Several friends and family members have asked me to teach them to crochet or create a few video tutorials they could use to take up the craft. Though I've given their suggestions some thought, I've determined that's not the direction I want my crochet business to take (I'd need a 36-hour day to get everything done!).
This led me to think about the many ways in which people learn to crochet. I've heard stories of people learning as young children, while sitting next to a favorite grandma or a mom who deftly wove her crochet hook in and out of a skein of yarn. Others are self-taught, with written instructions found in a book or on the internet, or through video tutorials.
Years ago, when I was pregnant with my second child, I bought a crochet book and a couple skeins of yarn at Joann Fabrics and taught myself to crochet. I distinctly remember crocheting the granny squares -- made with lovely shades of creamy yellow, pale pink and white. I have no clue whatever happened to that growing pile of squares. I was a big sewer back then, supporting my growing family as a single parent through my seamstress work. I ended up sewing my daughter a baby blanket, which became a beloved favorite.
Fast-forward to a few years ago when the need to fill some time with a productive activity brought me back to crochet. I relearned how to do it by watching video tutorials on YouTube by
BeThinTx1,
BobWilson123 and
Crochet Geek. As I listened and followed, listened and followed (pausing often until I got the hang of it), I began to feel a connection with these ladies and the sounds of their voices as they led me through the process of learning something that would become a huge, important part of my life. I've been hooked ever since!
Crochet, I find, is a very personal craft, mostly because it connects us to loved ones -- past, present and future generations -- and fills various needs. I hope you'll share your story about how and why you learned to crochet. Isn't it lovely to know you have a common bond with countless others around the world?
I learned when I was 11. My great aunt taught the chain and my curiosity took me from there. I'm 44 now.
ReplyDeleteTamm, I remember making crochet chains when I was a child, too! But I can't remember who taught me. It may have been my mother. It's wonderful to have a craft you've enjoyed all these years, isn't it?
DeleteThanks Mary for stopping by and visiting my site. I was taught over 20 something years ago to crochet, I'll never forget it (before youtube). My husband was stationed in Massachusetts and two ladies that I socialized with from time to time would sit on the porch during the day and one would knit and the other would crochet. I became intrigued with crocheting, so I asked her could she teach me. She was nice enough to come to my home and showed me how and I've been crocheting off and on since.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, what a lovely way to learn how to crochet!
DeleteMy aunt taught me when I was, oh, about 13 years old. I put it down for *koff* many years.
ReplyDeleteFast forward to about 2006, when I overdosed on cross stitch. I picked up a book and crochet hook kit at Walmart and learned from that. I still have that book (somewhere) along with several others that I bought, in an effort to learn even more.
Now, I can't imagine my life without crochet!
Me neither! And we both set it down for many years and returned to it later when the time was right. :)
DeleteMy Mom taught me how to crochet - maybe when I was a teenager? And maybe because she was a natural lefty who was forced to be right-handed, I've been told that I crochet backwards or inside-out LOL! I only recently learned to follow a pattern & have made some fun amigurumi. :)
ReplyDeleteAre you a lefty? Crochet Geek has many video tutorials on YouTube for left-handed crocheters.
DeleteI learnt about a year and a half ago via you tube and books and havent stopped since!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for commenting on my blog x
You're welcome! You're doing wonderfully, considering you learned just a year and a half ago!
DeleteMy grandma taught me when I was 8. We started with chains, of course, and eventually moved on to a nice, long scarf. In Pepto Bismol pink. Grandma was great, but she had really ugly yarn.
ReplyDeleteOh my! That's a color you'd surely never forget!
DeleteMy grandma taught me when I was 7. I still have the crochet hook she gave to me and I use it all the time….it's my favorite. As I write this, I'm sitting in the chair she used to do her crochet work in. It was given to me years ago. She sat in it while she taught me how to crochet and now I'm sitting in it telling about how she taught me! Pretty cool :)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful, Monica, that you have such tangible connections to your grandma. :)
DeleteI was a kid and I don't remember who in the family taught me as a child, but I do remember I taught myself from a book. At that time ponchos were the thing, the '60s - '70s, right? I no longer have the ponchos but they springboarded me to where I am today, a full blown crochetaholic!
ReplyDeleteMe, too! And now ponchos are back in style...I saw a beautiful crochet poncho the other day, with a multitude of colors. :)
DeleteI taught myself to crochet using a Woman's Day magazine over 40 years ago. The main reason I learned was I wanted a granny square vest that was in style at the time. Remember this was 1972! I crochet everyday and love making doilies and afghans.
ReplyDeleteI had a granny square vest in the 70s; I was just a kid! And I had a granny square purse. Yikes, I hope I never had both at the same time. :)
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ReplyDeleteMy sis thought me Ard 2009 basic. Then Ard 2014 I learnt with the help of online tutorial
ReplyDeleteOnline tutorials are a fantastic way to learn! Thank you for stopping by my blog, Kamalpreet!
DeleteI tried and tried to teach myself but I just couldn't make sense of it.
ReplyDeleteIn the end I gave up. Something made me try again and this time I discovered there were UK and US terms for the same stitch, no wonder I had been confused, lol. I decided to stick with the US terms even though I'm from the UK, as I prefer them.
After much practice eventually got my tension right and since then I've used a mix of patterns and youtube to make things. :-)
Kim, I'm so glad you gave it one more try. The different terms can be confusing, but it sounds like you've found what works for you. Thank you for sharing!
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