mind of winter: I've gone over to the dark side....

May 30, 2007

I've gone over to the dark side....

I think the picture says it all. Back in March, when I visited my girlfriends in Phoenix, I found myself at a "crafternoon" gathering with nothing to work on, because the only thing I brought with me was the Harvey Vest that I was making for Ellen's baby shower. Since she was present, I couldn't very well pull it out for seaming! Instead, Ellen happily gave me a ball of variegated cotton and a crochet hook that she had abandoned and said that I was free to try it if I liked, because she was done with crochet. Unwilling to be without yarn in my hands while surrounded by women knitting and stitching, I decided to try my hand at a single crochet square. I made some mistakes (like not making a loop at the end and consequently decreasing on every row for a few rows!), but overall it was pretty cute. I use it as a coaster on my night stand.

Marnie's pretty square (top right), my wobbly first square (left), my "volcanic" attempt at crocheting a circle (bottom right)

Truth be told, I have been contemplating crochet for a long time, as two of my closest knitting pals, Marnie and Mary Heather, are excellent crocheters and have made some beautiful things. I have long been able to do simple crochet edgings for knits, but I've always said that I just crochet to get by, and have never taken the time to learn more. My little foray into crochet in Phoenix got me curious, so the next time Marnie visited in April, I recruited her to teach me how to make a granny square. By the time she left, I still couldn't read a pattern, but I could look at something she crocheted and mimic it. Then on my trip out to Portland early this month, I immersed myself completely and picked up some crochet pamphlets from Joann's and some wonderful Japanese crochet books. Since then, I've been playing around with crochet when I get the chance and have even started experimenting for a crochet design that I have in mind. It will be a while before I work on that in earnest, but it's been a fun diversion to tinker with.

For those who are curious, the last two weeks have been hellacious at work, which is why all I've managed to produce for you is a picture of me getting dressed in the morning! I have found time to work on Mishka, my Create Along design, though, and have almost finished the first piece. I'll post an update when I next find a chance. I've had no time to make the blog rounds or engage in proper correspondence, so I will just say here that I'm thinking of everyone and hoping you are well. Thanks so much for your sweet and thoughtful comments - I enjoy reading them!

Posted by Julia at May 30, 2007 07:28 AM
In crochet | main

Comments

omg...you crochet also...

Posted by: Orli at June 7, 2007 05:43 AM

I'm glad to know SOMEONE found a use for that poor crochet hook. Yarn crafts and I are blood enemies...

Posted by: Ellen at June 4, 2007 10:02 AM

Crochet definitely has its place...I have done a couple of shawls and adore them. Still have to try my hand at the grannie squares however

Posted by: BAM at June 3, 2007 05:21 PM

Cute square! I've always thought of crochet as more of the 'less light' side rather than the true dark side. Now macrame on the other hand...macrame is totally the dark side. ;-)

Posted by: Laurel at May 31, 2007 06:31 PM

Hi! I've always wondered why crochet is looked upon as the child who is hidden away in the attic? When I first started going to yarn stores, I only knew how to crochet and when I would utter the word, I got either strange looks or sometimes women would just come out with some snide comment like, "Oh, you c-r-o-c-h-e-t." Either "poor you" or "I now see that you really have no talent for fiber arts."

My grandmother knows how to knit, but stopped doing so because for some reason it hurt her wrist. She has been crocheting for God knows how long and creates the most amazingly beautiful blankets and doilies and ornaments.

I'm so sorry that work has been so wicked for you. I hope it eases up soon!

Posted by: Tana at May 31, 2007 03:41 PM

I prefer to follow japanese symbol actually. Only recently I learn to read english written instruction.

Posted by: Lily at May 31, 2007 11:08 AM

Hahaha, look at you. That's great, Julia! ; )

Posted by: Vicki at May 31, 2007 07:15 AM

ah! the secret is out!

i will admit, that on your urging, i picked up a hook for a few hours this week.

Posted by: loriz at May 31, 2007 05:35 AM

I got the bug also. Took a class with cecily Keim this past weekend. She's an excellent teacher. I'd love to make the Babette Blanket .

Posted by: Sandy at May 30, 2007 06:27 PM

yay for crochet! I can't deny it, crochet makes the best blankets and afghans (although aran cabled knit blankies get me everytime).

Posted by: Julia at May 30, 2007 05:26 PM

ahh, the granny square, a delicious kind of crack-like creating that requires little time and even less mind power. i may have to join you, darth, as it seems that despite my desire, i am having execution problems in the knit world. sleep dep coupled with horrible ezcema on hands from frequent hand washes conspire to prevent the 2 stick action. but, grannies, oh yeah. i think i can do that. sorry your work keeps you away, i long for a long julia post. smiles.

Posted by: mames at May 30, 2007 05:09 PM

I'm not a crocheter myself (apart from the rare crocheted edge on a knit), but can appreciate its own particular beauty. And when Interweave devotes a quarterly magazine to it, you know it's just a matter of time before crochet resurfaces as a hot craft. Nice first efforts :)

Posted by: connie at May 30, 2007 03:42 PM

It's not dark over hear, just drink the Kool-Aid and make yourself at home.

Posted by: Marnie at May 30, 2007 01:48 PM

If Wendy from Knit and Tonic can expand her horizons making Japanese balls, you can crochet. Just don't abandon us knitters, k?

Posted by: Leslie at May 30, 2007 11:56 AM

The dark side...don't worry, I'll still be friends with you! ;) PS: Admit, I do love those squares.

Posted by: Nonnahs at May 30, 2007 09:46 AM

I just got two Japanese crochet books too! If you figure out how to interpret the instructions, let me know . . . . .

Posted by: Jennie at May 30, 2007 09:32 AM

Is it wrong that I've been contemplating those cute crochet toys? I never had the desire to knit a toy, but crochet, hmmmm.

At least it's not lonely over here.

Posted by: Cara at May 30, 2007 09:32 AM

HA! Well, welcome to the party! I'm not a very good crocheter but I do love making grannies. There's a granny-along, there's a ripple-along...at the moment I'm obsessed with the Babette blanket, which is the fault of the ladies over at Purl (look for it on the Purl Bee section). Those squares are a little fiddly to get started but just as much fun, and making the 2-round squares is like eating chips. (All the double-crocheting seems to be helping my upper arms.)

Anyway.

Posted by: Jen at May 30, 2007 09:16 AM

Hi Julia,

Very nice granny square. I have been known to make hundreds using up odd bits of yarn, then sewing them together - gasp - on the sewing machine to make a bed coverlet - I lacked the patience to join all the squares by hand.

Cam

Posted by: cam at May 30, 2007 09:12 AM