When and why did you learn to crochet?

So for everyone who crafts, whether you knit or crochet, there was a trigger! right? something that set you off on your journey with yarn. What was it for you? A picture, an item, a club you wanted to join?

Mine was a picture; a couple of years ago as I was browsing the magazine stand at my local store.

A lovely crocheted cushion made with bright and colourful granny squares,  outlined and set off with a white border. It was so clean and pretty, I just had a sudden urge to make it myself. The picture was in Simply Crochet magazine and was designed by Ilaria Chiaratti http://www.idainteriorlifestyle.com

I bought the magazine, some bright coloured yarn and a crochet hook and went home and started to teach myself the basics. I spent a few evenings without actually accomplishing anything, watching You-tube videos, trying to hold the hook “correctly”, wrong stitches, frogging over and over again, how many times should the yarn go around the hook, my family thought I had gone mad! But I was determined to master this new skill, I wanted that cushion!

I went to visit my Mum ( who is an amazing knitter) and discovered her to be an accomplished crocheter too ( I didn’t know this!). I asked her to crochet one granny square so I could watch her. Yes, I discovered at this point, I am a visual learner. It clicked!, I suddenly got it, and whilst I still kept miscounting the number of trebles needed to make the flower etc. I was off and running!

Along the way, I ignored all of my Mum’s pleas to correct my horrible hold on the crochet hook, change the way the yarn was draped across my fingers, and do not pick the yarn up with your fingers to lift it to make the stitch! You know what, it didn’t matter, everyone has their own method that works for them.

I completed my cushion, here is my picture, and I don’t need to tell you all, cos I know you all get it, what a sense of accomplishment I felt at completing it. I was so proud of myself.

That was a couple of years ago, and I still hold the hook “incorrectly” at times depending on the yarn and the size hook I am using!

But, I completely fell in love with crochet, and developed a real thirst to learn, trying more adventurous stitches and patterns – oh yeah, and along the way a compulsive retail habit for purchasing yarn – that “shush”! I will whisper this quietly; just between you and me  ……. that I don’t really need, but just have to own, and put in my stash.

Fast forward, and here we are; at my website and blog launch, I like writing and I think I may like designing too, and for the friends who will currently read this first blog, I hope you found it entertaining! Feel free to share with friends and anyone you think might enjoy it.

And for anyone who doesn’t crochet, stay with me, I hope to inspire you to try! I would love to be your crochet trigger, in the same way that Ilaria inspired me.