Back with a question.. Does anyone here still crochet?

[Jen414]

I knit. My gramma and great aunt taught me when I was little. I didn't take it up again until my gram died 4 years ago. I asked my gramps if I could have her bag of knitting needles and he gladly gave them to me. I think I have every size needle and crochet hook there is. I took a refresher course shortly after she died and it did come right back. My great aunt had a tradition of knitting each new member of our family a Christmas stocking and when she died, my gram took over. I decided I couldn't let that tradition die with her. I have since made a stocking for my 2 nephews, my niece, and my parents. I have made several baby blankets--I'm working on one now for my SIL who is due in May. Then I have to get going on her baby's Christmas stocking and my DSis's fiance's stocking. I feel especially close to my gram when I'm knitting--there is actually the beginning of a baby blanket on one set of needles that she had started before she died. When my sister has a baby, I'm going to finish that one for her and it can be from both me and my grams.

I would like to learn how to crochet. I have tried several times with a book, but I'm really much more of a visual learner. The local tech school is offering a course starting in a few weeks and I'm thinking of enrolling.

 

[C.Ann]

I knit. My gramma and great aunt taught me when I was little. I didn't take it up again until my gram died 4 years ago. I asked my gramps if I could have her bag of knitting needles and he gladly gave them to me. I think I have every size needle and crochet hook there is. I took a refresher course shortly after she died and it did come right back. My great aunt had a tradition of knitting each new member of our family a Christmas stocking and when she died, my gram took over. I decided I couldn't let that tradition die with her. I have since made a stocking for my 2 nephews, my niece, and my parents. I have made several baby blankets--I'm working on one now for my SIL who is due in May. Then I have to get going on her baby's Christmas stocking and my DSis's fiance's stocking. I feel especially close to my gram when I'm knitting--there is actually the beginning of a baby blanket on one set of needles that she had started before she died. When my sister has a baby, I'm going to finish that one for her and it can be from both me and my grams.

I would like to learn how to crochet. I have tried several times with a book, but I'm really much more of a visual learner. The local tech school is offering a course starting in a few weeks and I'm thinking of enrolling.

Awww...that's such a sweet story.. I feel the same way about quilting - which I learned from my grandma.. That final baby blanket will be such a treasure for your sister!

Take the class.. I'm sure you'll catch on very, very quickly..

It's important to keep these arts alive and well - especially when they're connected to such wonderful memories and result in lovely gifts that can be passed down through the generations - or donated to those in need of a little "warmth" or a little "love"..

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Well, I knit (self-taught from a book), crochet (self-taught again). My grandmother only crocheted and when she taught my mother how, she sat her down in front of her (facing her as she crocheted) so my mom couldn't teach me how to do it since she learned how to crochet backwards.

I have since learned that if you learn to knit first (and learn "american style" - that is holding the working yarn in the right hand) it's usually harder to learn to crochet, where the working yarn is usually held in the left hand.

I also embroider, tat, hook rugs (that I decided to learn how to do left handed, for no particular reason) and sew.

That's assuming that I have nothing else to do. I have 3 kids, so I pretty much only crochet or knit these days, when I have time.

 

[tiggger1]

my neighbor gets hers from ocean state joblot and walmart as well as Michaels. Her church is making the hats for the newborns and Ill ask her what she uses.

 

[C.Ann]

my neighbor gets hers from ocean state joblot and walmart as well as Michaels. Her church is making the hats for the newborns and Ill ask her what she uses.

Ocean State Job Lot? Really? I was wondering if they carried yarn or not.. There's a store not too far from here so I'll have to check it out.. Thanks!

 

[tiggger1]

ours always has a ton.. a lot of baby yarns. Its the good stuff too!

 

[C.Ann]

ours always has a ton.. a lot of baby yarns. Its the good stuff too!

Baby yarn too? Okay - definitely checking it out THIS week!! Thanks so much for that info.. I probably really shouldn't be spending more money, but what the heck - it's for a good cause and I'm enjoying myself at the same time.. Sure hope that our store has a good supply!

 

[KiminChicago]

Let's see, I crochet, embroider, quilt, tat and sew thanks to my grandma and my mom. When DD and her dance team needed matching robes for a dance routine they are doing in competition this year, I volunteered to make them, rather than trying to find 3 identical robes in such varying sizes. My mom and I had so much fun wading through 10 yards of pink fleece trying to cut out a girls size 10, a girls size 14 and a ladies medium and not confusing the the pattern pieces. We always have such a great time getting together and working on some hair-brained (as my mom always puts it) project that I've gotten myself involved in. There's always a point where one of us will be trying to figure something out and we'll both get so confused and giddy that we laugh so hard we're crying. This year my DD started to show an interest in learning how to sew (or at least share in the general goofiness) so I think my mom and I will be working on a few more projects and getting DD involved.

Has anyone else here ever done quilling? My mom has a set of Christmas ornaments that I made for her years ago that she has promised to give me. They're too delicate to hang on a tree anymore, but I may try framing them so I can display them.

 

[C.Ann]

Let's see, I crochet, embroider, quilt, tat and sew thanks to my grandma and my mom. When DD and her dance team needed matching robes for a dance routine they are doing in competition this year, I volunteered to make them, rather than trying to find 3 identical robes in such varying sizes. My mom and I had so much fun wading through 10 yards of pink fleece trying to cut out a girls size 10, a girls size 14 and a ladies medium and not confusing the the pattern pieces. We always have such a great time getting together and working on some hair-brained (as my mom always puts it) project that I've gotten myself involved in. There's always a point where one of us will be trying to figure something out and we'll both get so confused and giddy that we laugh so hard we're crying. This year my DD started to show an interest in learning how to sew (or at least share in the general goofiness) so I think my mom and I will be working on a few more projects and getting DD involved.
.

Glad to hear this.. There are so many people today that can't even sew on a button - let alone follow a pattern to make a piece of clothing.. My mom was a wonderful seamstress - made everything from wedding gowns to drapes to reupholstering (sp?) our furniture - and often with her own "brown paper bag" patterns.. I used to make pj's for all of my kids and lots of clothes for my girls.. When my DGD was born, I made outfits for her as well until she reached school age..

I've never tried to knit, but I sew, crochet, quilt, embroider, do counted cross stitch, etc.. DGD (11) is interested in just about anything "crafty" or "handmade", so hopefully she too will learn and use all of these talents in the future..

 

[Phedre]

I've never crocheted to donate to babies because I'm too nervous that I wouldn't do a good enough job for them. I recently found an organization near me that takes donated crocheted blankets for animals in shelters and I'm now in the middle of making a stack of blankets to donate there. I don't know much about yarns though. I usually just grab whatever feels soft from Jo-Anns

I know someone else mentioned ravelry.com and I love that site too. So many great patterns, plus I've found people really helpful if I get confused with a pattern.

 

[wowsmom]

I taught myself to crochet about 18 years ago - my sister suggested that I learn and make a blanket for one of our other sisters, as a way to not gain any more weight. Seems you can't eat and crochet at the same time!

I ended up really taking to it and am still going strong. I've made full size afghans for most members of the family, plus a lot of friends (and have sold a few as well). I've made scarfs, a lot of hats (although many of those were made on the Knifty Knitter), a few pairs of mittens (my dad's hands don't work in regular store-bought mittens), and more baby blankets than I can count. I donated some to the NICU where DS12 spent a few days after he was born and for the past 4 years or so, I give them to my mom, who donates them to a group at her church who helps single mothers.

I've used Caron SimplySoft for many, many blankets. I love the weight of it for the blankets and it is very soft and not scratchy. I've also used it for a few hats, but I don't feel that it stretches as well as something like Red Heart.

I don't think I've ever used the baby yarns - I get too annoyed with how thin they are and how long it takes to finish a project!

I pretty much always have some blanket going...I'll finish one and start the next within a few hours or the next day, at the latest. Lately, I've been trying to do ones that use up my leftover yarns....a skein of this, two skeins of that...and I've been doing a lot of my crocheting while waiting in carline at school.

The city where I shop, the JoAnns has a better yarn selection than Michaels but their prices are pretty much comparable.

 

[pumba]

I am going to a craft store today and will look at some of their ideas there. I love to crochet ....Once I tried the knitting and it looked like the moths got to it before I could finish....that was what my hubby said....
He does the sewing in the house with MY Sewing Machine.
I am still working on my sons crochet blanket for his couch in college....Of course he graduated almost 19 years ago....Found it in my locked up goods..hahaha.....I am still working on my grandkids blankie for the car and SHE IS going to be 4.....I did finish one.....and he will be 6....
thanks for making me rethink my projects and get rid of them.

 

[4nana]

C.Ann, what a wonderful project you've taken on . Not only is it enjoyable hobby good for your spirit, but think of the many patients that will enjoy your talent, love and generosity . I used to really enjoy crocheting many moons ago, also used to make our girls clothing, but sadly doing such now takes a toll on my wrists . Thankfully our oldest DD took up the hobby years ago and has crocheted many beautiful blankies to welcome each new blessing born in our circle. Even our little 10yo DGD has began taking up this creative hobby. Glad you've found a fun entertainment and keeping yourself involved, keep up the good work!

 

[piglet50]

it's really neat to read about all of you who can knit, crochet, etc. it's so great to hear about how everyone learned (i learned from my grandma, too) and that many are teaching their grandkids. there is a really good site for crochet but i'm not sure about posting it on here. if you're interested, please pm me.

 

[Maridw]

I have been doing some crocheting lately. Mainly to make things for my granddaughter-to-be. I have been making booties, sandals and bonnets. I have been using #10 size crochet thread only because the pattern book I had called for that for all the patterns in the book.

I made two bonnets for ORmom2four. I will be sending them to her this week. Here is a link to a thread that shows the booties and sandals I made.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2380663

I don't work with regular yarn too much. I have been thinking about making some bonnets to take to one of the local baby shops to see if I can put them on consignment.

I also learned from my grandmother. I still have the things that she made for me when I was a baby and when my DD was a baby. Plus I have tablecloths and afghans that she made me.