Learning something new is interesting, brave, uncomfortable, exhilarating, and humbling. There is no easy rhythm, no groove worn into a path, no sense of returning to a familiar ground. But there is a balancing side to that stretching out into the unknown. It’s that sense of triumph that can only come from risk and that feeling of new territories opening before you.
I’m learning to crochet with my sister’s assistance. It’s not as easy as learning to knit was, perhaps because I’m not just looping through loops waiting for me. It’s more like building with blocks. This is the second month of our sisterly crochet along. I’m so glad my sister was in town for this one as it’s more complicated than anything I’ve ever attempted. (Which is, of course, not saying much at all since I’ve got the crochet resume equal to that of, say, a migratory bird.) You can read her version of our coffee and crochet date here.
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I picked colours that shout, “Spring!” to me, and I very much enjoy looking at it. At this sort of angle. Because, as you’ll see in the next photo, it’s bit wobbly. But for the process of learning it was excellent and for washing dishes it’s acceptable.
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Motif 94 in “Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs” by Edie Eckman
Handmade Homeschool 
Good for you!! I started learning to crochet last month, with my mother’s help. I’ve complete two scarves–needed something ‘easy’ to start with. (You can check them out here: http://knotsewmuch.blogspot.com)
I know exactly what you mean and your description of ‘building with blocks’ fits so nicely.
Those are wonderful colors and not bad for a beginner crocheter! 😀
Hooray for the Birthday CAL!! I can’t wait to see what motif you set for us for April. (And I wonder if there’s a chance of us being in the same city when we start?)
Thanks again for the wonderful birthday gift, that just keeps giving!
Good for you! I’ve been to three formal crochet classes, one at Stitches East and a two part class at a LYS. I understand the concept but I just can’t get the tension right on the yarn that goes over my finger. I find it frustrating and stressful. I’ve decided it’s not for me.
How wonderful to be able to enjoy that learning with your sister!
Having been handed a crochet hook and yarn at the age of 7, and grown up doing it, I find crochet really easy and have had an impossible time learning knitting by myself!!
Tension comes with practice, but it also depends a lot on the type of yarn. Wool has moderate stretch, which makes it somewhat easy to work with. Cotton has no stretch, which makes it very very hard to work with.
Acrylic has a lot of stretch, which makes it very easy to work with, but it tends to shed and doesn’t hold water very well; however it’s excellent for beginners to learn on because it eases the tension problems. Plus, it’s not really “tension” that dictates the results; it’s the size of the loop on the hook. Tension only has to be whatever it takes to keep the loop size consistent.
Even as an experienced crocheter, I find “granny squares” or working “in the round” (like for the pictured dish cloth) to be rather hard, and my results are still wobbly. Neat horizontal rows are so much easier, at least after getting the hang of not skipping the last stitch in each row (it likes to hide; counting helps).
Crochet can look really darling, and I find it to be relaxing, mindless handwork while listening to audio books or having conversation. That is, if the project uses rows. I can’t do other things while working in the round; too hard.