I have wanted to learn to crochet for years. I’m sad that I didn’t take the time to learn from either of my grandmothers. Grandma Audrey crocheted intricate doilies, and Grandma Arlene crocheted beautiful pastel baby blankets. I can still picture where both of them stored their supplies, one in a sewing basket near her favorite chair and the other in a cabinet near her spot on the sofa. I have a faint memory of Grandma Arlene trying to teach me to crochet, but I don’t think I was a very patient student. I hope both of them are smiling in heaven now that I’ve finally followed in their footsteps. Friends, I have crocheted my first granny square!
To say I am tickled with this little granny square is an understatement. My husband can attest to my enthusiasm. Over the course of a few evenings, he watched my diligent attempts to crochet. It was actually quite a struggle at first. My biggest problem was that I couldn’t get my fingers and my hands to find a rhythm. The movements felt so foreign. (I kid you not, I even struggled getting the slip knot onto the hook.) Beyond that, all of the crocheting terminology was also brand new to me. When I finally produced a successful and darn cute granny square, I held it up proudly and grinned like a little kid. Thank goodness he’s a husband who gets it and nods appreciatively.
I am sure there are many wonderful crochet books, teachers and classes out there. Thanks to the internet, we have thousands of resources at our fingertips. I was unsure where to turn, when a quilting friend suggested I watch Lori Holt’s YouTube videos. Lori’s “How to Crochet a Granny Square Beginner” video was fabulous. She demonstrates and explains things clearly and slowly. I watched the whole video from start to finish, and then I watched it in segments while I was learning. I could pause, playback and pause again to my heart’s content. Lori has several more video tutorials in her crochet series. It’s really wonderful!
I have always loved hand binding a quilt, so I am happy to have found something else to do with my hands while we watch TV in the evenings. This newfound hobby is also much more portable. I’m envisioning myself making granny squares when we travel. Yes, I’m pretty sure I will get carried away crocheting.
I have no “finished project” plans for this granny square and the others I will make in the coming months. I’ve seen beautiful blankets, tote bags, pin cushions, scarves and even sweaters made with granny squares. But that feels like a long way off for me. For now, I plan to enjoy the process. Me at my sofa with my basket of supplies, crocheting and enjoying the company of family or friends . . . much like my grandmothers did years ago.
Thanks for stopping by the blog today, quilting (and crocheting) friends!
~Taunja
Supplies I used:
Clover Armour Crochet Hook (I used E 3.5)
Lori Holt’s Chunky Thread (My granny square included these colors: Peony, Pebble, Cloud and Tea Rose, but as you can see I also purchased some others. A girl has to be prepared!)
Good job…cute colors!
Thanks Deanna!!
Well done! Here’s to many more years crocheting.
Thanks! Yes I hope so!
I love this, Taunja! The colors are great together but you have a gift in that department! It is fun to have a portable hobby! Mine is cross stitching. I tried crocheting as you described, with Lori Holt’s video, but think I need her here to hold my hand! 😉Also, I wanted to say I love your quilt patterns. I made the banded stars for one of my grandsons recently using your color combo on the pattern. I want to make one using Christmas fabrics soon! Thanks for sharing your talents!
Hi Dawn. Thanks for your kind words. I did try cross stitching again a few years ago, but it was hard on my eyes . . . even with a magnifying light. I totally get that about needing a hand holding. As I was watching the video, I wondered if anyone else in the world paused and played back as many repetitions as I did just to understand the smallest details. LOL!
I hit reply too soon! I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed Banded Stars! Thanks!!
I absolutely love the colors in your basket. I spent an hour the other night trying to crochet just the first round. I will try the Lori Holt video and see if that helps. I am determined to learn how to make a granny square.
Oh gosh Michele, I hear ya! The first two evenings, I just couldn’t get the hang of it. I would get the first round done, see a mistake, pull it out and try again. I must have done that 8 times. And I honestly spent a lot of time just trying to figure out where to put my fingers!! That said, I didn’t get frustrated. I just reminded myself and there was a first time I sewed a quilt and I certainly didn’t know what I was doing then either. And now I do. 🙂 We’ll both get there!