows for my first crocheted scarf! Wooo hooo, crocheting here I come!