Just Crazy for Crochet!

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 19 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #809 in DIY, #13,766 overall

The ABCs of a Clever Craft

When I was about 11, my grandmother taught me to crochet. While I am a little vague on the details, I can remember creating small (slightly lopsided) squares by the dozens before I grew tired of it and quit. I remember trying to knit for awhile too after that, but somehow knitting just didn't seem to click with me at all. Thirty some-odd years later I thought it might make a nice relaxing hobby in the evenings after work,so I bought an idiot-friendly book and learned to crochet all over again.

It didn't take too many of those beginner projects before I was "hooked" (sorry, but I'm a sucker for bad puns :o) I think it is safe to say that my nice, relaxing hobby has transcended those sad little squares to become yet another facet of my creative self; and it's FUN!

NOTE: Like where I store my hooks and small pattern books? If the storage container above looks familiar, that's because it's a plastic silverware caddy (works great, doesn't it? :o)

In case you're afraid...

I'm not going all the way to Z
(well, not today anyway :o)

A#1 Perfect Solution 

I don't know about you, but I hate sitting still. I have also developed a rather intense loathing for TV commercials (except for the supercool ones aired during the Superbowl; they're excused :o) I keep a tote with my latest crochet project by my seat in the family room and work my way through the evening news (I don't have to watch it, I can just listen). It also gives me something to focus on during the commercials (which seem to go on longer and longer these days).

The "Learn To Crochet" book I picked for the Amazon module below is the same one I used - it's great!

TIP: Sometimes I don't have a spare tote, so I just grab a gift bag to put my project in (I almost never use them for presents anyway :o)

 

Blankets are beautiful 

These are wonderful longer term projects (literally AND figuratively :o) to keep you busy. I usually do some quick projects in between to keep me from getting too frustrated (some of the blankets can take quite a while to complete when you don't have large quantities of down time to work on it).

My favorite blanket pattern on the fly? The Q-Hook patterns using 2 or 3 strands of yarn at once - they are not only fun, they're FAST!

PHOTO: This blanket (module pic) was a shower gift to coordinate with a "Sammy the Frog" nursery theme; photos below were all gifts for new babies :o)

P.S. The one in the middle was made with individual squares pieced together. As pretty as it is, I will NEVER do that again (I hate to sew :o)

 

Carry it Anywhere 

(and work while you wait)

I'm not a really big fan of waiting, how about you? I'm not too keen on thumbing through all those magazines at the doctor's office either. Mainly because when you consider the majority of the people that have already looked through them were probably chock full of germs...well, you know - ick.

I can just grab one of my little project totes on my way out the door, and work on it while I'm waiting. Depending on where you're waiting, it can also give those around you a much needed distraction (a community service of sorts :o) I say this because I have spent many an hour in my Oncologist's waiting room (for cancer treatment) and hospital waiting rooms (for testing).

 

Doilies are Dynamite! 

For some reason, the word doily brings to mind a mental picture of "The Cat Lady". You know the one to whom I'm referring: she's about 200 years old, keeps 156 felines (who all live INside), and has little crocheted doilies decorating the arms of all of her living room furniture. I don't know WHY it evokes that alarming image, but it does.

You know what though? I've figured out that doilies are actually pretty darn cool to make, and they look really nice in the home - who knew? (Well, besides the Cat Lady I mean). Make a small one and frame it or use it with a candle for an eye-catching centerpiece; I did!

TIP: Some of the round "table toppers" that you see in people's houses are actually just monster doilies :o)

 

PHOTOS

My favorite doily 

Made an nice addition to a fall centerpiece

Easy Skill to Build On 

Once you have the basics down, crochet is pretty easy to take to the next level. I found a number of patterns and projects I wanted to try, but personally had no use for. What did I do? Donated them to the annual fund raising bazaar at a local special needs school. Everybody was happy.

It's also a fairly easy craft to teach to your children. Think what a wonderful project it would be to teach a group of Girl Scouts to crochet and help them make simple scarves to donate to a shelter.

TIP: The snowflakes make a wonderful handmade touch to a Christmas gift (sprayed with adhesive and sprinkled lightly with iridescent glitter will really knock their socks off :o)

 

Filigree is F-U-N :o) 

In the midst of creating blankets and doilies, I discovered another kind of crochet: Filigree. It utilizes a chart instead of a pattern, and uses a system of blocks and open spaces to create a word or picture. Of course you know I just HAD to try it...

Although it looks rather complicated, it's actually no harder than traditional crochet; it only uses two stitches throughout (the double crochet and the chain stitch).

I am currently working on another large banner for my Epic Farms Etsy Shop (at my current rate of speed, I should have it finished by 2033 :o)

PHOTOS: The names below were custom orders and given as Christmas gifts; I rotated the pattern for the one in the center to accommodate a narrow wall space.

One of these days I might even get around to doing our name :o)

 

My favorite filigree: "Leaping Deer" 

Is that cool or what? (I totally surprised myself :o)

Great Gifts 

Sometimes there are an awful lot more people than there is pocketbook when it comes to gift giving. Handmade crocheted gifts can be just the thing to bridge that gap (not to mention avoiding hurt feelings and/or embarrassment :o) Delicate little snowflakes make lovely small gifts for those "not so close" friends and co-workers.

There are some fabulous pattern books dedicated to gifts and Christmas ornaments (I've put some in the Amazon module below). Enjoy!

NOTE: I made the little magnetic butterflies (bottom left) for the nursing staff after my reconstruction (I was in the hospital for 5 days, so I got to know them pretty well). The butterflies were for the nurses to put on their hospital lockers; they were a huge hit :o)

 

Have a ball, y'all! 

What to do with that leftover yarn

Yarn has become something truly wonderful! The Plain Jane Skeins of the past have been replaced with marvelous textures and tones that lend some serious pizazz to your projects :o)

Leftover yarn is perfect for a patchwork project of your own; although personally I don't sew (I'd rather eat dirt :o) so I'd much rather use it to make some squares to donate to Warm Up America. They collect 7"x9" knitted and crocheted squares to assemble into blankets for anyone in need. Isn't that awesome??

Holey Moley! My grandmother left me her yarn collection... 

so I'm pretty sure I have enough to keep me busy for awhile :o)

I may try knitting again one day, but for now I'd much rather crochet... 

How about you?

Loading Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

Knitting is for knotheads, I'm hooked on crochet!

Dreadmoc says:

i cant knit. i learned to crochet first.you have some very nice things you have made!!!!!!!!!!:)

Posted November 24, 2009

Heather426 says:

I like both, but am partial to crochet...

Posted September 29, 2009

Apryl says:

I know how you feel. I keep trying knitting every once in a while. I try it each time for about a whole hour lol. It just doesn't feel right. It's a beautiful art and I admire those who do it. Just ain't for me. Love your page by the way.

Posted August 28, 2009

ClassyGals says:

I'd say crocheting makes a better craft. I learned to crochet as a little girl by my Aunt Jay. She taught me how to make the most beautiful Victorian doily dolls with fine thread. I wish I would have kept them. Lesson learned save your crocheted crafts!

Posted July 01, 2009

ElizabethJeanAllen says:

My comment ended up on the wrong side but I like to knit almost as much as I like to crochet so it doesn't matter..right?

Posted June 09, 2009

Crocheting is for quacks, I'm nutso for needles!

ElizabethJeanAllen says:

I'm a lefty so my grandmother refused to teach me how to crochet. I finally learned two years ago and I love it. My mother will be coming in another week and we'll be looking for new crochet projects. I see some that I like...

Posted June 09, 2009

 
view all 9 comments

Looking for an official Squidoo Charity to unload all those pesky lens royalties? 

Please consider donating to us (we need all the help we can get :o)

Epic Farms is a small family run non-profit striving to share the big picture with horses. We have kid-friendly programs geared toward area service organizations and small groups; our goal is to share the wonderful world of horses with everyone!

We at Squidoo passionately believe in creating new ways to support good causes online. By making a donation to Epic Farms from this page, you are sending money directly to that organization, in whatever amount you want. We don't touch it. We don't even see it. The author of this page doesn't either. And if you made it this far, thanks for caring.

Cancel

About Me 

Lensmaster Wysiwigs has been a member since April 21 2008, has rated 927 lenses, favorited 615, and has created 52 lenses from scratch. Jen donates their royalties to Epic Farms. This member's top-ranked page is "Momography: Parenting a Deaf Child". See all my lenses

Love This Lens? 

Please don't forget to rate it...I'm going for awesometastic, of course :o)

Add this to your lens »

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Please take a moment to tell me Hi!

submit
  • Reply
    Heather426 Heather426 Sep 29, 2009 @ 9:18 pm
    love this lens! Great job!
  • Reply
    Wysiwigs Wysiwigs Sep 7, 2009 @ 10:35 am | in reply to Wysiwigs
    Note to self: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR TYPING (good grief! :oP
  • Reply
    Wysiwigs Wysiwigs Sep 7, 2009 @ 10:32 am | in reply to mimikmh@comcast.net
    Actually it's a name, but since it's folded in half it is a bit hard to tell). There are a number of afghan patters that are worked in strips, so that would be my best guess. I'm not too familiar with those types of patters because they involve sewing the strips together (and I'd rather eat dirt than sew :o) A blanket of some sort would be my best guess - hope that helps!
  • Reply
    mimikmh@comcast.net mimikmh@comcast.net Sep 6, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
    ??? On this main page; carry it anywhere doctors office: In the middle bag is filigree work. It looks like a cabbage rose. I was at the hospital last week and there was a lady working on this project, but she was putting it together in strips. Do any of you have an ideal how to do this project???? Or what it might be?? It was done with peaches and cream.
  • Reply
    mimikmh@comcast.net mimikmh@comcast.net Sep 6, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
    ??? On this main page; carry it anywhere doctors office: In the middle bag is filigree work. It looks like a cabbage rose. I was at the hospital last week and there was a lady working on this project, but she was putting it together in strips. Do any of you have an ideal how to do this project???? Or what it might be?? It was done with peaches and cream.
  • Load More
Show All

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 

by Wysiwigs

I'm a daughter, wife, mother, artist, horse crazy grownup, scary christian chick, paper folding fiend, acronym junkie, breast cancer survivor and Derm... (more)

Explore related pages

Christmas Crafts - Decorations, Gifts, Giftwrap and More
This Christmas crafts lens is filled with free holiday crafts projects, dec...
Christmas Printables
Need some printable Christmas gift tags, stickers or greeting cards?  How a...
Teach Yourself to Knit!
My grandmother was a super-crafty lady. I wish she was here to teach me everythi...
PSST: Pretty Simple Scrapbooking Tips :o)
SCRAPOLOGY 101: You should understand that scrapbooking is a process, not an eve...
Genealogy 101
Once upon a time, if you were curious to know more about your roots you had to h...
Heritage Scrapbooking for Everyone
I'll be the first one to admit that I just love poking through old photographs;...

Related Topics

Create a Lens!