Chaos at the Crochet Class!
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| starting a granny square |
Road works and another road blocked because of an accident meant that I was very late for the Creative Yarn group so I missed all the introductions and the chat about what people wanted to do in the group, but it seems that the consensus was to tackle learning to crochet first which is what I would have voted for anyway so I'm perfectly happy with that. It ground to a halt then while we did a second round on introductions for my benefit and I found myself somewhere to sit.
Jane, who is leading the group, had brought some of her stash with her for us to use so there was a bit of a free for all as people picked their colours and found a crochet hook ... being a goody two-shoes, I'd taken my own crochet hook and wool! ... and then Jane demonstrated how to hold the hook and the wool and started us off doing a simple chain. So far so good, I understood that and was getting on okay but the other four learners needed help so Jane and Chris (the only other group member who can already crochet) were going round helping as needed. I still struggled to hold the wool with my left hand but the advice was to keep going and see if I settled into a comfortable way of working and that's exactly what happened at the session progressed.
We then moved on to attempting our first traditional granny square with Jane giving simple instructions and demonstrating each stage ... sounds easy enough, but it was actually complete bedlam with everyone calling out for help and Jane and Chris fire fighting as needed. It reminded of those times teaching when it's clear that nobody has listened to what they have been asked to do and they just all fire the same question at you at the same time! Jane and Chris kept unpicking our mistakes and taking each person back to the last place it had been correct and then demonstrated the next step again ... and again ... and again!
Chris had to leave part way through the session so Jane was left on her own to help but she did really well considering most of us didn't really have a clue what we were doing! After a lot of unpicking and trying again it finally clicked for me on the second round of treble crochet but by then my hands were hurting so I took a break, which gave me the opportunity to look around the room and see how the others were doing. Imagine a group of mature women all looking completely bewildered, struggling to manipulate wool around a hook as directed so trying to copy the person next to them who wasn't doing it right either and you can get the idea. It did settle down and Jane did a marvellous job. We all left having crocheted at least the first round of the granny square but it was clear from the conversations as we left that it hasn't really clicked yet for most of the others.
It was a great group of people who all laugh easily and I certainly had a good time ... the next session is in a month's time and we'll continue with granny squares. I have the book Jane recommended so sat down to read over the instructions when I got home and I was chuffed to be able to relate what we'd actually learned to the written instructions and I feel confident enough to carry on and do some more. Joy lives very close if I do get stuck!
I've really laughed over this one - I can well imagine, having helped with the year six Knitter Knatter group in the past!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are well started but I would suggest finding a good, clear, youtube channel and watching it over and over again while you work. I find it really helps when I am stuck - remember the Tunisian crochet muddle when I was doing the blanket project?
The hand aching does get better once you are confident enough to relax your hands a bit more. Also, you will find your own way of holding the yarn and hook and making the stitches after a while.
It all sounds enormous fun! xx
Yes, it was very much like a year 6 Knitter Knatter group! It was good fun and I'm looking forward to the next session. It is great fun and I like that we are all learning together.
DeleteI looked at several videos this afternoon and settled on Bella Coco, which Marlene recommended. I've been doing it right but watching the video which has very clear instructions has helped.
The hand pain is mainly from the arthritis so it's something I will have to put up with. It's the same with the piano. Just one of those age things!! xx
I, too, laughed about the chaos at the crochet club! Not about the road closures, of course, but everyone trying to learn to crochet and the ensuing confusion! But, it sounds like it was a fun group of people and you had a good time. :)
ReplyDeleteThankfully the roads will only be closed for two weeks, assuming they complete the work on time, so it won't affect me too much. The crochet group was good fun with plenty of laughter and I really enjoyed myself. I had another practice today ... see tomorrow's post for the details! xx
DeleteHi, thanks for blogging, I read you most days. And especially thanks for sharing this - I struggle with crocheting too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting. I can recommend Bella Coco's videos on YouTube. Marlene mentioned them to me and they have really helped me, so maybe it'll be the same for you. xx
DeleteYour description of the group of learners struggling to get it right made me chuckle. That's a good idea to watch some Youtube videos and you can amaze the group with how well you have picked it up. xx
ReplyDeleteWe were all laughing at ourselves as well! I watched a lot of videos earlier this afternoon and now feel (over) confident with my abilities and will start on a blanket tomorrow ... one that's just one giant granny square like I had when I was young, rather than lots of smaller squares joined together. xx
DeleteIt sounds exactly like the class I went to! I never really got to grips with crochet and am now back to baffled by it again. I may try again someday, who knows.
ReplyDeleteThe YouTube videos really help so I'd suggest watching some of those. I watched some of the Bella Coco ones earlier on and they have really helped me. Hopefully you'll gain the same benefits from them too xx
DeleteI am working on my crochet skills, I can do simple things, granny square and blankets using different patterns, I often find Bella Coco video's and watch her, I can't follow a pattern yet.
ReplyDeleteThanks for mentioning the Bella Coco videos. I watched some of them earlier on and it's really easy to follow her instructions. I'm trying to relate what I've learned so far back to the written pattern and, while I can see with hindsight how the practical matches to the written instruction, I'm not sure that I'll be able to just follow a pattern if I wanted to attempt something new! xx
DeleteJane is a very brave woman to tackle a group of first time crocheters & well done Chris for helping. I won't cross my fingers for crocheting good luck, that would defeat the goal of a relaxed hand (col). I imagine your finger / hand exercises for piano might add with the relaxing of your hand ...
ReplyDeleteShe used to teach teenagers so has all the skills necessary to cope with a group of bewildered women! I'm glad she was leading the group and not me (assuming I could already crochet) ... she did brilliantly.
DeleteThe hand pain is to do with arthritis so it's here to stay. The piano playing helps to keep my fingers moving though not sure what the crochet will add to the equation! xx
Yikes. Crocheting really escapes me. I just can't get the hang on holding the hook and the wool. It all seems so complicated. Mum and I tried to learn one year together. We didn't do very well but had a good laugh! She could at least crochet a bit, but she had trouble with corners and ended up making a huge round blanket lol
ReplyDeleteI struggled to hold the wool and the hook as well. The best advice I was given was to hold it however you can and it will gradually evolve into a way that is comfortable for you. That's what's happened for me and I'm sure it will change again as I get better at what I am doing.
DeleteLearning was definitely a good laugh. Try the Bella Coco videos on YouTube. I found them easy to follow and she has some for absolute beginners.
Your mum's huge round blanket made me smile! xx