By Maddy One of my close friends is very talented in making crochet stuffed animals. After seeing all of these adorable little animals he had been making, I thought it could be an interesting idea to try for myself. Although most of my crafting endeavors end in me abandoning the project altogether, I am more determined to learn how to crochet. I recently moved back to Seattle after living at home during Covid-19 and since I don’t have my dog or my cat to keep me entertained, I thought that taking up a new hobby could be a fun way for me to decompress. Learning how to crochet is going to be challenging, but I am excited to be able to make things. Considering that my friend is able to help me learn to crochet, I figured it would be best to start with learning the basics first. I was debating taking up knitting instead of crochet but after doing some research I realized that knitting is much more complex than crochet. There are a few major key differences between crochet and knitting in what they allow you to create. Crocheting projects involve the use of one hooked needle and it allows for more creativity in the style of stitches. This needle can come in a wide range of sizes to accommodate the type of yarn being used. The yarn materials of today mostly include polyester, wool, cotton, etc. Knitting typically involves two large needles that can vary in size depending on what you are making. Knitting is typically more advanced in that the designs are more intricate. Crocheting seems like a great place to start learning how to work with yarn and to start learning more simple patterns or designs. I decided to go on Etsy and purchase a beginners kit for learning how to crochet. It includes a 5.5mm hook, yarn, and beginners tutorial. The kit was intended to be used to make a specific patterned washcloth, but I decided to just start watching YouTube tutorials about how to start the stitches. I thought that this video was pretty helpful in the instructions as it is intended for beginners who come from a place of no prior experience. After learning some of the basics, like how to start and continue the chain, my friend helped me out with looping it back around. The stitches are not totally complicated but it does require a lot of dexterity and focus on how many stitches you are doing. After practicing for a few weeks now, I can confidently say that I can complete a square pattern! The next step is learning how to make circle or sphere patterns so that I can make more intricate things like stuffed animals. Learning this new craft has been a fun way for me to relax and be completely focused on one thing at a given time. If you are interested in learning this fun craft, I would recommend researching tutorial videos and finding some yarn if you already have some or purchasing crochet yarn as well as a basic crochet hook. Sources:What’s the Difference Between Crocheting and Knitting? Crochet Through History History of Crochet Knitting Versus Crocheting: What’s the Difference and Which Should You Learn? How to Crochet for Absolute Beginners: Part 1
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January 2024
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