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Isn’t that how you go when you crochet? Can you imagine all the house elf hats Hermione could have made if all the students’ wands had hooks on the ends?  C’mon, you know you want to learn how to crochet.  It’s just a little hook, not scary at all.  And it IS all in the wrist, really.  If you can maneuver your way through signing your name in cursive you have all the coordination necessary for crochet.  I know you can do that, so all you need now is a lesson… 

There is a series class starting this Saturday, April 19, with Teresa - who’s been crocheting a long time and really knows her stuff.  That’s her work in the photos!  You wil get your introduction in the first class, from 1:30 to 3:30, and then come back on Saturday, May 17, from 12:30 to 2:30, for reinforcement and furtherance (because I have no doubts) in your newfound crochet skills.  Of course if you need guidance in between, I’m here with my left-handed-self as well!  Did you crochet a while ago and need a refresher?  Your hands will remember!

Why crochet?  Well, I’ve got a lot of reasons, but basically because **Woohoo! It’s FUN!**  Every knitter ought to have a hook in their notions bag – for dropped stitches, but also to fill in where a knitting pattern might need a little oomph.  Scroll down to the next post to see where I added crochet.  A lot of you have seen these little slippers in the store (yes, I actually wear them!).  I use crochet most of the time to tighten up or merely finish necklines of sweaters, add embellishment – nothing says funky like crochet, and on its own when I really want control over the look, size, or texture of the fabric I’m creating.  Have you seen the amigurumi done with crochet?  These little guys (are they guys?) are very cute, very weird, and very fast projects.  Amigurumi means “knitted or crocheted dolls” in Japanese.  Thanks to CrochetMe.com for the definition!  Or tawashi scrubbies for the kitchen – great for using up leftover acrylic yarns.

Most crocheters never use a pattern.  Can you imagine?  Instead of looking at that aspect as “OhmigoshIneedapatternyikessonotforme!,” look at it as something that is SO EASY you don’t actually need directions.  Seriously.  But you do need this class!

I get asked this question a lot, and it’s understandable.  Where do you get inspiration when you have no idea what to make next?  My answer is always the same:  “whatever you want to!”  I admit this isn’t the most helpful approach, but it’s true.  I won’t bore you with my own personal philosophy of the power of your own two hands… it’s long and you’ll snore.   But you can make pretty much any knit item from any yarn.  Of course some yarns lend themselves to certain patterns and gauges more easily.  Yarn choice aside, the patterns out there can be quite overwhelming.  So let’s start with a single skein of Lamb’s Pride Bulky. It’s a simple single-ply yarn that is lovely.  With it’s mohair sheen and springiness, it’s one of my very favorites!  So what can I make with this?

First of all, limitations.  You can’t make a skein of Lamb’s Pride into a winning lottery ticket – wouldn’t that be cool? - but you can make some nifty slippers. Even wool slippers can be worn in summertime in the air conditioning.  I chose black b/c I’m going to be wearing them on my feet as indoor shoes.  Also, I never knit in black so here’s my chance – it’s only one skein.

I found a pattern for a 1 skein pair of slippers on Ravelry, the Amy March Slippers by Tiny Owl Knits.  This is a super pattern for an evening’s worth of knitting, or at most a weekend.  They make quick gifts, and can be decorated without boundary.  It is a seriously easy pattern, on US10 DPNs - especially for all you sock makers out there!  You start at the toe and work your way to the heel.  I added crochet to mine, and had a lot of yarn leftover – 36 grams (out of 113) even with my additions!  So I estimate that 2 skeins would produce 3 pairs of slippers.

Don’t know how to crochet?  It’s okay – you can learn how to crochet just like you learned how to knit.  (I will forego at this point my philosophy on our massive potential for learning here… again, you’ll snore.)  There is a crochet mini-series with Teresa coming up on April 19, from 1:30-3:30pm.  The second class is May 17, from 12:30-2:30pm.  This is the class to take, with the opportunity for follow-up and reinforcement!  Knowing how to add crochet to my knitting has been a great thing – with it I was able to make these slippers my own!  All with one skein of Lamb’s Pride Bulky.