Back in February, I had a weekend with the girls and ended up buying some yarn and a hook. Little did I know, what I was getting myself into. Little Britches had went over how to start a chain and single crochet and I ran with it. I have tried crocheting before but didn’t have the carefree attitude that I’ve gained this time around. I think I was scared of screwing up. You will screw up. Besides the OCD freaks out there, most people will admit that the work they do has some sort of fault.
As with most new hobbies, you do your research, gather needed materials, watch videos over and over and begin. The beginning is always the hardest part. How many chains? Did I do the right amount? Does this one count? What do they really mean by second chain from the hook? Is this the correct way to do a single crochet? Before you know it you have made row after row and counted in your head over and over until something starts to resemble a part of a blanket.
When I first started, I thought it would look neat to use scrap yarn… but I don’t have any scrap yarn except a bunch of red that my Mom had given to me years before because Mom always is thinking of her crafty daughter. To the big Walmart in my town I went. I grabbed this color and that and made sure that I could use the same golden hook I had been using. H. The colors seemed very navajo in color so I went with it. Spent countless hours thinking about each ripple. I wanted to make it for my sister so with these dreary winter months, I crocheted my heart out. My ends looked a little wonky and I kept getting confused but I just kept at it. It was too late now. Keep going and add a border when all was done. That was the plan.
Did I mention that I did this all in single crochet? Big mistake if you want to get something done fast. It would take me over 20 minutes to go one way. Little Britches couldn’t believe how committed I was to such a tedious project.
My sister’s birthday came and went and I didn’t get it finished. I decided to keep going. I’m not a quitter. I hate quitting on things so when I do seem to quit, it’s more like laying it down for a little while until I have time to come back… in a day or a week or a year or two.
The Injury
The problem with researching hobbies is you don’t think about the toll it can take on your body. Sure, you check to make sure you are doing squats correctly, but who would have thought that you would need proper posture for crocheting? Not I and now I know different. After an x-ray, a cortisone shot, missing a day of work, and physical therapy, I know that you shouldn’t spend hours sitting on your butt going to town crocheting like you are a diesel engine.
The time I spent recovering, I stared a hole into the half of the blanket I had made. My husband warned me about starting again. I’m not a quitter though. As soon as I felt well enough, I started again. It took me around 6 months, but it was worth it. I kind of sort of blocked it. I think.
I love the colors. I love the look. I loved the journey. I love the fact that it has different textures. The red yard is tighter and rough while some of the other colors soft and light. Isn’t that how life is? Bittersweet. You have your hard times and good times and they are all combined together in this life you have.
You can see which end is the beginning, if you look carefully. I got better at crocheting as I went as you will with anything you do over and over. You can see the perfections and the mistakes. I like that I can run my hand over it and know that I spent time thinking about loved ones, happy memories, working out problems in my head, talking to God or letting my mind wander.
My Great Grandmothers made all sorts of things. Necklaces, bedazzled sweatshirts, poetry and crocheted items and they loved to give them as gifts. It’s this heritage that has me feeling their spirits are watching over me with approval. I want to make things and give them to others. That’s what we we do in my family. We don’t expect anything in return.
I didn’t give this one to my sister. Not yet anyways. The blanket is gracing my couch’s back for now until I decide if I am truly finished with it. My Grandmother thinks I should keep it. It’s your first blanket, she says. You should always keep your first. True, but my nature is to make things and give them away. It’s a fine line. I want to pass on these traditions as my grandmothers have. This blanket will mean something for someone. I guess it means a great deal to me. One day… I will give it away.
You can also click here for the pattern.
Thank you for reading,
Kalamity