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Learning to Crochet


 I've been slowly plugging away at the scarf I started last November.  It's complete except for an edging.

My plan was to knit an edging but the thought of picking up all those stitches along the edge was frightening.  I also don't think I have the correct needles.

Then I saw a scarf with a crocheted edge and I had a solution.  Except, I never learned to crochet.  How hard can it be?  I've seen a video of the worlds fastest crocheter.  Couldn't be easier.

Actually, it is difficult.  You have to hold the yarn, the needle, your work, keep the tension correct and pull the yarn through without catching.  That's at least 5 things.  At first I could only master on or two at a time.  I was able to get help from a friend with lots of hints that aren't written down anywhere. 

Now I'm up to only worrying about tension and catching the yarn.  I can even do several inches at a time without a glitch.  Slowly, I'm making my way around the scarf.

The last time I was knitting I tried to pay attention to all those thing my hands were doing without me even thinking about them.  It's very similar to crochet but more complicated (at least I think so - there are more stitches on the needles at once).  I know I learned to knit when I was young but I don't remember the details, I just do it.  I guess you do learn these things more easily at a young age.

Meanwhile the crocheting slowly gets easier.  And, I must admit, it makes a really nice edging.


Can't wait until the scarf is done.  Just in time for summer!

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Comments

  1. Aurelia EglantineMay 20, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    I love to crochet, and I agree with you - it does make lovely scarf edging, and lovely scarves too (for future reference, lol)! Congratulations on taking your first few stitches :) I actually prefer crochet over knitting, as I find it is easier to keep my tension. And I love that all of the 'fancy' stitches are based on the main three - single, double and triple crochet. You'll get the hang of it quickly with a bit of practice!

    ReplyDelete
  2. EricaMay 21, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    I don't know, I'm halfway around the scarf for the second time and I think the tension is becoming too tight and I'm going to have to rip it out and start over. Ugh!

    ReplyDelete

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