NatCroMo Blog Tour Love

Happy National Crochet Month! 

Today I thought I would talk about being a crochet beginner! I recently have been reminiscing about when I first started out and how it was such a trying time for me because there was so much to learn. It felt like I was drowning in a sea of crochet terminology and because I am the perfectionist type, I like to learn things quickly and know everything there is to know...but in the case of crochet, I certainly did not.

My very first trip through the crochet aisle I bought 10 different colored skeins of Red Heart Super Saver and Boye's I Taught Myself to Crochet kit and headed home to become a crocheter.

(<----THIS IS THE ACTUAL BOOK!)




But, there was a huge problem...the sketches of how to complete the stitches didn't make any sense to me. It took me quite a while to really understand them. I envy those learning now with all the Youtube videos out there, and I totally suggest everyone take full advantage of them.

Here are some other things I wish I knew about or I wish were available resources when I was first learning and I want to share them with you: 

Craft Yarn Council: This is one of the most important sites I could mention. They have so many resources from crochet abbreviation and chart symbols to sizing charts and skill level explanations. They even have a tab for some charities you can get involved with.

Crochet Guild of America: Being a member of the CGOA is one of the best decisions I have ever made in professional career. There are so many great resources for crocheters. Read about it in their "Top 25 Reasons to Join the CGOA" article.

Stitch Guides: There are a bunch of books out there with different stitch patterns in them and I think they are great resources for learning. Especially those that also include the charted version of the pattern. I think it is very important to also learn those symbols and not just the abbreviations. 

Printable Reminders: My friend Sheri from Frogging Along created these awesome printables to help you keep track of your projects. She designed Work in Progress (WIP) cards, a "Hooker's" Journal, there's even a non-specific crafter's version of the journal and one for loom knitters (with one for knitters in the works). I cannot tell you how many designs have been ripped out because I couldn't remember the hook or pattern I was using and I so wish I had thought to have something like these set up. (Pssst...I hear she has more templates in the works too, so keep an eye out!)

Crochet Lingo "Dictionary":  If you follow me on Facebook you probably read about my run in with a business page The Chunky Hooker and how I was in complete shock that someone was advertising themselves (and that profession) on social media like that, only to find out that was just a slang term for a crocheter. Whoops. It would have been great if I had a dictionary of sorts with this info in it. If you click HERE you will go to my lingo blog post. (Sheri's hooker's journal does have some of the more popular ones included.)

There is just so many aspects to the crochet world and I say explore, explore, explore. And definitely don't give up. Crocheting is one of the most fulfilling crafts and once you learn those basic stitches the [crochet] world is your oyster!

Special Thanks to Amy and Donna Crochetville for hosting this blog tour!

And Thanks to all of you for stopping by my little piece of the blog world!

In honor of National Crochet Month and the NatCroMo blog tour I have two great offers. One is a giveaway where one lucky winner will receive 5 patterns of their choice 

(widget found below) **NOTE: This is different from what is posted on Crochetville because I made a last minute change so I could make it a little better!

And I'm also having a 50% off pattern sale using code: BLOGTOUR15 good for one week: 3/8 - 3/15. Enjoy and good luck! 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway