nun bet

Well, folks, this is one reason why I haven’t been blogging as usual. I have a new hobby - crochet! As long as I can remember, my grandmother has been a crocheter. I wanted to learn too! Before my recent trip to the US for Christmas, I asked her if she would teach me how to crochet while I was there. She was very excited to help me learn how to crochet

Learning to crochet isn’t easy but with a little help and practice, I was able to do it. My grandmother sat me down and showed me the basics: how to start, make a chain, turn, and a basic half-double crochet stitch. She was there to guide my work and to help when I got stuck. It was great and a really special time for us both! The hardest part is keeping good, even yarn tension over your hand. I think that we made three deformed potholders together before I felt confident to go at it on my own. The red scarf pictured with this post is my first independent crochet project ever from start to finish! Of course, I gave this scarf to my grandmother.

For this scarf I think that I chained 23 and then turned inserting my hook into the third stitch from the hook and the following rows were all half-double crochet. I added fringe to the ends, but I don’t know if I like it. I think in time and with a little dampening, the fringe will straighten out. I’ll have to check in with my grandmother to see how that’s going. As a beginner, my stitches were really tight. In the weeks (about 3 now) since she taught me, I have learned to loosen up on the yarn and my stitches are more relaxed.

I have been a crocheting fool! On the plane back to Israel, I finished a scarf for my mother and started one for Yaacov. I’ll post pictures of these soon. I’ve made one secret project that had about 3780 stitches! - and we’ll just have to leave it at that for now. I am working on another secret project that I hope to finish today or tomorrow. I am also working on this skinny scarf as practice for a larger project.

I have enjoyed talking to people about crochet and it seems like lots of people are excited about it when they see me working away. After seeing me crochet, Y’s mom said earlier today that she plans on starting to knit again after several years away from her needles. A couple of people at work want me to help them learn too. I even found a cool online group of men who crochet (hey guys!). There are tons of online sources of information and inspiration as well. I particularly like Crochet Me. It seems to be relatively new because there isn’t too much content yet. I like their fresh and fun perspective.

I’ve developed a new appreciation for crocheted and knitted handicrafts after really experiencing for myself how much time goes into making each piece. It makes Savtadotty’s creations all the more impressive (even though it is knitting ). Another really cool thing about making a project for someone is the intention that goes into every stitch. It’s like a little meditation about the recipient - sending good vibes about them out into the collective unconscious as you make something nice for them to wear. Or maybe that’s just love.