So I learnt to crochet.
I first tried learning from online resources and video tutorials but I definitely prefer written instructions to video and much prefer a book to a screen. Then the kids did a short class at The Handmaker's Factory, painting some ceramic bowls and plates on our one free day in the school holidays, and while they were busy, Nichola kindly showed me how to crochet and then gave me a book to take home.
I used some of the Hemptique variegated hemp twine I'd bought ages ago for playing around with macrame samplers. I still haven't really figured out the different crochet stitches, or how to read a pattern. But, once I'd worked out this simple stitch (don't ask me what it's called or whether I've technically done it correctly, OK?) I played around with increasing and decreasing to curve my bowl.
There was plenty of undoing and starting over if I felt it was losing shape but eventually it looked alright. Then I did some rapid increases to get the rolling over lip at the top. It was a bit floppy and I wondered if spray starch wasn't what I needed....
Lacking in domestic know-how I wasn't actually sure what that was, but I was pretty sure it would work. I mixed some cornflour and hot water and gave the bowl a good wetting then let it dry for a few days over a Pyrex dish that happened to be just the right size.
It came out perfectly shaped and moderately stiff and I'm quite pleased with it. Now I just need to work out what to do with it - which is always my dread of learning new crafts - one just accumulates crafty stuff around the house.
Anyway, I made a little thing and I learned a new skill. :)
I learned crochet for exactly the same reason - it's very portable. It takes a while to learn the stitches but as long as you do the same thing over and over again, it doesn't matter much what stitch it is (or even if it's a made-up one!). Or so my crochet teacher told me... but maybe she was just being kind :) I do like the colours of that twine.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marisa, I'm usually such a stickler for following rules and patterns, but I'm really enjoying my free-form illiterate approach to crochet. I guess if no-one knows how it was meant to look then it can't be "wrong", right?! :)
DeleteYou are so crafty! Love this bowl! Also, I do not see filling up ones house with crafty things to be an actual problem, but admittedly my tastes in decor tend to the 70s boho crafty. I really enjoy crochet, it's very easy and forgiving, when it comes down to it.
ReplyDeleteOh please tell me you have that Amy Sedaris crafty book? If not I'm buying it for you, it's hilarious and was given to me by my brother as a warning as to how bad things could get if you let craftiness take over your life :)
DeleteThis is great! I also intend to learn to crochet, but agree with you that it's nicer to learn from a real person, not YouTube. This certainly doesn't look like a beginner project - well done!
ReplyDeleteTHanks! The challenge was learning from a left handed teacher. I htink my perfect resource is a well written, well illustrated book. Live video and humans don't give me the time and space to practice (swear, curse, drink, repeat etc)
DeleteVery cute bowl. I did learn to crochet as a child but am tempted again by the Amigrium critters.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharon. I have a book called Softies that has an incredibly cute pattern for a set of four turtles that look like The Beatles from the Sergeant Pepper album. Very cute!
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