Although I can do multiple different types of “crafty” things such as x-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, sewing and the like, I always come back to crocheting.
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I learned to crochet when I was 6 by my great-grandmother who was a crochet master. She worked only in thread, rather than yarn, and made some of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. There was nothing that she couldn’t crochet, doilies, bedspreads, shawls, I really can’t remember everything that I saw when I was that little but her home was filled with handmade items. I distinctly remember a yellow rose bedspread that was featured in the local newspaper. Squares with little yellow roses surrounded by a creamy lace pattern, all joined together until the spread completely covered her bed and hung to the floor. It was to this day one of the most beautiful crocheted items I have ever seen; I wish I had a photo of it. One of my cousins still has it, I haven’t seen it in years but can still see it in my head and I am still amazed by it. She would sit and crochet while visiting with people, while waiting for dinner to cook, on her way to church, anytime and anywhere, she had a crochet hook in her hand creating something new. I am still envious of the fact that she could sit and crochet and not watch her hands, she was so confident in what she was doing that she didn’t need to watch, her hands knew what they needed to do.
For me, she took pity and bought a single skein of yarn and a larger hook and patiently taught me the basics. I have no doubt that I tested her patience more than once as I was never very good at sitting still but she spent day after day teaching me single crochet, double crochet and a bunch of fancy stitches that I wish I could remember the names of. I used and reused that same skein of yarn until it was frayed but we kept on going. After she was sure that I had the “basics” down, she bought me a new skein of yarn and it was on to how to read a pattern. She never used patterns for herself, all of her designs came from her head but she wanted me to be able to crochet with what was available so patterns became part of the lessons. I learned circles and squares, how to make flowers and shawls, lacy things were one of her favorite things to crochet so she was determined that I would know how to do them as well.
The first thing I ever made was a yarn doily, no simple granny squares for her great-granddaughter, I was going to learn how to crochet her way : ) It was blue and white with little flowers along the edge. I was so proud of myself and she was so proud of me! After the doily came a poncho that was sized just for me, I wore it until it came apart. I don’t remember how many projects I did before she decided it was time to tackle thread. I remember how tiny that hook was and how frustrating it was to try and get the stitches even. She had found a “simple” doily pattern and that is what I was working from. One day, I threw the entire spool of thread and the hook across the living room out of sheer frustration. She just looked at me for a long while, finally laughed and threw hers across the living room as well! We kept laughing, went into the kitchen for a little treat (tea and cookies), went back into the living room and got our projects and went back to work. She never said a single word about my little fit, we just went back to work. The first doily I made out of thread was a horror, the stitches were not even but she treated it like it was the crown jewels. She showed it to all of her friends, praised the stitch work and me in the process and let me know in her way that it was ok that it wasn’t perfect, the important part was that I had tried and that I had done my best. For a child with an unconventional upbringing who always felt like an outsider, that was so very important to me. It also drove me to do better the next time.
My great grandmother passed away when I was in the 7th grade but before she died, I had all of the basics down, could crochet right along with her although not with her skill and could make doilies with even stitches. We got together as often as possible and crocheted together, talking about whatever although usually about what was important in my young life, having tea and cookies and just spending time together. Crocheting had become part of my life and a part of me and to this day when I am crocheting, I think of her and all that she did for a little girl who wanted to be somebody’s favorite.
Over the years since, I have done many different things but always come back to crocheting. I find peace when I crochet, it brings back good memories and reminds me of my great grandmother and all the fun that we had over those years. It brings back memories of peaceful days, of tea and cookies, the feeling of belonging and the joy of creating. I miss her to this day.
After a long break from anything crafty at all, I recently started crocheting again. I have learned that no matter what life throws at me, sooner or later, the crochet hooks will come out and I will be creating something. Nowadays, I don’t have time to come up with my own designs, I am too busy with raising our grandson and his schooling so I am working with designs by other people although some of them I modify to suit what I feel I want. I have a few designs in my head and just have to find the time to try and put them into stitches and maybe write a pattern or two for others. I recently joined a website chock full of patterns, designers and others who love to crochet and knit. I have been having a lot of fun chatting with others who love to crochet as much as I do and testing new patterns for designers. My goal is to someday be able to crochet enough to do a few flea markets, I certainly don’t expect to make a living, although that would be nice, but every little bit helps. Most of my yarn has been given to me by others since the budget is tight so I am using it as wisely as possible. Below are some photos of things I have made recently, there isn’t a lot but at least it is a start. I am guessing that the photos of my original designs are on a disc somewhere but for the life of me, I couldn't find them :( Most of these are patterns that belong to someone else but there are some originals in there.
My current projects are test squares, a ladybug amigurami project, a lacy shawl from a chart & a doily for our favorite Pootie Queen :)
I hope you have enjoyed my little story and will enjoy the photos. If you would like more information on the patterns I used, please Kosmail me and I will be happy to provide you with additional info.
Cockatiel for my neighbor, pattern by Chiwaluv Amigurumi Critters
Stitch pattern for a shawl I am working on
Table cover for Christmas
Angry Bird - Cardinal for Cody, pattern by Adorable Amigurumi
Rugs
Bird wallhanging combining crochet and x-stitch (sorry for the poor photos) - pattern from Annie's Attic
Different Afghan Squares
Lucky Charms by Donna Kay Lacey
Star Bullion Block by Donna Kay Lacey
In Treble by Julie Yeager
Tangled Threads by Melinda Miller
Bullion Tutorial by Donna Kay Lacey
Doily in progress, I have a ways to go LOL