September 07, 2004
Expert Tuesday (Crocheting) by Lea Schedel
So....crocheting, probably you're first thoughts are that it's a granny hobby. I know this because that's what i thought of it before I started doing it. I grew up around crocheters,(I don't think that's a word?) sort of a hobby passed down from my great gramma. You'd think that I would have learned from them, but no, I actually wasn't into it until I learned how to do it at school. (Although my mom helped me to perfect it, have to give her credit) It really doesn't take a rocket scientist to learn how it's done, or years to master. I think it just takes a person with creativity, patience, and most importantly, who's good with their hands.
The hardest thing is reading the pattern, but once you understand the lingo and what it's asking you to do then it's no problem. The way it's done is by using a crochet hook ("crochet" actually comes from a french word meaning hook) and any kind of yarn. Basically it's just a series of knots being joined together The size of your yarn will determine the size of hook you'll use. You can make really delicate things like mohair scarves, to thick blankets and sweaters. There's numerous things you can crochet, bags, stuffed animals, clothes, and obviously toques. It's a lot cheaper to make these things than to buy it in stores
There's a lot of good books out there for people who want to learn. "hip to crochet" and "hooked on crochet" are some good ones. The easiest thing though is to get someone to teach you. When you're reading it, it sounds a lot harder. Once you get comfortable with it though, you get really fast with it. There actually is a fastest crocheter, her name is Lily Chin She crocheted David Letterman a sweater during his show once. In fact the dress she's wearing in that pic is one she made.
Just one thought... hey i want a skull cap! for the slopes!
Posted by: itzjerm at September 7, 2004 09:18 AMCrocheting isn't for old people.
Posted by: Well Played Young Friend at September 7, 2004 10:29 AMI crocheted once. A few local sisters would get together and crochet and when I first moved her they invited me to come one night. I'll try anything at least once, so I went. I started making a scarf but...somewhere along the line it went wrong...very very wrong. We just refer to the unfinished project as "The Unfortunate Fetus" now.
Posted by: Jon Houser at September 7, 2004 10:50 AMYes the woman in our family sure know how to crochet, I wish I could say the same for me, I put the family name of crocheting to shame.
Lea makes some things where I seriously wonder if she went out and got it from the store thats how good it is. And Jeremy, yer gunna have to get a number and wait in line for your "scull cap" because twin sisters come first;)
But what about twin brothers?
Posted by: itzjerm at September 7, 2004 12:05 PMActually Jeremy, according to Lea you should be able to make your own. And I quote:
"It really doesn't take a rocket scientist to learn how it's done"
Ow! Burn! Ouch...I just cut myself on an Exacto as I typed "Burn!". Oh well, back to sign making.
Jerm if you want me to do an expose' on music's involvement in the sign making process for an upcoming expert Tuesday, let me know. We here at Hawkeye Signs would love to share the joy we have for weeding and taping banners...
D.A.
Posted by: D.A. at September 7, 2004 01:52 PMOh well i was wanting a "fly flap cap " anyways...
Thats right it doesnt take a rocket scientist... it takes more...
Posted by: itzjerm at September 7, 2004 02:42 PMYou know you've reached a low point in life when you realize you have nothing that you're an expert on. Even my job takes no brain power or skill. I gotta find a talent or a hobby or something.
Posted by: Javann at September 7, 2004 04:29 PMstop being greedy judi i already made you a bag :)....a fly flap cap eh? what colour?
Posted by: lea at September 7, 2004 08:08 PMLea I was so happy when I saw this today. You see I enjoy the art of quilting. I find it very relaxing and challenging. Their are some who would call me old (DA Delia), but I refuse to conform to societies views of what is a proper hobby for a young person and an old person. Long live "granny hobbies"!
Posted by: Autumn at September 7, 2004 08:15 PMWell said Autumn... i have hobbies people make fun of too... so who really cares what people say! Oh and colors... dark blue black with an orange band?? would that look good... i trust your judgement. Or wait all those colors probalby make it hard.. .hold on i'm needing more insight into the world of crocheting... ;)
Posted by: itzjerm at September 7, 2004 08:29 PMYes, yes, I do tend to tease Autumn about being "old", but it was way before I learned of her quilting aspirations. She has come a long way in the past few months, however, even being the one who at times says "Lets just keep going!" during roadtrip-like situations. To her credit, she has made some very pretty quilt stuff, though.
And now, a little known Autumn fact:
Even though she has never attended a trucker night, Autumn has already been given a name...Mother Goose.
As for crocheting, I wrote something really funny about the specifics of it taking more than rocket scientry but I left it at work. Oops.
Lets just say it included ninjas wielding crochet hooks.
Annnnnd let the imagination wander.
Nice job, by the way Lea.
Posted by: D.A. at September 7, 2004 10:27 PMThanks DA
Posted by: Autumn at September 8, 2004 07:02 AM