This post is part of my 31 Days of Transformation series. To read the rest of the series, click the tab above.
I’m a big believer in the power of the needle.
And hook.
How about you?
I learned a long time ago that knitting, crocheting, and other sewing projects are a GREAT stress reliever.
That is, until my projects stare at me from their Longaberger storage basket, mocking me and making me feel bad.
I had a goal 2 winters ago to make a granny square blanket because I think they are so cute. This was going to be for ME to wrap up in while I read books on snowy winter afternoons. I bought some yarn I loved that matched the curtains I made for my sewing room and got busy transforming that basket of yarn into something pretty.
I found a youtube video to show me how to make the squares. I didn’t think I really needed a pattern, and I couldn’t really read one anyway. I hear people say all the time that they learned how to do this or that from online videos. I could do that too, right?
It looked so easy when Mikey, the crochet guy, did it.
But, my first practice ones didn’t turn out so well. They ended up to be circles not squares, and I’m not even going to share the frustration it took to get that all straightened out!
Fast forward many months, and my project started calling me names and making fun of me, so I decided to FINISH it once and for all before I got the itch to make new curtains and the colors didn’t match anymore.
This is taking LOTS longer than I thought it would.
Many more granny squares than I expected.
And several trips to the knitting store for more yarn, some of which had to be special ordered.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Not to mention, bringing back memories of the orange and blue Illini afghans I crocheted for each of our boys. I didn’t have a pattern for those either, and got carried away on my chain stitching and those afghans were so long they could cover their whole bodies twice. I spent hours on them and now they are probably wadded up in closets somewhere.
Next time, I am going to find someone to teach me how to read a pattern so I know what I am getting into before I start. I’m not giving up though because I want to make something like this beauty from Dottie Angel next!
What about you creative friends? Are you working on any creative projects? Tell me all about them!
Lovely colours Susan! If I was closer I would teach you to read a pattern (word ones, not the symbol type though).
Been many a year since I have hooked a granny (loved your blog post title BTW!:-)) – last few years I have mostly crocheted mini cotton doileys to pretty up crafty bits and pieces.
Itching to do a few beanies (that's a type of hat in case it is an Aussie/foreign word).
I doubt I'll ever try anything that large..
I knew the basic crochet stitches and was so tickled to make Booties lol..yep, they are small but I agree , yarn and a hook can be a wonderful stress reliever.
best of luck to you with your project, I think you are doing very well,indeed.
Happy Sunday~!
Susan, I love your color choices. You are so right about ..YIKES..how many squares it takes to make something. But it will be a keepsake. Smiles to you, Susie
A friend tried to teach me to crochet, but I sure couldn't get my brain and fingers to communicate with each other. It's probably just as well … I definitely wouldn't have time to crochet AND quilt. ha!
This post really made me smile. I love to knit and crochet. Right now I'm knitting a shawl for my 91 year old grandmother. If only we lived closer – I'd love to help you with pattern reading.
Crafting is cathartic! I will help you learn to read patterns! The squares are gorgeous. I know how much work grannies can be. I love making them, but am not a fan of joining them!!!!
YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT:
MANUFACTURER’S HANDBOOK
Stuff (GOD'S WORD IS THE REAL STUFF!)
http://stuffyouadore.blogspot.com/
TWELVE FORBIDDEN PRACTICES — UNMASKING THE SPIRITUAL DARK-SIDE