18 January 2012

the hooked end of the learning curve

I long for one of these blankets. Isn't it the most beautiful thing you ever saw? Presumably it's okay to long, no, make that lust for something if you plan to make it yourself? Minor hitch though. I can't crochet. So I'm pretty far from obtaining said blanket.

But one quiet evening last week, I dug out the tail end of a ball of wool and decided it was time to crack open one of my Christmas books. Kirstie's Homemade Home contains two pages of diagrams showing you how to do something mysterious called "double crochet", which Kirstie assures the reader is the easiest and most durable type. It seemed like as good a starting place as any.

Four hours later, having cast on for about the billionth time, I managed to make a swatch of fabric that vaguely approximated crochet and that, crucially, wasn't triangular (I couldn't seem to turn rows without decreasing at each end... sometimes more). But I have no idea if this is what double crochet is supposed to actually look like!

Don't worry, I haven't squandered next month's rent on my own bodyweight in grey Madeline Tosh yarn just yet, as I think it's safe to say that a Granny-stripe blanket is still a fairly remote fantasy!

Linking up with the lovely Yarn Alongers.




Doesn't Ginny's new button in the teal shade just match my crochet perfectly?!


25 comments:

  1. Well done!! You've got to start somewhere right?? x

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm dreaming of a crochet blanket this year too, but have the same minor problem - can't really crochet. But I'm working on it. That rug is very lust-worthy and your sample does indeed look like something resembling crochet. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've made a couple of crochet things and still seem to decrease randomly at the end of rows! I think the key is to remember to chain 1/2/3 at the end of each row before turning, but I could be wrong ;)

    I absolutely love the blanket in your link. I hadn't seen it before and it is so gorgeous and classy.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great job getting started with crochet. I'm in about the same place, I always tell myself I will learn, but never have time between knitting projects.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You did a great job crocheting! My mom is a big crocheter and says it's easier than knitting.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I also have been coveting that blanket!! I promise crochet gets easy quickly!! I had my aunt teach me a basic granny square first and then I learnt the rest on you tube!! Good Luck!

    ReplyDelete
  7. It sure looks like you are a crocheter now to me!!! Adore that blanket!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. well done on the swatch..crochet terrifies me !

    ReplyDelete
  9. I learned crochet as a young girl, and though I have no desire beyond single rows -- love those neat and tidy single rows -- I enjoy it. I learned to knit continental because the motion is so similar. Chain one extra stitch before you make the first stitch on the next row. Also, instead of going into a clean "hole" on the first stitch, I poke my hook in a spot closer to the edge. There are many videos available online if you need help. The ones at nexstitch have been helpful for me.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I haven't heard of that book - my daughter may be interested in it - thanks. I like the idea of knitting a blanket too (and would want to make it out of nice wool yarns), but the thing would end up costing a fortune to make. I love the color of that yarn.

    ReplyDelete
  11. The blanket you linked to is so pretty. I have a blanket in my mind for our living room, but still need to sit down and learn that double crochet thing, too ....

    ReplyDelete
  12. i use to crochet... i wonder if i could still do it? lol that blanket is very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have had my eye on the blanket for a little while and I agree it is gorgeous. Good news, crochet is alot easier than it seems just start with the basics, ch, single crochet, then half double and THEN double lol. At the end of each row, ch1 if you are doing single crochet, ch 2 if doing a half double crochet st and 3 (even though I only chain 2 even for double crochet) chs for double crochet then turn and start on the first st. If you need help finding the first real st of the row just put a marker on the last st before you do your turning chain and in no time you will learn to recognize it plus you won't end up losing a stitch each time. You can do it!!!! You'll see. If you need any help at all just email me. Tricia @ crunchycatholicmomma.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. you can do it! you'll have your blanket in no time at all. i heard that crochet is not only easier but quicker than knitting! what you've done so far looks great to me!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Good for you trying something new. I've had a few tries at crocheting, but I just keep on going back to knitting, so you are doing far better than me!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Congratulations on the crochet work! It can be so satisfying because it works up much more quickly than knitting.
    Warm wishes, Tonya

    ReplyDelete
  17. Perfect button! :)
    My dream for this year is to make a crochet blanket too - although one with lots of little squares; you are brave to dream of those very long rows - but in the end it's all worth it I'm sure. I can do just about double crochet, but it hasn't been enough for more than a few potholders yet.
    But who knows, maybe we'll both get our blanket this year?

    ReplyDelete
  18. EVERYONE learning crochet does that thing where it turns into a triangle! So don't worry about that, it's easily fixed and your stitches look nice. I love to crochet but always seem to like knitted things better so I am finally learning to knit. I knitted all through 2011 and it is still hard for me. I think you will see great results with your crochet very quickly. Marking the last stitch in the row before you chain and turn is excellent advice (yay Crunchy Momma), and very soon you will learn to "see" that first stitch consistently. Even though I am very good at crochet, I still sometimes lose a stitch on a row, so I also count my stitches on each row. Or every few rows because crochet is easy to pull out and re-start. If I have lost a stitch, I just pull it out to the last row that had the correct number of stitches and then go again. I absolutely believe you can make that blanket NOW. Warm wishes, Kerri.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I tried crochet several times, and every time I tried to make a square, it came out much less like a square than it should be :-) I like knitting because I can see the stitches on the needle, and while I still drop stitches all the time I feel like I can fix it better :-)

    ReplyDelete
  20. That blanket is fabulous. You'll be crocheting it in no time. Your bit of crocheted fabric looks beautiful by the way.

    I'm off to amazon to check out the book you mentioned.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great job on crocheting! I think you are doing a lovely job!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh yes, perfectly matched!! I had to stop myself at eight buttons.

    ReplyDelete
  23. The chain at the end is the key to not decreasing. Also even tension is pretty huge (especially for when you tackle that granny stripe). Crochet is really different from knitting, but I think it's easier. Hang in there and you'll have that gorgeous blanket before you know it!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh, I love that blanket! Goodluck!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I say, if you are going to dream, dream big! That is a gorgeous blanket pattern. Your crochet is looking good. Just keep on practicing!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...