Youtube taught me how to crochet.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have FINALLY learned how to crochet. And I didn’t have to pay anyone $300 to do it either! I don’t know why I didn’t realise this sooner, but Youtube has thousands of tutorials on how to knit and crochet, and learning is as simple as finding the right Youtube video that shows the steps up close. After trying a few videos, I found the Howcast Arts & Recreation channel, which has excellent tutorials on all kinds of crochet techniques. After crocheting an hourglass-shaped swatch of single crochet (I did it all wrong and kept adding and dropping stitches which resulted in the shape) and a more or less perfect rectangle, I decided to plunge in and try crocheting in the round with this beginner’s tutorial for Christmas baubles.
It took me about two hours to make this. I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to do the hanging loop the way the tutorial says to do it, so I improvised with chain stitches.
Now that I know the basics, the world of amigurumi has suddenly opened up! So much to crochet, so little time. My next project is all lined up, though. I’ll be making Zoe a crown using this tutorial.
I also found time to make some soft flannel covered rice pillows for my mom, who wanted them for my sister’s soon-to-be-born twins. These pillows are like bean sprout pillows - rice makes sense for my sister’s babies because they live in a temperate country and the pillows can be warmed in a microwave or toaster if necessary. I used this tutorial but made some modifications. At my mom’s request, I sewed the rice into the two ends of the pillow so that the middle portion would be empty. I also reduced the width of the pillows by an inch because babies have short torsos.
Zoe's Build-a-Bear models the boy twin's pillow with a cute robot slipcover.
I am really liking the time I have for crafting now. Hopefully, I’ll be able to turn my hand to other crafty things in the next two weeks. Apart from doing more crochet, I also want to make a cover for my sewing machine, and finish the lunch bag I’ve been promising Alison. All the pieces are cut already; they just need assembling!
January 25, 2012
One response to Youtube taught me how to crochet.
Me too
Youtube taught me to crochet even though i have been trying to learn it from my mum for decades and even going to crochect shops to learn it. Happy crocheting.