Anyway, my PND was worsening so I learned to crochet - I decided to learn amigurumi first (it's basically a 1 stitch technique, where you crochet in a constant spiral). Pinterest was always full of this thing called amigurumi and I enjoy new challenges, I'm not especially artistic but I make up for that with my enthusiasm. I used YouTube and Pinterest to watch tutorials and read information - I'll pop some links at the bottom if you want to learn but have bit a wall or just don't know where to start.
My first project looked TERRIBLE
This is a small white Totoro, made using the pattern by Lucy Ravenscar and it looks nothing like it!! But E was happy, so I persevered and have now made a LOT of toys (blankets, gifts...)
I get my patterns from Pinterest and Ravelry (I never buy patterns, there is usually no need) and I frequent my local wool shop and Hobbycraft!
I've even made a few toys of my own design, this is Little Owl from A Bit Lost by Chris Haughton
If you are just starting out, I'd say to get a cheap set of aluminium hooks off ebay, you can get about 8 for the price of 1 in a shop (and slippery hooks are easier for crochet ... Unlike in knitting where a slippery needle means dropped stitches).
This beginners guide ebook at fresh stitches was an amazing help in the basics of understanding an amigurumi pattern (it may as well have been Japanese until inread this).
This is just a page which converts English to US crochet terminology - I have no idea why there are different names for the same stitch!!
This is a handy YouTube video http://youtu.be/eqca00LdmAc
If it takes a while to pick it up, do persevere. It took me ages to figure out my own way - I crochet the wrong way round... With my hook in my left hand. If it feels comfortable, you'll be fine!
I love crocheting, I love that there is so much still to learn and that it's just a few clicks away on the internet. I also love making things for my family (though my husband is probably a bit fed up of all the crocheted tat filling up the boys' bedrooms). The happiness that I feel and observe when I hand them a new toy, or they cuddle something I've made all day, is just lovely. I'm so glad that I invested my 'baby free' time into this lovely and hopefully lifelong hobby!
They look really lovely! #StrikingMums
ReplyDeleteThanks, my work ranges in quality, but I love it
DeleteI've never tried crocheting but this is a great post with some useful ideas, thank you for sharing x
ReplyDeleteI think they all like and would love the owl in my home. Thanks for sharing tips which I am sure will inspire other mums. Thanks for linking up with #strikingmums
ReplyDeleteI often see, 'I wish I could learn to crochet' comments on Pinterest, so thought i could enable the learning of others with my extensive research (it's never learning without huge amounts of googling) x
DeleteCraft is so therapeutic isn't it? A good friend of mine does felting she is amazing at it, I have tried making a few bits and really enjoyed it x
ReplyDeleteIt just feels like a luxury to make the time to do crafting, of any sort. Felting looks pretty complicated, I'm sure I'll try that out in a few years (obviously once the boys are too old to accept cuddly toys!)
DeleteYour owl is so cute! I love to craft and draw. Just wish I had more time!!
ReplyDeleteAfter spending years talking about how I really, really wanted a granny square throw I was finally pushed into learning to crochet after two of my sons tried learning from YouTube and gave up. I promised that, if they went to bed, I'd learn that evening and teach them the following day. I stayed up almost til midnight until, goodness knows how many attempts later, I made a not-quite-perfect granny square. Throw #1 is now in the making and two sons are learning the craft too.
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