Anyone Crochet?

I was looking for something to help occupy my time that would be creative. I have pretty much spent my time either on the computer, reading my books or watching movies. It gets old after a while so I figured since my mom-mom and great aunt could crochet maybe I could give it a shot. I found a really good set of videos on YouTube by this lady that has a whole section on lefty crochets along with how to make different things. So far its only been one day but Ive made something quite on accident and it turned into a hat that I can torture the cats with..LMAO **Ill try and get some pics tonight to post tomorrow**

But I was wondering if there was anyone else out there that crocheted and if you had any tips or help you could pass my way while Im trying to teach myself!!! I know how to do a single crochet stitch and just figured out how to do a half double crochet stitch. Once I get what Im hoping to be a doilie (sp?) done Id like to try and make something else. Im hoping to get good enough to make a nice comfy woobie blanket for the couch or maybe something nice and warm for Franklins bed.


Thanks for your help...Ill try and post some pics of the cats with their hat on and maybe some pictures of what Im working on right now...



**BTW: my hands are killing me..It is going to take a while of doing this for them to stop feeling old and creaky!

I crochet on occassion (my aunt taught me when I was a little girl). I only know two stitches, so I might not be much help!

Sometimes I find the videos on youtube to be helpful for other things I'm trying to learn. I would look around there and see if you can find some good instructional videos

I am left handed and can crochet. I love to do shell patterns, but I cannot put a border on anything to save my life. I have a book that I bought at Michael's (a craft store in our area) that shows a lot of different stitches. It's not patterns, just various types of stitches. I would recommend a book like that because you'd be surprised how easy and repetitive some of the fancy looking stitches are. Shells are breeze, once you get the hang of them.

I got a book that is supposed to teach yourself how to crochet in 8 hrs. However I was messing everything up with that. I did look on YouTube and found a GREAT set of videos. http://www.youtube.com/user/tjw1963?...70/OIOPcQJhJ_o
Thats the link to the page that Im actually on right now. Its really helpful. Plus the way she explains it and has slow motion spots to be able to see what shes doing easier. Plus I can stop pause and go back if I need to. Its awesome. Im trying to make a doilie for my coffee table right now but Im just kind of winging it and doing it by feel.

My whole goal for learning this is to make blankets and stuff like that. Maybe a beanie for my BF. Im actually having a lot of fun doing this its like tapping into a creative part of myself that I havent really used in a long time. Maybe one day Ill talk to BFs gram and see if I can borrow her sewing machine to make throw pillows for the couch and a dog bed. Im a really good sewer, I constantly have to perform surgery on Franklins loofah dogs so they can live to see another day.

Oh heres another question I have if anyone crochets...Does anyone know how to make animal clothes...I just thought of how neat it would be for Franklin to have a sweater his mommy made just for him...Plus if I made it I would be able to customize it to fit just right for him. His chest is so deep that most clothes at Petsmart dont fit him right. Ohh geez I feel so geeky Im really starting to get excited about learning how to do this and make stuff....


**The book I bought does have the different stitches in it but I couldnt understand it very well and was messing it up. But the videos tutorials I found are helping me along with the book that I have.**

This was my first crochet attempt http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=210873

I am basically self-taught with a few tips and tricks learned off of youtube. Since I couldn't do anything for 3 months, I sat here and crocheted and made a bunch of hats and scarves. The more I did it, the more I figured stuff out. My SIL says I have a very awkward technique, but it works for me.

I do some crochet work, mostly doilies because I like the patterns, particularly the pineapple ones. Also am left handed and it made learning, well, um, interesting. I finally sorted out that if I held the hook still in the right hand, and worked the cotton with the left, I could follow patterns and do edgings and have them work out properly. Apparently, it looks silly but it works for me.

I taught myself from some booklet from some magazine in the late 50's, early 60s when the booklet was new. Check around, lots of craft books to learn from, and if you learn with cotton first, wool goes pretty quick after.

You may want to try going to the library! Those craft books can be expensive! And I know our library has a pretty good selection! Thats where I get all of my knitting books.

I've thought about teaching myself to crochet, too. I'm pretty handy at other crafts, so figured I could manage this. Any tips on what size hook and what type thread/yarn to start with?

My grandmother tried to teach me and I ended up with a chain that was yards long. I eventually taught myself from books (pre-internet days) but have found that there are a lot of videos out there that help with particular stitches. I like to be mindless when I'm doing crochet so I have stayed with afghans. Clothing requires me to pay attention more. I have made little blankets for the cats' carriers which gave me practice on various stitches. And I've done some stuffed toys.

My other grandmother did table cloths in beautiful thread crochet. I haven't the patience for that.

Some of the blankets:

For BIL:


For a co-worker's baby


My snowman for Secret Santa.

I went and got a starter kit thing at Micheals it was like ten bucks and just two things of regular (worsted med) yarn in colors that I liked and were neutral for my house. The book that came with the kit helped get me started but wasnt the greatest. I found on You Tube "The Art of Crochet" (her user tag is tjw1963) She has all kinds of step by step tutorials on there for how to do diff stuff and stuff for left handed people. I made a wide head band last night and tested it out by going outside and my ears stayed nice and toasty and it actually looks good. But I would go that route to teach yourself how to start because I have only been doing it for 3 days now and can actually make stuff that looks normal!! )

Heres a picture of the start of my headband.


Heres a pic of me wearing my finished headband....Now keep in mind its after 10 at night I was tired and look like I ran to hell and back..LMAO..


And heres a picture of Fatman wearing my first accidental creation that just so happened to fit the cats head..LOL

Great job. For a first project, your gauge is very nice. I think you are going to enjoy it a lot.

Thank you for the compliments. I try very had to keep everything tight and together looking but I havent master being able to pull off a looser stitch. Im going to keep trying though.

I love it I have so much fun making stuff. I just have to get my hands and wrists used to it. The hand that I broke is having some major issues working in long stretches so I take a few breaks so my hand doesnt protest too much.
Im going to look online and see maybe if I can find something to make sweater for Franklin. I have such a hard time finding stuff to fit him good because he has such short legs and such a deep chest and maybe I can make him something that will fit him comfortably. Eventually I want to make comfy blankies for the couch and one for Franklins bed.

You will find your consistent tension with practice. Even then, you will find some days are more relaxed and looser than others. Be sure to take breaks about every 15 to 20 minutes to stretch your hands, arms and shoulders so you don't end up with tendinitis or carpal tunnel.

I try and take a break every five rows. If I dont Ive found that my pinky will start shaking and cramping up really bad. And I have to crack my knuckles constantly like they are holding every ounce of tension from crocheting.

I feel so geeky learning how to crochet but it gives me a since of satisfaction actually doing it and I dont want to stop I just want to keep doing it all day long. Im getting ready to search online for some patterns for small purses. My daughters birthdays are coming up in Feb and April and I would like to make them something they can use and will love.

I sometimes knit and it is very cute knitting around cats. My cute baby reaches for the tied tassel when I am knitting.