OK, so technically this isn’t a knitting post, but I wanted to write about my experience learning to crochet, and since this will probably be my only post on the subject, it seemed as good a place as any to put it.

After stumbling across online images of some truly gorgeous crocheted pieces this past summer (crochet puff stitch hat, and one-skein chevron scarf http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/one-skein-chevron-scarf), I decided that I wanted to learn how to crochet, because who wouldn’t want to be able to make these? I found a couple of really great videos – there are so many to choose from, bought myself some pretty pink worsted yarn and a 5.5 mm (I) crochet hook and I was on my way. It didn’t take long for me to master the chain stitch and single crochet stitch, but what I discovered is that, ultimately, crocheting is probably not for me. The repetitive jabbing motion of the crochet hook was really taxing on my arthritic fingers and knuckles. My hands were noticeably sore after about half an hour. Knitting somehow – thankfully – doesn’t seem to apply the same pressure to my joints.

Crochet stitches are such precise, pretty-looking stitches, though, and it’s so much fun to master something new that I won’t say I’ve given up on it completely. Let’s just call it another UFO and put it on the back burner for now. After all, I still have my boyfriend’s scarf to finish… 😛

If you’d like to give crocheting a go, I found the following two videos very helpful.

In this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdK-WWdHCQU&list=FLCbXSnpUUwC_qZqie1Fs7UA&index=36 by Mom of 5 Daughters (epicabundance), the simple and concise explanations just make it seem so easy. In fact, her pretzel-shaped slip-knot is so easy to do & is such a cinch to remember that I have adopted it for knitting too.  You can visit her web site here http://www.momof5daughters.com/index.html

I also really liked this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Hoc9pNfVfU&list=FLCbXSnpUUwC_qZqie1Fs7UA&index=30 by Chandi. Not only was her tutorial easy to follow, but her enthusiasm was infectious! Oh, and did you see how fast that girl can crochet???!!!  You can check out her blog here http://blog.expressionfiberarts.com/

If you do end up giving it a try, please feel free to post a comment and/or photo. I would love to hear from you! 🙂