Just starting to crochet....?

Question

I've wanted to learn to crochet for years now (my grandmother and aunt are both very good) and I've finally bought the supplies and set my mind to it. I'm using a (horrible) book and the help of youtube to get the basic stitches down. I know if I run across any major problems I can get help from my aunt, but I kind of want to surprise them with my knowledge.

Anyway, my real question...I'm making myself learn a stitch a night...last night was chain stitch (the beginning) and tonight I learned slip stitch. At this rate I'll have completed the "how-to" book in about 10 days or less, and then I'm hoping to start on a baby blanket. My baby is due December 6th. Will I be able to make an appealing blanket by then? Or will I need more practice first?

Answer 1

Years ago I wanted a pretty shawl which was warm and at the same looked nice for me to wear when I went dancing, so I got a pattern which showed pictures of all the stitches that were in the pattern and explained how to do them & just followed it.

My advice to you is don't try to do one stitch a night but get yourself either a pattern like the ones I had or have a look at some of the websites - use the yahoo search engine to look for annies attic etc, or email me at [e-mail] and I'll send you some more website addresses.

And YES you will be able to make lovely shawls, baby clothes and blankets by the time your baby is born.

Answer 2

Once you get the basics down..you can make a blanket in a week...and believe me it's that easy....all you need to know is how to start....the pattern...how to mount ( i call it mount when you go from the end to the top to start another round either circle or square etc. you i'm thinking square since your doing a blanket.) and then how to end. I'm in the same position as your or I was....everyone crochets and I want to keep the trend going I don't want it to die with them or with me.....Anyways if you want to share comments or pictures then let me know...add details your email or just say email me and I can send you some of my pictures of what I have or we can just talk. Good luck..congrats!

Answer 3

My suggestion is to choose a simple pattern (one or two stitch combination) and top it off with a simple border like a scallop or picot (both are easy to do with practice). You can borrow books from the library that teaches you how to crochet. When my mom taught me how to do the basic stitches I borrowed books to expand on what I've learnt. Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet was one of my favorite book to borrow. Good luck.

Answer 4

I'm a self taught knitter and crocheter (it get's addicting really fast, so I wouldn't worry too much about learning one stitch a night with practice you'll be crocheting in no time at all) what i found very helpful was buying two diffrent types of books one was more aimed towards kids/teens and another more adult and you find that sometimes one explains something diffrent than the other and you just get it.  

As far as making a blanket for you baby, you'll be able to make a blanket with very few stitches so once you get the hang of single and double crochet there are plenty of patterns for baby afghans that you can make and they don't take too much time.  i practiced first with smaller things like scarves to practice diffrent stitches until i felt comfortable with them.  There are plenty of websites besides youtube that you can use to help you out if you ever get stuck.

No matter what you do i'm sure you're going to love it and end up making a whole bunch of stuff. Congrats and the baby and happy crocheting!!

I added a few links below....

Answer 5

I'd recommend finding a pattern you like then practice the stitch making a small swatch or square.  Have you checked out the Lion Brand web site at: http://lionbrand.com/  Click on Pattern Finder and Type in Free crochet baby blanket and many options will come up.  They rate their patterns easy, beginner, etc.  I love to crochet and it does go fast so I'm sure you'll have more than a blanket finished for your baby.  Good Luck!