Thursday 28 May 2015

Beginner's Guide To Crochet - A Blog Hop

A few weeks ago, whilst I was having my little blog break, I was asked by lovely Heather of the gorgeous blog Pink Milk, if I would like to take part in a blog hop.  The reason for the blog hop was to celebrate the publication of a new book by Sarah Shrimpton of the very inspiring Annaboo's House.

The book is called Beginner's Guide to Crochet - 20 Crochet Projects for Beginners.  It's a truly lovely book with wonderful projects and I really like the friendly, chat style which it's written in.  I have my eye on a few projects already....the little hearts, super scarf and Bertie & Betty Bear.


As part of the blog hop, all the bloggers taking part (and you can see the other lovely participating blogs here ) were asked to write a post about our beginner crochet experiences and to share either a crochet 'win' or a crochet 'fail'.


I learned to crochet around 2 and a half years ago.  I'd been desperate to learn for ages after seeing beautiful, colourful blankets on lovely blogs like Attic24 and Cherry Heart....I really, really wanted to make my own blanket!  I could knit already but I'm quite a slow knitter and I knew a knitted blanket would take me an age. I didn't know anyone who could crochet, so my good friend and I got together one afternoon whilst our children were at school and set about learning from various You Tube videos.  For the next week I sat every night when Miss M was in bed and practised, referring back to the videos again and again.  I think I drove G a little crazy!  There were lots of wonky granny squares and lopsided practise squares but finally it seemed to click.  One of the first big projects I made, was 
of course a blanket, and I still love it...
























I loved making this blanket....I was so proud of it and I still am actually!  This blanket is really well 
used in our house....it's cosy and snuggly and I love the soft colours.  I think that if you've made something and over 2 years later, you still love it, then that's a definite crochet win!
Nowadays,  I always have a blanket on the go...







Actually, I always have more than one on the go...it's more like several usually, although I only have 2 in progress at the moment!  So that's my little crochet story!  Crochet is my absolute favourite hobby, it's so relaxing and it takes my mind off things if I've had a stressful week at work.  The only thing about it is...it's highly addictive!  But then another bonus is that you can make so many beautiful things with crochet...can you tell that I just love it?!  

I would love if you shared your own crochet 'win' with me...


X












21 comments:

  1. I learnt to crochet over 30 years ago, my first project was a cot blanket for my first born. I have no idea where it is now it was passed around the family for years.

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    1. How lovely that your first crochet item was passed around your family.
      Marianne x

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  2. Crochet is on my list to learn how to do it, but just never seem to have chance - plus shows how dumb I am I never thought of learning via you tube... doh!!! I see all these gorgeous makes and feel I'm missing out lol xxx

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    1. You Tube worked for me and I can highly recommend it....that and lots of perseverance!
      Marianne x

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  3. Hi Marianne, I really liked seeing your first blanket. I've always found your crochet very inspiring. I learned to crochet as a child, but really mastered it about four years ago when I made a ripple from Attic 24's pattern. Then I was unstoppable, I wanted to crochet all the things. :)

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    1. Thanks for your sweet words Jennifer. I've yet to try a ripple, but it's on my (very long!) list.
      Marianne x

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  4. I'm also a lifelong knitter who learned to crochet a couple of years ago. I was really excited when it all started to make sense. Your blanket is very pretty.

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  5. Crochet is just a big win for me. I love it and have multiple projects on the go because I always want to try something else.

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  6. I always like your crochet makes, they're so lovely and you always use the prettiest colours. I learned to crochet when I was in primary school but then forgot all about it. I picked it up again, and had to learn all the basics, about two years ago. I'm still learning and I've yet to make a big project like a blanket. At the moment I am working on a shawl. I'm loving the stitches and pattern so far, so hopefully this will be a win! X

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    1. I'm sure your shawl will be gorgeous Marion, I'm looking forward to seeing it.
      Marianne x

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  7. Hi Marianne, my crochet win has to be a ballerina wrap cardigan I made for my then 6 year old niece. I taught myself to crochet five years ago and this was my first project, it took a few attempts before I got it right but was so worth it as she loved it so much she refused to part with it even when it became much too small for her. Hx

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  8. What a beautiful blanket; such pretty colours. I learned to crochet last year when I put it on my 50 list. My first project was a patchwork square cushion and, like you, it involved LOTS of You Tube videos! Then I discovered Attic 24 and fell in love with blankets. I'm just starting my second ripple one and loving it. xx

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  9. Hi Marianne, thank you so much for joining in with the blog hop! It's been so great to read other people's early crochet stories.
    I think your blanket is absolutely lovely- a definite win.
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
    Sarah @Annaboos House xx

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    1. Thank you Sarah! And I love your new book...its fabulous. I've really enjoyed taking part in the blog hop, thank you.
      Marianne x

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  10. I love your first blanket - it's definately a 'win'! What a great achievement! I taught myself to crochet about six years ago, starting with a little basic book from the library - I didn't really know about you tube and all that stuff back then! The first thing I made was a scarf - very long and very thin with very wonky sides! It was a good while before I finally learned how to keep straight sides (and I can still only do this when using basic stitch!) So I'm still learning. I've got a massive, lovely, soft and colourful blanket on my bed that I definately think is a win - i love waking up underneath it, deciding which of the giant nine coloured squares is my favourite that day! You're right about it being addictive too! I'm doing the Cherry Heart Painted Roses blanket at the mo, and have also started making little sample shapes and notes about my next one! I have to be strict and try and stick to one at a time - that's my goal from now on!
    Kate x

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  11. Gosh, I thought you'd been crocheting for a lot longer than two years, Marianne. I'm actually quite envious that you learnt with a friend - it's only through blogging that I've met other crocheters. Do you and she still get together to hook? I too always love your choice of colours and that blanket is a total joy. xxx

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    1. Hello lovely Heather...no unfortunately my friend didn't really stick at it. She comes round for a cuppa...I crochet whilst she chats! It was great learning together though and I keep telling her she must get back into it! Thank you for your sweet words and for choosing me as your blog hop partner...I've really enjoyed it.
      Marianne x

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  12. So glad that you found crochet and can share the fun with us! I love blanket making too and as I can't knit it is perfect for me as well. Happy crocheting!! xx

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  13. It's interesting to read about how others got into crochet. I started learning after a Black Sheep Wool workshop held at a Creative Stitches show in Event City, Manchester. My two friends and I had an hours intense tuition and came home with a granny square!
    My grandma was and my mum is a serious knitter/crocheter so I learned to knit as a little girl but I just couldn't crochet! I'm happy I can now crochet, it's opened up a new world of creative possibilities! xx

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  14. Your blankets are beautiful and you should be very proud of them. I have just found your gorgeous blog via the equally gorgeous Attic24 blog. I don't crochet but since finding these blogs I am quite desperate to do so!!! I have always been creative but up until now crochet passed me by. It has just been my birthday, and my oldest daughter gave me a crochet hook and a ball of wool, so......I am now on a mission to learn, and to make a blanket!

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