crocheting

[futurmama8]

I need some help. I am a teaching myself to crochet and kinda getting it and kinda not.. I bought the book, I taught myself to crochet, and although its an ok book it doesn't explain things very well. For example it shows how to decrease but not how to increase?? I mean I don't even know what the heck that means! I don't know how to add another color b/c it doesn't explain well enough for me. I have tried watching videos on youtube and the lady I watch is pretty darn good but it clashes with the book because its her own style. I really need to build a foundation of crocheting and that book is not doing it. I want to learn how to adjust things and stuff. I figured I would make a square pot holder, easy enough right, well no it ended up looking like a trapezoid and each row was smaller than the one before. I have no idea how it happened lol but it looks cute but not what I really wanted. any suggestions for what resources I can use.

p.s. sorry for rambling I am never able to stay on topic when I write things lol THANKS

[cristeen]

The easiest way to learn not to shrink each row is to crochet a square like you're trying to. Decide how many stitches should be in each row. At the end of each row, before you turn, count the stitches. Do you have that number? Often times what happens is that you didn't stitch into the first or the last stitch, so you're "dropping" stitches. If you do that on every row, that causes the trapezoid. So on every row, count your stitches, until you're reliably getting the correct number. If the number is incorrect, go back and check every stitch of the previous row to see which one you skipped. Then just rip back to that spot and fix the mistake.

Increasing is really easy, which is probably why it's not covered. You just do 2 stitches in the same stitch. That's all there is to an increase.

As for resources, I'm sure there are plenty out there, but with specific questions like you had above, just asking on here is a great resource.

HTH

[salty]

i think the best way to learn is to find someone to help you. try taking your swatch into a local yarn store. i learned how to crochet a little bit like that, but i gained confidence and a little skill from this book: crochet your way. i think all of the projects are pretty unattractive, or at least nothing i was at all interested in making. but the learn-to-crochet afghan is great. it makes you learn many different techniques.

[somanythings]

I really liked The Happy Hooker's crochet book. I have a learning disability that makes it very hard for me to follow written directions and I actually taught myself to crochet kinda "backwards" as a child, and her directions are sooo easy to follow, I found myself learning techniques that I had never "gotten" from other books/videos. The book is called "Stitch n B!tch - The Happy Hooker". Good luck!

[futurmama8]

thanks so much!!! I have a hard time following the instructions for crocheting. I get so confused. But I will check that book out

[Justmee]

Originally Posted by somanythings

I really liked The Happy Hooker's crochet book. I have a learning disability that makes it very hard for me to follow written directions and I actually taught myself to crochet kinda "backwards" as a child, and her directions are sooo easy to follow, I found myself learning techniques that I had never "gotten" from other books/videos. The book is called "Stitch n B!tch - The Happy Hooker". Good luck!

Wow thanks for the tip! I was eyeing that one on amazon and wasn't sure if I should buy or not. I'm also dyslexic and I've just sort of gone past the basics (I still can't really follow a pattern, but I can make a hat : )

I might have to order that one now

[lobster]

A book I really like is Teach Yourself Visually - Crocheting. I found this book to be very helpful and it has some great patterns in it too. Good luck!

[Ruthla]

I could very easily sit down with you and show you how to do various stitches, but I'm at a complete loss when trying to describe it verbally. I've shown DD2 stitches, and she'll describe what we're doing in words I never would have thought to use, but that make sense to her.

If you're on Long Island, come on by and I'll show you the fancy stitches but I'll let DD1 show you how to change colors- she's better at it than I am! If you live nowhere near me, try to find somebody local to you- sometimes yarn stores offer classes, or if you have a fairly simple question a salesperson might help you for free.

[futurmama8]

Thanks lobster I will see if my library has that book.

Ruthla thanks for the offer but I live all the way in Cincinnati, but I never thought of going to a craft store to check out classes. I am making a scarf now and that helping me tweak a little. Thanks for all your help.

[mama2toomany]

I taught myself using Lion Brand yarn company's site. It was pretty easy for me. there are also youtube tuts available free.. yeah free works for me

[courtenay_e]

If you are a visual learner, I, too, would recommend finding a local yarn shoppe. NOT a big store. The yarn shoppe in our area has ladies who LOVE to show people yarn craft. They will spend as much time with a person as he or she needs to "get" a certain skill. No charge. In the end, they know that you will become addicted, and buy their yarn!

[futurmama8]

thanks guys I found a lady on youtube and she helped me a lot and answered my questions. I am making a neck warmer and will post pictures so you can tell me how I am doing. Thanks again

[funkygranolamama]

happy hooker is a MUST for new crocheters!!!

[Kodachrome]

Originally Posted by futurmama8

thanks guys I found a lady on youtube and she helped me a lot and answered my questions. I am making a neck warmer and will post pictures so you can tell me how I am doing. Thanks again

That's great!

I was just chiming in to say is sounds as though you're a "visual" learner, and would do best sitting along with someone, or watching the actual stitches being made by someone vs. trying to follow a pattern.

There are so many great books out there. For a fun and easy to follow book, I also recommend the Happy Hooker - Crochet. Using a highly visible yarn, such as variegated, helps too.