During the daytime I find it hard to get into the sewing room. I mean, I don’t mind when Wilhelmina is with me, though she does get into everything. But it is when she is not with me that I worry what she is getting into because she is the type of kid that is always getting into something.
So during the day, while the kids are doing their own thing and I have done what I want to do around the house, I either read, which doesn’t work for long because I am always interrupted or I am on the computer and honestly I am getting sick of it. The computer is such a waste of time. I read the news, read a few blogs, go on Facebook, search for things the kids ask me, check a few random sites, get lost on Pinterest or Foodgawker, watch a TV show online etc… but really what I am doing? Not that much… at least nothing that I feel really good about at the end of the day.
So I decided that I would get back into Knitting and Crochet. I have known the basics of knitting since I was a kid, but I have never really made anything more than a swatch, and I tried a bit of crochet a few years ago but didn’t really get far into it. I had the tools that were passed down to me years ago, and I am now taking the time.
I got all of my things out last week and used one day to practice knitting using the Stitch N’ Bitch book that my friend Gen passed on to me. I had never really lost the technique but I just got my hands used to the motions again.
The next day I taught myself how to Crochet.
I started by the basics: making a chain, single, half-double, double etc and then after not long, I made my first granny square.
I am now working on a different type of square that I will be able to piece together into a blanket. I love being able to do something that I have something to show for at the end of the day and that I can do when I am with the family and not hidden in my sewing room. I also love that I can do it and it doesn’t matter if I am interrupted.
What is also great is that Colin is interested in learning how to knit now and Wilhelmina has been playing with a ball of yarn and crochet hook and wants to do like me. Maybe this will catch on.
I do like the cream, blue and tan mixture in that yarn! crochet is one of my favourite, zen crafting activities!. I taught my niece(age 18) and she is going great guns making blankets and toques and scarves. Next she wants to learn socks FUN!
I’m glad you’re venturing into crochet, it really is great.
Zen Crafting Activity… yes, very much so! I find sewing is like that for me also but it is just not as portable.
hi there,
have you ever tried felting with needle??? i discovered this at the waldorf daycare where my son goes and just LOVEEEE it!
Here is a book to give you an idea of what it can look like it’s the book “A felt Farm”
http://www.livingcrafts.com/blog/giveaways/books-a-felt-farm
take care
joanna
I have never tried it but I know many that do and I love the look also, I just never really thought of doing it.
Nice move! I do the same too, knitting and crocheting. I’m doing a blanket with all my scrap yarn at the moment. It’s for my son. He’s going crazy everytime I begin a new color. loll. It’s encouraging! It goes quicker to sew, but knitting and crocheting can be done everywhere…
I wish I had a source of yarn at the moment. I will have to check the next time I am in Montreal and have the time. At the moment I am working with a yarn that doesn’t inspire me much as it is a mix of brown, yellow and green but I am making it more for Xavier and I know that he will like it. I can’t wait to have real vibrant colours though!
I find as the days get longer that I reach for handcrafts that I can pull out whenever, wherever. Usually I stick with needle felting (which is great for the kids too!) but this year I’m venturing into either knitting or crocheting (as soon as Christmas is over as I’m in hyper soaping mode for all the markets, etc). I was taught to both knit and crochet when I was younger and I’m hoping to pick it up easily again now.
You should try a french knitter for the kids (especially the younger ones!), they’d probably love it!