Sunday, February 3, 2013

My first crochet project *sigh*

 (I can't believe I am showing this to you all.......)


 
OK, I know Judy and MSM both crochet.  I know a few other out there do too.  So HELP!!!  No making fun of me!!!!

I started doing counted cross stitch when I was 9 or 10 and loved it.  Did it for years.  Made gifts.  Did some on linen.  But I wanted something that could do that was crafty, calming, and still feel productive.

I have always wanted to learn to crochet and knit.  My aunt (who passed away in 1993) was AMAZING at this.  If she had lived longer, I am sure she would have shown me and guided me.  But since that didn't happen, I am on my own.

I picked up a "kit" at Walmart for Sassy, who had a 5 minute lesson with another mom while we were at Boy Scouts and seemed to enjoy it.  And as typical with Sassy...nothing happened with the kit when we got home.  After it sitting in her room for months, I asked her if I could have it.

Last night, I tried my hand at it.  This little monstrosity took me over an hour (probably more like 1.5 hrs).  I pulled out some and did it over, trying something to make it look better.  This was following the written directions that came in the kit.

I know some of what I did....I know I dropped a stitch near the bottom, causing that row to be shorter.  I figured out as I went that I was making the stitches too tight.  Here are the things that I don't know:

1)  Why aren't the ends "connected"?  This is supposed to be a half double stitch.  I even googled what is supposed to look like.  It may be hard to tell from the picture, but it seems like each time I "turn" I end up with a little knobby thing on the end, instead of it connecting to the row below.

2)  The bottom few rows look different that the top few.  The top few look closer to what the images I googled looked like.  So what did I do on the bottom??   I did the same "stitch" but those were tighter than the top.  Is that what caused the difference??

I know that this is hideous.  But for 1.5 hrs of experience...it is what it is.  I don't think I will be making gifts THIS year.  Maybe someday.   Meanwhile....someone tell me that my little mini pot holder (it is maybe 4"x4" right now) isn't as bad as I think....and how to make it better.




 

20 comments:

  1. That is so much better than I could ever do! Ha! Keep at it. :)


    Is Judy back? I miss her posts!

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    1. Thanks! I sat there last night mad at myself....I don't like not being good at something!!

      Yes, Judy has another blog now. http://getwhereiamgoing.blogspot.com/

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  2. I think that while we have some experts around, you still have plenty of us (like me) who couldn't do that even if we were paid for it! I think it looks nice, but I can see where it needs improving... sorry I can't offer any useful advice. Love the color, though!

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  3. Nobody picks up and masters crocheting in 1.5 hours so stop being hard on yourself. Like anything it takes a lot of practice to get good at it. Beyond the learning the technique and stitches there is the whole maintaining tension on your work--what makes your stitches look tight or loose.
    I'd suggest if your kit came with a small hook(size e or lower)that you get a G or H hook, as it's easier to learn with a bigger hook.
    And now that you know how to do a basic stitch, don't worry about making something like a pot holder, just practice on doing a long chain of stitches and then longer rows to work on keeping an even tension on your work.
    The good thing about crocheting/yarn is you can pull it all out and try, try again, and you don't have to buy more yarn to get better. ;-)

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    1. The hook is an N-13 per the package. No idea what that means.

      The kit is designed to make a scarf....which I never intended. I figured it would more be a less expensive way to get yarn, a hook, and some basic instructions. I am not worried about a scarf. I called my project a mini pot holder just to give everyone an idea of size.

      Thanks!

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    2. An N hook is giant. :D
      In crochet, hooks go up in sizes with the letters of the alphabet. A G or H is a good average size. An N hook is pretty big and the kit you got is probably meant for speed crochet

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  4. I taught myself to crochet but don't get done as much as Judy does -- I have learned that I crochet very tightly, so I always got with a crochet hook that is 2 sizes bigger than the pattern calls for. It looks to me like you didn't consistently do 3 chains at the end of each row as a turning chain -- Judy will be able to tell for sure -- as Sluggy said -- keep practicing - you'll get good at it

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    1. The instructions called for 2 chains at the end, which I did do. I think sometimes I picked up the wrong stitch in the row when I turned. And for the record...that 2 chain instruction totally confused me! I was like...WHAT???? EVENTUALLY I figured out what that meant.

      How long have you been crocheting?

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    2. Since college -- I think that means 30 years -- give or take --

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  5. I too taught myself to crochet many years ago. I think you've diagnosed yourself correctly; you're probably not picking up the right stitch in the row when you turn. I used to consistently start a stitch after the one I was supposed to, and my blankies would always come out narrow on the top. I finally corrected. I'm afraid I'm not expert enough to tell if that's what's happening, but it's so easy to miss the right stitch on the turn. Counting does help til you get it figured out. I used to use the little round stitch markers for every 10 stitches or whatever to help me keep count. I don't need them anymore, so it does get better! BTW, that's really good for a first attempt.

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  6. The chain of three on each end has to have a stitch in it to keep it the same and not have it shrink. Treat the turning chain as a place to put your last stitch and then after you get through that last stitch and have only one loop on your hook, chain three and pick up in the stitch immediately below left of your chain. You can get demonstrations that will help on YouTube.

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    1. The instructions said chain 2...should I try 3 and see if it is better?

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    2. I would not - a half-double just gets 2 chains.

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  7. It looks to me like you missed a stitch here and there. As well as made your first stitch of a new row in the wrong place. Your tension may also be too loose in some places and too tight in others.

    Sometimes however, mine are a little crooked and I just block it out and it looks fabulous.

    Sorry I cannot be more help - if I saw you stitching, I could probably help.

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    1. Any hints on keeping the tension even?

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    2. It takes practice. Making sure the hole is the same size on your hook helps a lot. I watch that. If it is too difficult to pull through - then your stitch will be very tight. If it seems to fall all around - way too loose. After a while - you will get a feel for it.

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  8. OK your tension definitely changed which happens as you learn. The best way to maintain even tension, is practice. I know, not what you wanted to hear!
    Here is a tip for not dropping stitches: Every time you do the first stitch in a row, put a stitch marker in it. That way you'll know when to stop crocheting.
    Crocheting in the round tends to be easier than crocheting straight because you don't have to worry about those pesky dropped stitches.
    YouTube is the best Crochet Teaching Assistant ever. My favorite videos are by the Crochet Geek. Not only does she do specific techniques, but she does entire projects too!
    Here is her channel: http://www.youtube.com/show/crochetgeek
    And look, here is a simple small crochet heart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D6kayWgMQg

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  9. Well you could take it out side and shoot it...I kid I kid...seriously though your tension is tight. Relax your hand an dont pull your yarn to tight. Also when you get to the end of a row you want to do two extra single stiches so that when you turn it to start the next row you skip over those two stitches and go into your regular stitches. This gives you and outside seam and keeps it from going wonky.

    There are really some great you tube videos. You can do this and once it clicks you will love it...just remember its supposed to be relaxing not frustrating. So frog it(that means to undo it) and start over. There are tons of things I have to start over or frog a few rows because I dropped the stitches. So Frog it, sit somewhere comfortable and then start your basic chain, add two, turn, go to your next row skip the first two chains(there the extra ones you put on the end of the other row) and go across, count while you do it and keep your hands relaxed, add two at the end and turn again.

    You can do this I promise. Maybe when I go on vacation I will do a post on how to do it.

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