Crochet

okiron

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How hard would you say it is to learn how to crochet? Would you say things that are knit or crocheted more durable? I'd love to learn how to make ponchos but trying to see how much of a learning curve it'll be for me before I run off and buy supplies.
 

natalie_ca

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Crocheting is a whole lot easier to learn than knitting. Plus it's not so hard on the fingers.

When I try knitting I tend to make the stitches too tight and end up struggling to get the stitch off of the needle, and the constant pressure of the kneedle against my finger trying to push the stitch off results in blisters.

You can get one of those "for Dummies" or "for Idiots" books that can teach you to crochet. It's very easy, and so much faster than knitting.
 

buzbyjlc10

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I just started crocheting!

My biggest piece of advice, is find someone (or a video, online or otherwise) to show you how to do it... I had gotten a few books and tried just by their directions and couldn't get it - my mom's friend showed me in 5 minutes and I got it! It does take a little bit of practice, but once you get the hang of it, it's not a problem at all!

Check out your town and see if there's a knitting/crocheting "group" around... lots of towns have groups of people that gather to do needlework and just chat (as well as help each other)... also, there are very knowledgable people at the craft stores - the bigger ones like Michaels and Jo Ann often have "how to" clinics, so you can look into that

What's really cool is you can practice all you want without wasting materials! I picked up a really cheap ball of yarn and practiced my chains and stitches a million times, simply pulling it apart each time

I've chosen to start with a simple dishcloth before working my way up to some more difficult things like clothes and big blankets... my "ultimate project" that I want to eventually do is a big Red Sox blanket - I found the pattern online (that's another cool thing, there are tons of free patterns online if you just google)

Well that's my general opinion so far... I've got a few people (in person and online) that I can go to with questions... feel free to ask if you've got any - if I can't answer them, I'm sure someone I know can!
 

bonnie1965

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When I learned to crochet, I had a woman at work try to teach me. For some reason, I just couldn't get it. I finally just bought a booklet on learning how, an "I" hook and a skein of yarn. Sat down and taught myself the basic stitches. I've made afghans for everyone I know
Nothing complicated, though. You'll be able to whip out a baby afghan in just a couple of evenings


Never did learn to knit but I think it looks interesting. Also haven't crocheted in a few years because of school and work but know I could pick it up again.

Have fun!
 

lsulover

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Originally Posted by BuzbyJLC10

I just started crocheting!

My biggest piece of advice, is find someone (or a video, online or otherwise) to show you how to do it... I had gotten a few books and tried just by their directions and couldn't get it - my mom's friend showed me in 5 minutes and I got it! It does take a little bit of practice, but once you get the hang of it, it's not a problem at all!

Check out your town and see if there's a knitting/crocheting "group" around... lots of towns have groups of people that gather to do needlework and just chat (as well as help each other)... also, there are very knowledgable people at the craft stores - the bigger ones like Michaels and Jo Ann often have "how to" clinics, so you can look into that

What's really cool is you can practice all you want without wasting materials! I picked up a really cheap ball of yarn and practiced my chains and stitches a million times, simply pulling it apart each time

I've chosen to start with a simple dishcloth before working my way up to some more difficult things like clothes and big blankets... my "ultimate project" that I want to eventually do is a big Red Sox blanket - I found the pattern online (that's another cool thing, there are tons of free patterns online if you just google)

Well that's my general opinion so far... I've got a few people (in person and online) that I can go to with questions... feel free to ask if you've got any - if I can't answer them, I'm sure someone I know can!
I have been crocheting for about a year now, I also got a friend to show me how and it was much easier, I have done a LSU blanket and it was so much fun, if you want to know how to do that, pm me and I will see if I can tell you how.



That is before I pulled all the threads through, but it is real pretty once I did that

Originally Posted by Bonnie1965

When I learned to crochet, I had a woman at work try to teach me. For some reason, I just couldn't get it. I finally just bought a booklet on learning how, an "I" hook and a skein of yarn. Sat down and taught myself the basic stitches. I've made afghans for everyone I know
Nothing complicated, though. You'll be able to whip out a baby afghan in just a couple of evenings


Never did learn to knit but I think it looks interesting. Also haven't crocheted in a few years because of school and work but know I could pick it up again.

Have fun!
I have made afghans for everyone too, and the funny thing is, I have yet to do one for me.
 

trouts mom

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Originally Posted by LSULOVER

I have been crocheting for about a year now, I also got a friend to show me how and it was much easier, I have done a LSU blanket and it was so much fun, if you want to know how to do that, pm me and I will see if I can tell you how.



That is before I pulled all the threads through, but it is real pretty once I did that




I have made afghans for everyone too, and the funny thing is, I have yet to do one for me.
Wow Bea, that is awesome!!
 

katachtig

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Crocheting is much easier that knitting. I tend towards afghans as they tend to be easier though it takes me a long time to finish projects as I go in spurts.

I will try to track down some good links that I have.

This one took about a year for me because I kept taking breaks from it.
 

ping

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Learning to crochet is not to difficult IMO. I learned 2 years ago with just a booklet in the internet. And I was completely clueless on a lot of things like how to make a slip knot before I learned to crochet.

I crochet a lot of afghans such as round ripples and huge granny squares. I also make a lot of dish towels, wash clothes, soap savers, plastic bag holders etc.

I say give it a go. I bought a kit for 12.00 at WalMart that had 5 different size hooks, stitch markers and the booklet. Then just get some cheap worsted weight yarn (Red Heart is a good brand to start with and cheap).

Also http://crochetpatterncentral.com/ has a lot of great free patterns.

Originally Posted by okiron

How hard would you say it is to learn how to crochet? Would you say things that are knit or crocheted more durable? I'd love to learn how to make ponchos but trying to see how much of a learning curve it'll be for me before I run off and buy supplies.
 

Moz

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I don't crochet but my mom does. If you're like her, when you get the hang of it, afghans and baby clothes will be flying out your yazoo!
 

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I'd done both since I was around 12 yrs. old. I have to say I prefer crocheting - it's much easier to fix if you mess up a stitch and I find it faster. With both knitting and crochet, practice and experience will make your pieces better. As you practice you'll learn how to get your tension correct which makes a big difference in your finished piece.

My mom taught me to do all those wonderful crafts as she was a whiz at all that stuff. She used to rip apart old army coats and make my winter coats out of them without ever even using a pattern. She was the "bee's knees". She and my MIL both told me my tension was better than theirs.

My MIL tried to teach me to tat but I'm afraid I didn't catch on very well. MIL makes wonderful lace and it's a joy to watch her tat.
 

mrblanche

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Originally Posted by okiron

How hard would you say it is to learn how to crochet? Would you say things that are knit or crocheted more durable? I'd love to learn how to make ponchos but trying to see how much of a learning curve it'll be for me before I run off and buy supplies.
My wife teaches knitting at a Joann's Fabric store. She can teach crochet, also, but that's not her forte.
 

EnzoLeya

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Crochetting is MUCH easier to learn! I'm not a fan of counting and when knitting it's pretty important to keep track of your stitch count. Crochetting you can get by without counting once you get the hang of the stich movement, tention, and look. My granny taught me how to crochet when I was 8 and I just taught my little sister last year and she was 11. My sister picked it up within a few minutes and by the end of the 2 hour plane ride her stitches were looking almost as good as mine! And I've been crochetting for 13 years!


I made all of these scarves for the family as Christmas presents.
 

laureen227

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actually, i think they're both pretty easy. i prefer the look of knitting, [especially for garments] & it doesn't hurt my right hand as much as crocheting does.
i think crochet makes sturdier afghans & blankets, tho.
 

swampwitch

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I figured out how to crochet on my own without any instructions - it is very easy! I made a doll for our daughter several years ago and needed to crochet the "cap" for her head (you tie the long yarn on to the cap for the hair). It was SO simple.

I still don't know how to knit but our ten-year-old does.
 

yosemite

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Originally Posted by laureen227

actually, i think they're both pretty easy. i prefer the look of knitting, [especially for garments] & it doesn't hurt my right hand as much as crocheting does.
i think crochet makes sturdier afghans & blankets, tho.
Actually I'd have to agree with you here. I knit a cotton top for myself a couple years ago with a very intricate pattern and it turned out beautifully - I won first place in our local fall fair with it. I just like the patterns one can produce with knitting better than those for crochet. My mom was a big fan of the pineapple in crochet but I found it a bit too old-fashioned for my taste.
 

strange_wings

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^ I agree, knitting looks so much nicer for clothing. There's all the fancy frilly and fluffy yarns now, too.


I can crochet. I learned back when I was 10 or 11 from my grandmother -who was left handed. It's not particularly difficult, all you need is to practice so you get the feel of it. While I did make some little stuff off and on for a few years I found it too tedious.
Same with embroidery. I'm not sure if my hands would handle the stress of something like that anymore.
 

yosemite

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

^ I agree, knitting looks so much nicer for clothing. There's all the fancy frilly and fluffy yarns now, too.


I can crochet. I learned back when I was 10 or 11 from my grandmother -who was left handed. It's not particularly difficult, all you need is to practice so you get the feel of it. While I did make some little stuff off and on for a few years I found it too tedious.
Same with embroidery. I'm not sure if my hands would handle the stress of something like that anymore.
Gosh, I have to tell you I loooooove embroidery. I did 36 squares for a quilt for my daughter - it took me 5+ years but it was worth every hour. I find it very relaxing.
 
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