Just one day left of my 3-day work week and it’s time for the weekend again! I could really get used to this kind of schedule. Our 4-day holiday weekend was a bit more chore-filled than Geoff and I had anticipated but a lot was accomplished and I guess that’s a good thing, right? Unfortunately one of the things that didn’t get accomplished was a lot of knitting.
And this is where my little detour comes into play. You see, I did find some time for knitting but the problem is that I didn’t really use that time for knitting. I used it to try and teach myself a little crochet. The book Cozy Crochet has been getting cozy on my bookshelf for months and it was this post from Diana of Streets and YOs that prompted me to pick it up. I wanted to make some of those coasters! My ultimate goal is to be able to one day crochet the Scoop Neck Pullover…
Isn’t that a great sweater?! And check out these little edgings, too!
Aren’t they cute? And they would be great on the edges of pillowcases, too!
So yeah, I wanna learn this whole “crochet” thing so I started with project #1 in this book – a dishcloth. It was done completely in single crochet. Not a problem. About half-way through it I decided I was a pro at single-crochet and ripped it all out to try my hand at project #2 – the coasters. This is where my story ends. I can’t figure it out! So I’ve got The Happy Hooker on hold at my library and will pick it up tomorrow. Hopefully that will shed some light on the subject. It’s the whole round thing that has me a bit confused. And I’m not used to the lingo so it’s like trying to read a foreign language. I don’t see how I will ever learn all of the stitches!! Single, double, triple, half-double (which to me sounds like it should be a single), triple-sow-cow, quadruple lutz double, etc. Ok so maybe I made up those last two. But seriously, there seems to be more to remember with crochet than there is with knitting. Do crocheters (is that a word?) commit all of these stitches to memory or do they just carry around a handy reference guide in their bags? I’m intrigued.
But, don’t fear. I’m still knitting. This is not going to turn into a crochet blog (besides “Freckles & Single Crochet” doesn’t have a good ring to it). But I hope to learn enough so that crochet will make an appearance here and there.
As for that knitting thing, I’m still working on the second sleeve of Hourglass. The second sleeve always goes slower than the first and it feels like a horribly long case of deja vu.
sarkasmo
July 7, 2006 at 10:08 am (17 years ago)I think I found your blog through a link at LJ’s knitting community, or a link from a blog that I found there. Anyway, greetings from a fellow redheaded knitter!
I thought about crochet, but there are just too many ways that I could mess it up: one live stitch, one hook, infinite stitches to crochet into…knitting only lets me knit the next stitch on the needle; I know exactly where the needles go.
That said, the edging on those pants do look adorable and I wish I could make them.
janna
July 7, 2006 at 10:33 am (17 years ago)I used to crochet quite a bit, and at that time I knew double, triple, half-double, etc. They all build on each other. I’d have to take a look at a crochet book to remember them, but I do think that after a while you remember them all — just like now things like SSK and knit through the back loop make sense!
Jenny
July 8, 2006 at 1:59 am (17 years ago)Hahahaha!!! So I’m not the only one who things crochet terms sound like ice skating moves!!!1
I’ve crocheted forever, you can email me your questions on the coasters and I might be able to help you…
Julia
July 13, 2006 at 12:25 pm (17 years ago)My mom taught me how to crochet before I could knit (and now recently I’ve taught her how to knit!). It’s really pretty easy. And yes, most crocheters do commit those stitches to memory because as you’ll see they’re pretty simple and just build on each other. For instance, if I remember correctly, I think double crochet is just a single crochet done twice into the same loop or some such. I remember crocheting in the round was tricky for me, too! I’m sure you’ll get it.
I think those edgings are adorable!! I want bright red lace on *my* pajamas too, hehe. =)
P.S. I wouldn’t mind seeing crochet on here along with knitting, I think they’re very complimentary.
Emily
July 19, 2006 at 6:44 am (17 years ago)Crocheting is great! If I ever make it to one of the Stitch ‘n’ Bitches, I can help you with it if you’d like. I used to teach classes at Hancock Fabrics. Single, half double, double, triple, etc… we commit them to memory. It’s like our knit/purl. The most basic elements. But some crocheters (it’s a work) carry around a “stitch bible” of stitch patterns.
Email me if you want!
Emily
July 19, 2006 at 6:44 am (17 years ago)Crocheting is great! If I ever make it to one of the Stitch ‘n’ Bitches, I can help you with it if you’d like. I used to teach classes at Hancock Fabrics. Single, half double, double, triple, etc… we commit them to memory. It’s like our knit/purl. The most basic elements. But some crocheters (it’s a work) carry around a “stitch bible” of stitch patterns.
Email me if you want!
Emily
July 19, 2006 at 6:45 am (17 years ago)Oops! I meant it’s a word, not it’s a work. hehe.