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I'm hooked! Learning to crochet...

Since I've got more confident with knitting, I've been thinking I should learn to crochet too.  I did make a couple of finger crocheted rag rugged after a lady at our local permaculture group gave me a quick lesson, but I had not yet mastered the crochet hook.  I had the basic idea though, from all the finger crochet, so I really just had to sit down with some wool and a hook and one of my many crochet books and figure it out.

My first grannie squares

If you want to learn to crochet, I recommend finding someone patient to show you, even a quick 15 minute lesson is better than nothing.  At least you will have the feel for it.  I spent ages looking at diagrams in books, but I really needed someone to show me how to hold the yarn and the hook before I could follow the diagrams.  If you can't find anyone to show you in person, here is a really good youtube tutorial.  This is also a good refresher to help you remember what you learnt.  I like the way the presenter explains the technique and talks through every step.





When you master the basic stitches, you're going to want to make some grannie squares!  I think the most fascinating thing about crochet, particularly if you're coming from a knitting mindset, is that you can crochet straight lines, or you can go around.  It took me a while to see the difference, but its important.  While knitting is really only two dimensional, crochet can create 3-D shapes.  Also its very quick (but a little holey!).  

Here are the two grannie square tutorials that I used to make the squares in the photo.  Be careful though, grannie squares are a little addictive.  I kept thinking, just one more round and I'll stop.  I think that's how rugs happen.....

basic granny square pattern

honey and roses granny squares

I kind of want to crochet a nice scarf using some alpaca wool and this pattern, but I really need to finish the knitted scarf I started, and now its spring, eek!  I better get knitting fast!

So what about you?  Do you crochet?  Or knit?  Or both?  How do you think they compare?  And what tips do you have for beginners?

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Comments

  1. I'm a knitter, but a good friend taught me to crochet (in a very basic way). I prefer knitting but crochet does have it's attractions too. I have made hundreds of little granny squares and triangles ready to be sewn together into a jacket, but they are all still in the bag as I am not sure how to join them.
    My advice is to try both and you will discover whether you are a knitter or a crocheter. Follow your addiction.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jude, that's good advice! Try youtube, I'm sure you'll find some instructions for joining those squares :)

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  2. Love the pattern on the one up top right in your image liz! Im struggling to learn both....thanks for the video, im sure it will help. Xx kel

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  3. Crochet is very addictive, i have soo many blankets its not funny. I crochet while watching tv then it feels like im still doing something and not just a couch potato and i catch the train a lot so granny squares are perfect. summer is the only time i take a break as it find its too hot.
    Im not a knitter, i have made a few things but i find its just too slow.
    i hope you enjoy your new adventure in crochet.

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    Replies
    1. Yes! I agree it justifies TV watching because you're multi-tasking! I can't crochet on the train/bus though, I tried knitting in the car (as a passenger!) and just dropped stitches all the time...

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  4. Thank you for the Video! Didn't crochet for a long long time so have forgotten it already. Like your grannie squares. Happy crocheting!

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    Replies
    1. I reckon you can pick it up again though, your body doesn't forget...

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  5. Uh oh not the crochet bug! I knit and crochet, but I prefer crochet especially with the fancy stitches and patterns that are around today. It also makes up quicker than knitting, but crochet does use more wool. The internet is a wonderful tool for learning just about anything :)

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    Replies
    1. yes, I like how quick crochet is, knitting seems to take FOREVER now!

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  6. I love that Honey & Roses granny square, if you want to make enough I'll show you how to make a bag..............if I ever get to a permie meeting again

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    Replies
    1. thanks Judi! If I ever make it to another one!

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  7. What a great crochet video for a beginner or refresher for someone that is picking up the craft again.


    Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop! I hope you’ll join us again next week!

    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino
    The Chicken Chick
    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. This post really spoke to me. I learned to crochet years ago... but never more than the most basic stitches. And I couldn't follow a pattern for anything!
    But a couple of week ago I *finally* learned how to make a grannie square. And I'm hooked!
    I chose this as my featured post for the From the Farm Blog Hop this week! I hope you'll be joining us again! :)
    ~ Christine from @Once Upon a Time in a Bed of Wildflowers

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  9. I've started too. Have made about 20 large granny squares so far with the hope of making a lovely throw rug. At this rate I might have something by next winter.

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    Replies
    1. Well that's something to aim for :) Good work Karen!

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