Now that we have firmly established my advancing age (thank you all for the birthday greetings!!), I will describe how I officially became a crotchety old lady.
“Crotchety” refers to someone given to odd notions, whims and grouchiness, and the term “crotchet” denotes a small hook. I have never been a crocheter and never planned on becoming one. This is not to diminish crocheting in any way, it’s just that I’ve got enough on my [knitting] plate without adding a whole new line of crazy! BUT, there are some knitting patterns that require a bit of crocheting and on occasion (damn that Ravelry!) I will stumble upon something very cute done in crochet (see below!).
Case in point: my dollar pattern:
I bought this pattern for a buck during the recent Shop Hop and love it. I already have the perfect yarn and was excited to think about starting it…but then noticed that the cute scallops at the bottom are created using crochet. Oh, the horror.
Luckily, while in Duluth this past weekend for daughter’s soccer tournament, I happened to stop in one of the local yarn shops — Yarn Harbor (I had to do SOMETHING in-between games!!). What could I buy in this very cute and well-stocked store?? I saw this and thought I should give it a chance:
Learn to Crochet in Just One Day
I told the clerk that I would be back for a refund if the title proved wrong…it didn’t! No refund necessary! I did indeed learn the fundamentals of crochet in one day — or actually one afternoon. Just the basics to be sure, and I’m not saying I could make anything, but I did learn how to single, double, and triple crochet, slip stitch, and half double crochet. When I got home and read the Lacy Cardigan pattern, I understood all of it except for reverse single crochet — after checking YouTube, I found out how to do this last necessary stitch.
Here is my very novice swatch.
I decided to try to make a little something to see if I could read a simple pattern. Here is my rendition of the Fan Bookmark, a popular free pattern on Ravelry:
Fan Bookmark, Size 1.25 mm hook, DMC Perle Coton #8
Close Up View
I’m sure that “real” crocheters will find many errors, but I am pretty proud of my lil bookmark! So, it is official: I am crotchety!!!
The absence of needles confounds me. I’ve tried through books and videos, but find myself confused with the use of just one needle/hook. I really need to learn if I’m ever going to do broomstick lace. I’m going to check this book out. I love your bookmark.
Comment by rudee — June 17, 2009 @ 11:13 am
Lovely! I taught myself to crochet from a magazine when I was 10. Although I don’t do much beyond granny squares, I can still get the job done when I need to. And the border on that sweater? It’s going to be divine!
Comment by Kym — June 17, 2009 @ 11:26 am
Oh, oh! Now we’re going to be seeing all these granny square afghans. That’s the only reason I’d learn to crochet!
Comment by Maria — June 17, 2009 @ 11:53 am
How wonderfuly the Fan Bookmark!
Comment by vicky — June 17, 2009 @ 12:34 pm
I think you did a beautiful job crocheting that bookmark. I started out as a crocheter.
Comment by Jaclyn Bailey — June 17, 2009 @ 1:09 pm
WOW, I am so impressed with how quickly you learn! Obviously, you are a natural at everything…. The bookmark stitches are lovely!
Comment by Karen Slate — June 17, 2009 @ 2:03 pm
It’s beautiful! What a wonderful job. Congrats on finding your way into the world of crochet… you’ll never be allowed to leave! LOL
Comment by BeckyS — June 17, 2009 @ 2:24 pm
Not being any kind of a crocheter (although crotchety), the bookmark is simply gorgeous.
Happy Belated birthday, Susan!
Comment by Carrie K — June 17, 2009 @ 3:49 pm
Congratulations, it looks beautiful. I need to learn how to crochet to make a Waldorf doll’s hair wig and that really scares ; but I guess I should give it a try…
Comment by Moineau16 — June 17, 2009 @ 4:09 pm
you are a natural!
Comment by twinsetellen — June 17, 2009 @ 9:01 pm
Susan, as we’ve discussed at Thursdays @ 4 it’s pronounced Craw-chet-ing!
Happy belated birthday! I’m buying cookies tomorrow night. and yeah,go figure, you’ve learned how to crochet in a day, probably more like an hour, you are a mad-woman with yarn in your hands!
Comment by Deb (RangerKnit) — June 17, 2009 @ 10:06 pm
Congratulations! Your bookmark looks very nice, so much so that I think I will make it too. I learned to crochet when I was a child and find it much easier than knitting although I now prefer to knit. I didn’t start knitting until 3 or 4 years ago and now I am an addict.(vbg)
Comment by Shirley — June 18, 2009 @ 7:02 am
Now you can teach me!
Comment by Surly — June 18, 2009 @ 7:25 am
Beautiful bookmark! I learned crochet first, but only use it occasionally for potholders and edges. I crochet very tightly, usually!!
Comment by Jan — June 18, 2009 @ 9:59 am
Wow Susan, good for you! The bookmark is beautiful!
Comment by RuthieJ — June 19, 2009 @ 7:37 am
You know what is next, right? Tatting…
Comment by Needles — June 19, 2009 @ 9:22 am
Ohmygod. THAT’s what you make after one afternoon of learning basic stitches from a book? It’s beautiful, I’m very jealous.
Comment by Patricia — June 28, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Thea crochet hook was first used to connect panels of bobbin lace. Now crochet is very popular. I am teaching myself Irish crochet. My other interest are tatting and making smocked dresses and bonnets.
Comment by Donna Kelly — May 2, 2010 @ 8:38 pm