Channeling my Inner Martha Stewart
Posted on: April 21, 2011
- In: Life
- 13 Comments
On my updated 30 before 30, I decided to learn to crochet. Last Friday I took the girls to Hobby Lobby to buy my supple of crochet needles and yarn. While walking the aisles, I had visions of crocheting afghans, baby blankets and cute girl sweaters.
Then I got home.
And I realized maybe, just maybe, I should stick with learning to crochet a pot holder. Because, while crocheting hasn’t been hard to learn, I’m no Martha Stewart, and have as much creative talent as a monkey. So a pot holder it will be.
After the weekend, this is what I had:
Some how, I got my rows off and the pot holder has taken on a trapezoid shape. Not to mention the knots {is that what they are called??} aren’t all very tight. I decided to take a break and work on the other yarn that I got. It started off well, but then {thanks to a certain 3 year old who will remain nameless} my rows were unraveled. Which meant I ended up redoing a lot of my work. So, my pot holder isn’t quite the size I was going for. Maybe it’ll turn into a doll’s baby blanket?
Have you ever crocheted? Any advice for this novice?
Visit Alicia at Alicia’s Homemaking for more Try New Adventures Thursday.
13 Responses to "Channeling my Inner Martha Stewart"
April 21, 2011 at 8:25 am
I found this YouTube user’s videos very helpful:
http://www.youtube.com/user/tjw1963#g/c/59FA9DF4C757945B
April 21, 2011 at 8:36 am
Oh yay, crocheting! I had loose stitches when I started, too…you’ll get the hang of it! I should make some potholders…mine look horrid.
And Sarah, you are very creative! What about all your aprons?
April 21, 2011 at 8:45 am
I love crochet! Knitting has been my latest creative project, but as soon as I finish my latest knitting project, I will be going back to crochet, I think. 🙂 The loose stitches will get tighter as you get the hang of it. It has to do with thread tension (how tightly you’re holding the ball-end of the yarn and how tightly you pull your stitch before making the next one.) The thing I love about crochet is that it seems to go so fast once you get the hang of it that you have a finished product quickly, which is important for my motivation. 🙂 My mom crochets all sorts of things, like swiffer covers and stuff. It’s a handy skill! 🙂
April 21, 2011 at 11:36 am
I love to crochet. Just make sure you are counting your stitches as you are a beginner so you end up with the same amount you started with!
A great site to visit is crochetspot.com. Rachel will promptly email you back if you have any questions and she has a lot of free stuff to do as well as tutorials. Keep up the great work!!
I’m making dishcloths and granny square afghans right now. Love the colorful-ness (I made up a word!) of them.
April 21, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Way to go on starting to crochet!
Let’s just say that that’s not my thing. I sure wish it was because my mom sews as well as most of my friends and it looks like such a great thing to be able to do. I’m more into scrapbooking but even that hobby has slacked lately.
April 21, 2011 at 1:34 pm
No I haven’t ever crocheted before. But my mom does it all the time. And this post really has me inspired to learn! Did you just start teaching yourself?
I’m SO going to try to learn this with you! 🙂 I’m thinking Christmas gifts!!
Rosann
April 21, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Alicia S – Thanks for the video. Any videos I can get are great, cause I do much better seeing someone else do it than looking in a book.
Jessica – that’s how I was with knitting. Completely forgot as soon as the lesson was finished!
Alicia – thanks for the sweet comment. Maybe it’s just that I don’t feel like I’m all that creative.
Snowflakes – with my second project I was starting to get the stitches tighter, but it’s taking some practice for sure!
Sara – I’ll check out Rachel’s site, thanks for the recommendation!
Miranda – I tried scrapbooking. Once. Let’s just say that’s not my thing. 🙂 Not a pretty sight.
Rosann – I bought a starter kit from Hobby Lobby, but have mostly been watching You Tube videos for tutorials, as the book that came in the kit made me way too confused. 🙂 And you should totally join in the crocheting fun! Take about fun and cheap Christmas presents!
April 21, 2011 at 4:18 pm
Pot holders, now that’s a project I can get behind and possibly finish. I think it all looks great for a first try. When I started knitting it took me 4 hours to cast on one row which is basically just tying knots with one needle. When the other needle was introduced it was a few more weeks before I could hold them at the same time. Anyway, you’re doing great way to tackle another item on the list!
April 21, 2011 at 6:03 pm
I crocheted my son a baby blanket. Its about 30 minutes from being finished and has been that way for over two years. 🙂 However, I wasn’t a huge fan of the crocheting. I’d rather sew and quilt. I’m glad I know how to, though, because I’d like to teach my daughter how to some day. It’ll part of her “practical arts” curriculum. I need to learn how to knit next, but I think I’ll wait until I’m ready to teach her. We can learn together.
Also, a little tip for helping to make stuff “not trapezoid.” I put a pipe cleaner in my last stitch as I finished it so I would know it was the last one when I came back around. It worked great and saved me a ton of time, since I had been constantly second guessing about where the last stitch in the row actually was.
April 21, 2011 at 6:31 pm
I know how to knit….a scarf, and that’s about it, but I don’t know how to crochet. I hear that it is easier than knitting, so one day I may try it…perhaps a future New Adventure for me. =p Your potholder doesn’t look too bad if that is your first time crocheting anything.
April 22, 2011 at 8:22 pm
When I tried to learn it was disastrous and ended with me throwing down the needles and walking away. i’d say you’re off to a great start!
A Wife Loved Like The Church 
April 21, 2011 at 8:00 am
They look like a great start! Your making it further than I did. My grandma showed me how years ago and I promptly forgot after the visit. Way to try new things! (Especially with toddlers around! 😉