Monday 10 March 2014

It's never too late to learn!

I recently saw a photograph somewhere of a lovely crocheted coat made entirely from granny squares.  I thought 'I want a coat like that' but the only way I would get one would be to make it myself.  Unfortunately I can't crochet but have set about learning.   I fell in love with this beautiful yarn which is more vibrant than it appears here, and have decided to make a waistcoat first to see how I get on.  The yarn is 4ply and quite soft.  It will be fine for a waistcoat but already I can see that a double knitting yarn would be better for a coat and make a firmer and more practical fabric.

Granny squares are the simplest type of crochet so I bought myself a little book of designs and started with the basic one.

I am slowly building up a nice stock of these.  What a pity I'm not a size 12 - I wouldn't need nearly so many to make a garment!    I found that I could work out what I was supposed to be doing better from the photographs in the booklet than from the written instructions.  Not the best way to learn perhaps but our local wool shop runs classes for beginners in knitting and crochet which should enable me to learn the terminology and follow a pattern.   I shall put my name down when the next ones are announced.

It is a lovely therapeutic pastime and this weekend I have even sat in the garden making my little squares.  I have also got dirt under my fingernails at last and done my first gardening of the year.  The front garden looks as if it has had it's hair combed as my husband has cut the grass.  There was quite a chorus of lawn mowers from all directions around us over the past few days - the sunshine has obviously stirred all us fairweather gardeners into action.

It has been so lovely to sit outside in a sheltered corner and I have seen several butterflies, ladybirds and bumblebees.  I hope the weather doesn't turn colder again and take them by surprise.   The snowdrops which were such a joy a week ago have suddenly disappeared, but all sorts of other things are arriving to take their place.   It really is a lovely time of year.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wasn't it a gorgeous weekend? Today has been so different. I used to enjoy crocheting but not in squares - one has to join those together - not a good experience.

Ro Bruhn said...

You're waistcoat is going to look fabulous in those delightful colours, can't wait to see the finished garment. We are into autumn over here but someone hasn't told Mother Nature as our temperatures are still in summer mode.

Robin Mac said...

I love the colours in that wool you are using. I agree with Toffeeapple - the thought of joining up all those squares is not good.
glad you are having good weather at long last. Cheers

sharon young said...

Wow! What a lot of squares, I couldn't even get 1 right, love the colours in the yarn too.

Carol Q said...

gorgeous yarn Heather. I found Youtube helpful when I was mucking about with crochet. looks like good weather for Gold Cup week (and my week off! lol)

Maggi said...

The colours of that yarn are just scrumptious.

Gina said...

They look like pretty good granny squares for a beginner. Wasn't the weekend glorious. Unfortunately I was working so no dirt under my fingernails yet this year!

Twiglet said...

Gorgeous colours in that yarn - don't forget to show us the finished item. I am having a knitting phase at the moment. x Jo

Crafty Green Poet said...

what lovely squares, such vibrant colours! I wish i could crochet, but have taken up weaving small items as an alternative....

The Weaver of Grass said...

That crochet is coming along fine Heather - good luck, I love the colours of the wool.
I sat out in the sun for a while this morning, waiting from my friend to collect me for our exercise class. There was a cool wind but in a sheltered spot it was glorious.

Aussie Jo said...

Lovely wool, looking forward to seeing your waistcoat when it's ready.

Maureen said...

I taught myself to crochet, which wasn't easy as I'm left handed, mainly because I grew up watching my maternal grandmother walking around the house crocheting away with her thread in her apron pocket and her pattern in her head, she did the most lovely lace patterned things and I followed on eventually, I built up a lovely collection of crochet lace patterns which i don't think you can get now.
I've e mailed you Heather.

Sara lechner said...

crochet is wonderful and easy to learn! I know you will enjoy it!

Sara lechner said...

crochet is wonderful and easy to learn! I know you will enjoy it!

Sara lechner said...
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Sara lechner said...
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Linda Vincent said...

Crochet is a lovely thing to just pick up at any time......and there's only ever one stitch to accidently drop!
Hope you continue to enjoy it.
The wool is fab by the way! X