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| Featured Pattern of the Week: Wedding Ring Quilt |
        Interested in knitting? Visit our sister site: Knitting Pattern Central | Encouragement and TestimonialsHere you can read or submit your own humorous stories and bits of encouragement, whether they be nostalgic, mirthful, or thought-provoking. Any memorable, true-life crochet story qualifies, so sit back and relax to read--or submit! Name: Jana Subject: toys Comment: I am a teacher in Saudi Arabia. I am just now ending my third year teaching third grade! I started crocheting again (after over 30 years away from it!) when I first got here. At that time, the internet connection I had was so slow that it would take 20 minutes to load ONE email! I got so frustrated until one day I saw some yarn in a shop and decided to try crocheting again to have something to do while pages loaded. At first I just made scarves and some hats without patterns. Whenever I looked at a pattern, I would shudder and think, "No way can I do THAT!" The fall of my second year I decided to try again. This time I didn't give up. I now have five notebooks with patterns from the internet, as well as about ten other crochet guides and pattern books! My latest love is Amigurumi. I started with a little dragon, and haven't stopped yet! As a result, so many of the kids at school want me to make THEM toys! But the best thing happened today. A second little girl came to me with some money to buy a crochet hook (I ordered several from the States), and that was great, but even better was one of my BOYS coming to my desk asking for a hook, but he also had two balls of yarn! I knew he was serious and I spent about 30 minutes after school with him teaching him the slip not, holding the yarn, hook, etc. He picked everthing up in a snap! His motivation? He wants to make a frog like the one I made! This is especially heartening, because boys, as a rule in this culture, would NEVER be caught dead doing a "girls" activity! I just pray he doesn't get teased and end up giving it up, since he seems to have a natural talent for crochet. I will be working with the three children during recess these last few weeks of school, and then we talked about meeting in town at one girls house when school is finished to continue lessons! I am so glad that I can point these little people to wonderful web site to help and guide them when I am not around! Thanks! Name: thecrochet Subject: Some critics are hidden admirers Comment: I've experienced this my self. One of my relatives kept giving me bad remarks about any project I was working on during her visits. She would say words like, "what's this. It isn't worth the time you're spending on...etc" Accidentally, through one of her visits, I told her that I am going to make her a gift. She immediately shouted "Yes, yes, please make me a small throw like the one you've made last week" Name: Rhiannon Subject: Individual fashions Comment: I learned to crochet less than 2 months ago, and I'm already half way through my first dress. So far I've finished a scarf and a purse, almost finished one cardigan, and as soon as that's done I'm starting another dress. It's so good to have individual fashions that no one else will have and that look good too. There are so many great modern yarns out there that it's very easy to make a great outfit with a few basic shell stitches. Try finding 1960s and 70s patterns and imagining what they would look like in modern yarn - a simple shift dress is always in vogue! Name: karen Subject: crochet for grand childern Comment: i am so thankful i learned to crochet, i love doing things for them, purses are one of their favorite items. it took me along time, i was discouraged by someone remark, that was, i have never seen anybody so stupid. when she tried to teach me in the early 70's . i am 63 now and been crocheting for 2 years Name: Jamie Subject: A little bit of closure Comment: When I am working on a large project like an afghan and I feel like I will never finish, I set it aside and work on a scarf or a few dish cloths so I can actually finish something. Then I pick up the large project and the feeling of closure allows me to continue with the large project. Name: Donna Subject: a way to encourage Comment: I used to crochet little thing when I was younger, like barbie clothes and bookmarks, then life took over and I found other hobbies...but recently I took up crochet again after deciding to become involved in a prayer shawl ministry...they are a great way to reach out to others, but I wanted to do something different. So I recently made a baby afghan for my nephew's little girl and liked how it turned out. Then I stumbled on a wonderful american flag afghan and wanted to make it for my best friend whose son is in Iraq. It is about half done and can't wait to see the look on her face when I give it to her...I wish I had time to make one for all our brave soldiers...there's nothing better than using a pastime to make others feel better... Name: Beverly Subject: crochet as therapy Comment: Like many of you here, I learned to crochet a long time ago. Life happens and my crochet supplies got pushed back into the closet. Well, the pounds packed on and I needed to have stomach surgery. My crocheting came back out of the closet to kill the time recooperating. Not only fun and therapeutic, it kept my hands busy with something else but going from food to mouth! It has been a terrific distraction. My family and friends are happy too- lots of christmas presents and lots of pink things for my niece's new baby Caitlin. :-) Name: Becca Subject: crochet Comment: I am 13, and I just learned how to crochet. I love it! Name: Carla Subject: starting again Comment: After years of raising kids, I find myself with some time on my hands. My youngest daughter is a Social Worker...I am very proud that she chose to try to make a difference in the lives of children without families. This year I found my tote filled with yarn. Most of the balls of yarn are left over from things I made years ago. While I was wondering what I could do..I found this site! What a good way to get back to crocheting but, what could I do with all these little guys that were so huggable? My idea: I make them, and I give them to my daughter. She in turn gives them to her kids. Maybe there are others with all sorts of odd bits of yarn that are wondering what to do it it and that is the reason for this little bit of information!!! Thanks for all these FREE patterns!! Name: Linda Subject: Crochet for all Comment: My grandmother taught me to crochet so long ago (sort of) I was terrible at it. Then I taught myself what mistakes I was making and I haven't stopped since- it is addicting. Now I have pride in saying that I have taught many of the youth where I work at an alternative juvenile program for troubled youth how to crochet. I have taught boys as well as girls. I believe that when they leave they will stop for a while but be able to pick it up to beat an addiction or to help them to work out problems they will face in the real world. Hopefully they will just continue... Name: Willow Merritt Subject: Crocheting for a hobby Comment: My name is Willow Merritt and my absolute hobby is goofing around with yarn and a crochet hook... sigh... you never know what you'll get when you crochet freeform. Well to all the guys... Keep it up. To all the girls out there... great job and it'll be great getting to know all of you. Name: Kristin Subject: finding my own niche Comment: My aunt taught me to crochet when I was 16. Well, actually just the chain and double crochet stitch. I have no idea why just those two. I fell in love with crochet. I could never quite get what I was making on to come out even on the sides. I was young and gave it up. This year I was cleaning out my closet and found an old scarf I had started some years back. I picked it back up, and I was surprised that I remembered the stitches. I started to learn the proper way to crochet and all the stitches, and needless to say everyone received scarves and hats for Christmas this year. I found something that was my very own, my own little way to feel artistic. I think this is important for all women, especially if you feel like you are stuck when it comes to creativity on the wheel of life. I find that crocheting gives me a sense of empowerment. When I complete a project I feel as though I can accomplish anything. I am so grateful that I have found this artistic outlet again. Name: sarah Subject: crochet Comment: when i was 8 my mom tried so hard to teach me to crochet. of course i had no patience for it! then i discovered i have a nuro-disability that affects my motor control, i thought i would never be able to make the beautiful things that my mother made. but this Christmas i was given a gift card to the book store. i was just going to pick up a book on photography (my major) but right behind me was "Crochet for Dummies" and i was determined to learn. i have only been crocheting for one month. but i have never been happier with my self. every one i know is getting scarfs, cell phone cozies, and hats next Christmas! Name: Emilee Subject: Crochet actually saved my life Comment: I used to have a severe self injury problem. One night, I had decided to take my own life, but then I got a text from a close friend. "Are you gonna make my hat or what? I've been waiting all year!" it said. So, I started to make the hat. It was lumpy, due to my lack of concentration. But then, when I gave it to my friend, she began to wear it around constantly. And her reaction, for lack of a better way of explaining it, turned on the lightswitch in my brain. I now make scarves and hats, etc. for people all the time. Name: Jessica Subject: Crocheting is comfort Comment: Whenever I get really sad or disappointed, I crochet. It relaxes me, and it is something for me to do when I am thinking about what has happened (Got an F on schoolwork, didn't get the new toy, etc.) I LOVE TO CROCHET! Select a Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Next >> Share your own experiences by filling in the form below... |
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