While I was inspired by my grandmother and her sister to learn how to crochet, I learned by watching YouTube videos.

 

By now, especially in this post-pandemic world, most of us have learned a new skill or hobby thanks to many online resources like YouTube. Back in 2014, I was expecting my second daughter and I had a sudden urge to create. My nesting phase with my second pregnancy was very different than my first. It was odd, but I went with it.

One day I was bringing down some crocheted blankets from the closet and I started to admire one that my grandmother’s sister gifted me ages before. It was so beautiful and it was one of a kind. I loved that. I started to reminisce about the things she and my grandmother had made and done when we were all younger. I realized that one day this family treasure would be gone.

That’s when I decided I wanted to learn how to crochet. It was important for me to be able to continue this family tradition and pass this skill on to my daughters too. I went on a few crochet blogs and started to see that all I needed to start was a hook and yarn so off I went to Michael’s and I bought myself my first skein and hook!

I wasn’t consistent with practicing crochet through the years. I often let life get in the way and would forget about my bag with yarn and hooks in the closet for months on end. Eventually still, when the bag did come back out, time would just fly when I got my hands on those projects I had pressed pause on!

I became significantly much more consistent with crocheting and building on my skillset from 2021 on. I’m constantly learning new things and enjoying every step of the way. I don’t know how far I will go with this craft and how much I will be able to learn, but I do know I have met my ultimate goal of allowing the family tradition to live on. That makes every frog and every “happy accident” well worth it!

Here are some of the resources I used when first getting started.

I found a playlist on YouTube with 24 beginner lessons called The Cutzy Crochet Lessons. They did exactly what I needed them to do which was to teach me the basics like how to hold my yarn and hook, and what a gauge was, and basic stitches.

After that, I explored Pinterest for easy and free patterns and slowly made my way through until I was able to read and follow patterns like any other instruction manual. It takes time and patience, but once you have the hang of it, you’ll be zooming ahead making all of the things crochet!

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