Let's build a community for all who are interested in crochet. Why don't we start with a little conversation on how everyone got into the craft? : crochet

[–] thegiddystitcher@lemm.ee 7 points 1 year ago

I learned to knit first, in 2013 after moving in with my now-husband. I'd had it on my to-learn list for ages, but wanted to wait until I actually had a stable place to live with room for yarn lol.

Ended up learning crochet about three months later because I kept seeing so many pretty patterns on Ravelry. And somehow managed to get a pattern design accepted into an actual real life magazine a couple of months after that (I have no idea how!)

Since then I've picked up just about every type of fibre craft at least once, but always come back to knitting & crochet along with cross stitch as my main ones.

It's massively soothing to have something to do with my hands. Easily portable and gets me talking to strangers in public who ask what I'm making. I mostly try and focus on clothes and wearable accessories because having a whole selfmade wardrobe is just such a cool goal even if I never get there.

Wouldn't say I'm particularly good at any aspect though, more just persistent. Maybe enabling other people? I made a beginner crochet tutorial for YouTube ages ago and get regular photos sent to me from proud newbies making their first ever couple rows 😄

[–] ReddishYellowCat@lemmy.ca 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I've been crocheting on and off for 2.5 years now. I tend to go through periods of crocheting all day every day and then switch to a total lack of interest for months. I started when my husband and I were super poor and looking for hobbies to do together. We got two balls of yarn, a cheap set of knitting needles and two crochet hooks. We tried knitting first and didn't like it. We switched to crochet and it clicked for me. Now I love making amigurumi as I can't stand making bigger items where I have to count stitches. I'm starting to freehand things and am hoping to maybe learn to make patterns myself.

[–] cicatrized@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago

I gotta get that. I tried knitting first and spent months being frustrated that I could get anything to look how I intended. Tried crochet and felt like I had been doing it my whole life.

[–] kat@lemmy.ca 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I'm not doing it yet. Just started knitting in December of last year, and am looking to get into crochet as well. I own a pack of cheap hooks and now it's just a matter of figuring out how it works.

Those who do both, which one aggravates carpal tunnel worse? I'm scared crochet will hurt more because one wrist is doing a lot, but I don't know. Also, fellow Canadians, where can I get decently priced wool yarn? Do you even use wool yarn in crochet?!?

[–] thegiddystitcher@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I have some wrist issues from an old injury and honestly I find that what aggravates mine the most is just doing any one particular thing too repetitively. So I flit around between crochet, knitting and cross stitch for the variety of movement.

There are things you can do crochet-wise though, for example you'll mostly see people flicking the wrist of their hand that holds the hook, but if mine is playing up I'll wedge my elbow against something and keep that wrist as still as possible and just do all the movement with my other hand.

p.s. yes you can definitely use wool yarn but I'm not Canadian so can't help with the other part of that 😄

[–] kat@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thanks for the help! I see a lot of crochet people using cotton and synthetic yarns, maybe because the stitch has different flexibility than knit? I already adapted my knitting to continental which helps a lot, so I may just look into methods that adapt.

[–] thegiddystitcher@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Cotton and acrylic are great for things like amigurumi because you get better stitch definition, so they do tend to be popular. Still though the flexibility makes a difference too like you say, I knitted a top from linen yarn once and it just ruined my wrist.

[–] kat@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thanks for all the help! I might just pick up a couple of cheap cotton yarns somewhere to practice crochet. Can't stand the texture of acrylic, otherwise I'd hit up the dollar store. Still hunting for decent priced wool, we'll see!

[–] thegiddystitcher@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago

Good luck with that part!

[–] StillPaisleyCat@startrek.website 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I’m just trying to get back into crochet and knitting. I used to do a lot of both before we had kids, but found it just didn’t work when they were small.

To avoid repetitive stress injuries, I alternate between knitting and crochet. They seem to use different parts of my brain.

Sometimes I feel my brain just wants one, sometimes the other. I also try to have a mix of finicky projects that take a lot of counting or with fine yarn and some with larger hooks and needles.

I find that cheap hooks are more stressful on my body. In the end, I have purchased high quality stainless steel hooks one by one over time as I need them.

As for wool in Canada, better prices are usually found at places carrying discontinued lines and colours. Wool-Tyme in Ottawa sells a lot online. If you’re visiting the region, the store has a large back area where they clear discontinued yarn. See https://wool-tyme.com/collections/sale

[–] kat@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Thanks for all your help! Unfortunately I'm not near Ottawa and don't go there too often. I'll check out what my local yarn store has on sale. Unfortunately the online retailers don't seem to have the best deals (or maybe that's just the way I feel).

My hooks are mid quality, I think? I'll upgrade to something better after I get a bit more experience under my belt. I've been known to orphan hobbies so I don't want to drop too much cash up front.

I find crochet intimidating. It's funny because I think most people feel that way about knitting?

[–] StillPaisleyCat@startrek.website 3 points 1 year ago

I knitted for many years before I was willing to seriously attempt crochet.

My grandmother taught me both, but knitting was something my mum and others could help me with later and crochet was not.

It was actually when I was really sick and need to lay up in bed for a time that I decided to give it a try. I didn’t want to wreck my knitting or needlework projects.

I sent my spouse out on a quest for some yarn, a hook and a ‘how to’ book.

I really found having a decent hook reduced my frustration. Buying one good quality one with a steel head and plastic handle in the size you need for a first project will really help.

Most of the less expensive ones aren’t smooth enough at the tip where you push into the work and some of them are too rounded. I find most of the American brands really bad. And you’ll want the metric sized ones anyway so you can have more precision. Don’t buy a whole set until you know what works for you ergonomically in terms of handles.

[–] StillPaisleyCat@startrek.website 2 points 1 year ago

Just dropping in again to add that someone has created a yarn exchange community !canadianyarnexchange@lemmy.ca.

I don’t know how people would sort out selling and exchanging yarn, but there it is.

[–] nyanimous@lemmy.one 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I only just picked up crochet in the last few months but honestly it's a team sport in my family lol, my mom and grandma both are crochet demons. I've been mostly doing small amigurumis and a cardigan a la granny squares.

I really want to start incorporating more crochet into interactive/installation art - right now I'm working on making excessive amounts of leaves, flowers, and greenery to attach to a vine made from battery powered string lights.

[–] thegiddystitcher@lemm.ee 4 points 1 year ago

That sounds fantastic! We are gonna need pics of all this stuff lol 😆

[–] tartra@lemmy.ca 6 points 1 year ago

I skimmed some of the posts and saw ADHD mentioned a few times - damn, we're crocheting ourselves a new stereotype. 😝

I have a friend who crochets a lot, and while we were at her house, she'd be working on a project of some kind. Eventually I got curious, so she handed me an old ball of yarn and showed me the double-stitch. That's still the only one I know. I've made several blankets using just that one over and over and over.

I've learned how to change colours okay, so I can make patterns by strategically swapping to different yarn, but if I really want a certain pattern, I just crochet over the surface with another round of that double-stitch. It's like a 3D thing. :D

And yes, it does keep my hands busy!

[–] marshadow 6 points 1 year ago

I started about 6-7 years ago because I saw some pixel blankets on Pinterest and wanted to make one. Then I received an amigurumi kit as a gift and started making lots of little Star Wars characters. Now amigurumi is what I’m best at, but I also want to learn how to make useful things too.

[–] Alahu@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I've never done crochet before, but I enjoy cross stitching and knitting.

I've always been interested in crochet, but haven't tried it yet. I was wondering how difficult it is to manage tension in crochet (do you even have to lol)?

[–] cicatrized@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Tension can be a tricky thing to master. This is why a lot of patterns will include a guage to indicate how big a certain number of stitches should be.

I tend to wrap the yarn throughy fingers on my off hand to help keepy tension consistent. I'm sure there are other tricks you could try too. Maybe someone else will have a suggestion?

[–] StillPaisleyCat@startrek.website 4 points 1 year ago

Wrapping around the the fingers and developing the ratcheting movement with your hand to move the yarn along seems to be the way to develop this.

Practice helps a lot.

I think it’s easier to start with a yarn that has a bit of natural flex.

Cotton is often recommended because it produces nice clean crochet stitches but it’s unforgiving in terms of tension. Fine if you’re wanting to start off with dishcloths in handicrafter yarn, but otherwise not a great thing for novices.

[–] Alahu@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago

Oh that's really useful. I didn't know that!

Thanks for the tip. I think I'll just have to get started and give it a good old try.

[–] thegiddystitcher@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Sadly the only thing I can really recommend for tension in crochet is "practise". Which I know is not a satisfying answer. Generally among the people I've taught to do it though, it seems like when you feel like you're holding the yarn loosely enough already as a beginner you should loosen up even more. If it feels like everything is "too loose", that's probably about right!

Also just wanted to mention we have a brand new cross stitch community (!lemmy_stitch@sh.itjust.works) now too that needs some content, and I for one would love to see what you've been stitching :D

[–] Alahu@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah fair enough.

Awesome to see there's a cross stitch community! Tbh I just got started and the first pattern I got is kind of mediocre. I might post the next thing I do though!

[–] thegiddystitcher@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Pfft, post ALL THE THINGS! Lemmy needs you lol.

[–] Alahu@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That's true! I guess I better make some progress so I can post my disfigured lemons lol

[–] thegiddystitcher@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago

Disfigured lemons?! Well now I'm even more excited 😄

[–] zackieethekitty@lemm.ee 5 points 1 year ago

I found a crochet DIY set and I wanted to make it for my little sister... it was supposed to be a pig, turned out to be an eldritch monstrosity 😂 but I had so much fun figuring out how it worked, it kinda stuck around and now I've been crocheting for at least 5 years :) amigurimis will always have a special place in my heart. Also, shout out to youtube tutorials haha!

[–] cicatrized@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago

I started crochet around 7 years ago.

My girlfriend used to crochet bears for her kids. It looked like such a fun way to make a gift so I started watching YouTube videos on how to crochet. Still can't make a bear but I am great at blankets haha

I find it surprisingly easy to follow complex patterns. Makes it easy to stay interested when each row is changing.

I would love to learn how to do a tapestry. I don't remember what the stitch is called but I saw some posts on Reddit where people made these beautiful portraits with yarn.

[–] whinestone_cowboy@lemmy.fmhy.ml 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I’ve been crocheting for around 10 years now.

I started when I worked in a call center. I needed something to do with my hands and something to focus on (I have ADHD). When I was on a frustrated call, I’d crochet faster.

I’ve gotten pretty good at blankets and c2c designs. I’d like to learn more about mosaic and Tunisian. I’ve tried a bit of both and found it to be quite difficult.

[–] StillPaisleyCat@startrek.website 3 points 1 year ago

I actually restarted with Tunisian at one point. It’s plastic, achieves 3D shaping, in a different way than standard crochet.

The fabric it creates is quite heavy, which it was used for throws and blankets in the Victorian era. You can however crochet in pleats and tucks. This can be great for shaping a sweater-jacket or a baby’s bunting bag.

[–] fairyhedgehog@feddit.de 3 points 1 year ago

I think it must be at least 60 years now since I first started crocheting. I've had long periods when I didn't crochet but once I found Ravelry I was hooked again.

I was interested in a lot of stuff when I was a kid, including sewing, drawing, spirograph, and crochet. Crochet seems to have stuck around. I was taught by a book, my Mum, my Nan, and an old lady my Mum knew. It took a while for it to stick.

I make great shawls, and much less good jackets, so I mostly make shawls. Also some hats and fingerless gloves.

The one thing I'd really like to be better at is seaming; mostly for knitting but for crochet too.

[–] ConfusedOrder@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago

I've been doing this since November of 2022. I like finding natural fibers all over my yard and neighborhood so I realized making rope wasn't going to be the end all. My sister tried teaching me as a kid but seeing some of the amigurumi on Reddit made me want to try again. Hopefully soon I'll be able to start making my own yarn and dying them for projects. Eventually I'd like to either buy or make my own spinning wheel and make fabric on a loom.

[–] HowlsSophie 1 points 1 year ago

I've hooked off and on for...10 years? Started knitting in high school and saw a fellow student crocheting and it looked...complicated so I didn't look into it. Fast forward a few years and started watching YouTube videos on it and it was SO much easier than knitting, especially for blankets. Made lots of scarves at first.

What am I good at? Ponchos and blankets. Was on a poncho kick for a while and now I'm back to blankets.

I'd like to learn mosaic and how to do like...pictures and such. I tend to avoid it because having to think too much about a pattern is stressful (looking at you Sophie's Universe). Relatively mindless crochet is the best crochet :)

[–] Sasnak@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I've only been crocheting for about a month and a half at this point, but I've always wanted to get into it.

After my house fire, when I had nothing to do but sit in the motel room, I decided to take the plunge and learn it. Plus, we lost all my kitty's clothes and I couldn't afford to buy her any, but I could definitely make her some!

I'd like to say I'm really good at following directions. I don't think I've been doing it long enough to really be 'good' at anything yet 😅 I've been doing a decent job learning as I go. Also, I feel like I'm good at figuring out how to make things work how I want (how to make a big plushie from a tiny pattern or how to add or things)

I'd like to learn everything! My adhd makes me disinterested in just sitting down and studying every little thing, but I can learn whatever I need to for whatever project I choose. I've yet to make any clothes for humans or anything, but I'm excited for that