Beginners Guide To Crochet - A Blog Hop

I've been asked by my lovely bloggy friend, Sarah of Annaboo's House, to share my crochet story, to celebrate the launch of her fabulous new book, Beginner's Guide To Crochet ...

Crochet wasn't even on my radar before I started blogging.  If asked, I'd probably have said it was something only very old ladies or drippy girls did.  What can I say other than apologise for my extremely ignorant pre-2010 self?

April 2010

I cite two blogs as being responsible for inspiring me to learn to crochet - Do You Mind If I Knit and Attic 24.

Those colours!  It had never crossed my mind that crochet could be used to create something quite so glorious.  Not drippy or old ladyish in the slightest! ;-)

It was Vanessa's Little Squares Scarf that tipped me over the edge and sent me running off to the library for any crochet book I could lay my hands on.

I invested in a ball of raspberry pink Paton's Smoothie and a 4mm aluminium hook and my crochet journey began.  That was at the beginning of 2010.

April 2010

I must admit, it took me a while to get the hang of it.  In fact, I very nearly gave up at one point, deciding that there must be sorcery involved.  I'm a reasonably intelligent girl for goodness sake, why else could I not do it?

I decided to tackle it logically and set about learning one stitch at a time.  I needed to really understand what I was doing rather than just copying the how-to diagrams or other people parrot fashion.  I'd crochet row after row of the same stitch until I was happy.  Comfortable with the hook and happy that I knew what I was doing.  Ish.

It's true what they say, something really does 'click'.  Like an epiphany!

Suddenly I just 'got it' and was completely and utterly hooked.  I thought about crochet and yarn all day (still do) and even used to visualise the stitches in my sleep.  On more than one occasion, I elbowed D in the face whilst performing a particularly tricky crochet manoeuvre!

With hindsight, the first couple of projects I tackled were perhaps a little ambitious.  See that heart at the top of my post?  That was my very first official 'make'.  Followed closely by the above rose.  Gosh, I was so proud of that.

There have been lots of crochet 'fails' ...

Playing 'yarn chicken' and losing!  Crochet 'fail'.

Mixing yarn weights?  Really?  Crochet 'fail'.

In fact, there still are.  That's part of the fun.

I've been looking back at my blog and had a bit of a chuckle over my first account of visiting a yarn shop in 2011 …

To date, I have ordered the majority of my yarn from the internet where I can commit my crochet crimes in safe anonymity.  So, yesterday, it was with a teeny bit of trepidation that I went to buy some yarn in person.  Would there be crochet police around the perimeter, ready to pounce?  Worse, would there be three middle aged women who had 127 years' knitting and crochet experience between them, grilling the shoppers on how they sew in their ends?  Would I be timed on how long it took me to complete a 6" square of treble stitch before being allowed to cross the boundary?

I gradually tackled more complicated projects …

My first ever crocheted 'clothing' - February 2011.  Adored these.  Crochet 'win'.

Ripples 2011!  Crochet 'win'

… and took my hook everywhere!

My biggest crochet fail is probably not finishing things …

Don't mind him, he's 'armless! ;-)

and then the yarn I'm using gets discontinued …

RIP Sublime Striped Blanket :-(

That said, finding my own style and being able to turn the designs in my head into crocheted reality is my hugest 'win'.  Crochet has brought me nothing but joy and I would recommend it to anyone.

I've been lucky enough to receive a copy of Sarah's new book and can honestly say that it's super.  It guides you through everything you need to know when starting out on your crochet adventure.  Beginner's Guide To Crochet is available as both a printed book and an eBook.  Sarah's curated crochet page at Stitch Craft Create is also worth mentioning for all those yarny essentials!

I should like to nominate another lovely and talented bloggy friend of mine, Marianne of Ladybird Diaries, to share her beginner's crochet story ...

xxx

Hooked! A Crochet Blog Hop

As you may or may not know, when you blog, you get approached by a variety of people offering their services or asking you to promote their wares.  They can range from the slightly obscure to the downright dubious, trust me!  As a rule of thumb, I rarely agree unless it is for something that I think you, my friends, will find of interest.  When I was asked to join in with Stitch Craft Create's blog hop to review a new crochet motif book, I didn't have to think twice.  I think you'll love it!

Ok, so the book?

Written by crochet designers Michelle Delprat and her daughters, Cecile and Sylvie, Hooked! is a veritable buffet of crochet motifs.  In my opinion, it commands just a basic knowledge of crochet and there are some excellent stitch illustrations at the beginning of the book.  It is attractively uncluttered and the patterns are set out extremely clearly.

Most of the patterns suggest working with a teeny hook (2mm) but, being the contrary person that I am, I favour a 4mm hook and a larger result.

I've picked a couple of my favourite pages which should give you a flavour of what you can expect ...

I'm sure it won't surprise you to learn that I picked a flower as my little project.  They worked up super quickly and gave me an excuse to indulge in some fun with colours.

I then chained them together, catching each flower with a slip stitch, to make a simple little garland.  They'd look so pretty draped around a few branches; an Easter tree perhaps?  For now though, it would seem that they have been purloined by my daughter ...

I shall definitely make some more.  Imagine them perched jauntily on a hat or scarf?  Ooh, how nice would they look on a squared blanket?

Before I get carried away, I must tell you about the 'blog hop'.  Do take a peek here to find out who else is joining in; you'll recognise some of your favourite bloggers and maybe discover a couple of new ones too.  You'll also find out more about the book and I'm sure glean a few creative ideas to add to your never-ending to-do list!

To celebrate the upcoming release of Hooked!, the lovely people at Stitch Craft Create are also running a competition where you can win a free copy of the book and a bundle of crochet goodies to boot.  For full details, see their blog for more information.

Happy hooking.

xxx

Sponsored Post - Sublime Superfine Alpaca DK

When the lovely people at Black Sheep Wools asked me if I wanted to try some of the new Sublime Superfine Alpaca dk, I couldn't say "yes please" fast enough!

As you probably know, I am a massive fan of Sublime - their merino yarns are firmly in my top ten favourites.

The Alpaca comes in a range of six "beautifully understated and classic" colours which, admittedly, aren't my usual palette but it was actually thoroughly enjoyable working with something a little bit different for a change.  (I have since decided that I don't have enough grey in my life!)

It's beautiful to crochet with.  The drape is one of the best I've come across but it's the softness that makes my heart skip a beat.  Oh, it's dreamy.

Black Sheep Wools has kindly offered readers of my blog 10% off Sublime Superfine Alpaca dk from now until Monday 20th October 2014.  Simply quote PINK10 at checkout.

I've written a pattern for some Misty Morning Mitts which is free to download from Black Sheep Wools' website.  It's an easy pattern and requires only two 50g balls, one in each chosen colour.

Established for over 30 years, Black Sheep Wools is an award-winning, family-run UK retailer of yarn, patterns, sewing and needlework materials.

This is a sponsored post.