Like I needed a new hobby...!

[Wwena]

I was NOT going to start knitting. Or crocheting. I SO do not need another hobby to sink time and money into, I still have so much to learn and do in quilting! I've seen so much fabulous knitting and crochet stuff on Pinterest that I refused to even pin, because I wanted to try them... But NO, not another project!

But then I started thinking about our upcoming holiday to Tenerife and what I would bring to do with my hands there... I was going to keep working on my hexagon quilt (which I do almost every day at home) but it's just so huge now that I've started assembling it for real and I can't really fit it in the luggage without some serious side effects such as not bringing enough shoes. We'll have of that thank you very much!

So my resolve has been crumbling and this last weekend I started hunting for a good beginner's crochet pattern/project that would occupy me all holiday week (in between other holiday stuff of course) and also get me back in the swing of crocheting. Not that there has been a lot of swinging here... But I know the basics. Long story short, I am now the proud owner of two Craftsy crocheting courses (they were half price!) and a bulging Pinterest board with patterns and inspiration. Choosing what to do was agony! Or well, you know... Hard. But I settled for one project, went and picked out some lovely 75% wool / 25% polyester yarn in four different colours today at lunch and tonight I started! I've already caught the bug! This will be so much fun!! This is the blanket I've started (mine will be approx 60" wide):

Attic24: Neat Ripple Pattern

Anyone else have a hard time choosing one craft and sticking to it? Any other crochet-addicts out there?

[laf512]

Re: Like I needed a new hobby...!

I was a former knitting addict. I also crocheted a bit. I had to give it up due to carpal tunnel and I miss it so much I enjoy sewing, but knitting is my first love.

[SandyWhite]

Re: Like I needed a new hobby...!

Anna, I can't stick to one craft. I crochet, knit, make soap, draw, paint, whittle....the list goes on, but what I spend most of my time on is some sort of quilting. There are times when I get a away from it a little, then I will do one of the others.

[Iris Girl]

Re: Like I needed a new hobby...!

have lots of interest, knit, crochet, hand embroider, sewing and quilting is my passion, I also dabble in furniture refinishing and miniatures, also some beading.

[Kgrammiecaz]

Re: Like I needed a new hobby...!

I love crocheting, but I did put it aside for now because I so much loving the process of piecing and learning to fmq. I do not expect to much crochet, but baby hats and blankets may still be done in the near future.

The ripple pattern is such a beautiful basic. Cant wait to see your completed afghan.

[redcaboose1717]

Re: Like I needed a new hobby...!

These directions were great. I am going to try this again.....although there's a great YouTube set of direction for those of us were are visual learners !
I retaught myself to knit due to a great blog by Staci Perry, called Very Pink Knits. Not only does Staci have knitting tutorials but she also has crocheting tutorials as well. She has a lot of free tutorials too.
v e r y p i n k . c o m » Tutorials
Also, do you know about Ravelry ? This is a website for knitting & crocheting too

https://www.ravelry.com/account/login

Oh! Before I forget.....sure I have trouble deciding what hobby to persue.....so I do all three, but sewing / quilting tops the list !

[Kateskloset]

Re: Like I needed a new hobby...!

I do it all! I sew, knit, crochet, smock, counted cross stitch, tat, quilt, scrapbook, etch on glass, and each hobby comes with it's giant Rubbermaid tub 'o stuff that goes along with it. Because when I get into something...I want whatever goes with it! I am trying, though, to streamline. To see each project through and get it out of my sewing room. So tired of bags of UFO's lingering. So thankful for the UFO group on this forum...inspiration!!

[Nidan_07]

Re: Like I needed a new hobby...!

Anna, Anna, Anna....What to do with you. But we all know what they say about people in glass houses that should not throw stones. You are a woman of my own heart, so I completely understand where you are coming from. Now, I will also have to get some 'ripple action' going on at some stage in the future.

[Wwena]

Re: Like I needed a new hobby...!

Wow what an amazing collection of crafting (Sandy even whittles, who knew!). I'm happy I'm not alone in this and I will TRY to be organized as we just got rid of a lot of (baby) stuff in our basement and I don't want to add lots of new stuff the first thing I do. That being said I'm an "all in" kind of person so we'll see how it goes hehe.

I've finished the dreaded first row and I'm on to the fun part, where I hardly even have to think about what I'm doing. Yay!

Lori I'm so sorry you can't do it anymore. I hope the carpal goes away and is quick about it too!

[mamaquilt]

Re: Like I needed a new hobby...!

Anna, don't forget to take another bag along to Tenerife. A crochet wooll blanket is heavy too. I'm sure you'll have it finished when you come back. I usually take a crochet work too during holidays, but then I do some snowflakes (album) and such, they are not as heavy. It is too bad we cannot crochet during the flights anymore. I did a lot of crochet work during flights.
I bet that will be a gorgeous blanket.

[K. McEuen]

Re: Like I needed a new hobby...!

Hey, you could be like my cousin who got into crocheting and knitting so much that she raises her own sheep for the wool now. She was a pharmacist, but gave that up to sell her stuff.


buster.jpg

That is Buster, who she thought was going to die because he was so sick (since Thanksgiving) but he's now eating on his own and all is well.

[Sharyn J]

Re: Like I needed a new hobby...!

I learned to knit, crochet, and embroider and sew when I was a kid. I still continue to crochet, but I do more quilting these days. If you're new to crochet, there are many wonderful videos on Youtube. Mikey has lot of tutorials and he's easy to understand, videos are close ups and easy to follow along. I had GD watching his videos. Lesson 1 - How To Crochet - YouTube

There's another group of videos by Teresa on Youtube. She's also very good.

[Simply Quilting]

Re: Like I needed a new hobby...!

I have done knitting, crochet, embroidery, scrapbooking, sewing, counted cross stitch and photography. Some of the projects are more portable than others. During the fall and winter, I usually take knitting, crocheting, embroidery or counted cross stitch with me wherever I go. I use to have lots of time waiting for the children at various appointments to be able to do my projects. I still enjoy doing them when I get a chance.

[toggpine]

Re: Like I needed a new hobby...!

I tried to knit and crochet. I can't figure it out.
I can however, breed, raise, & shear the sheep/goats. Then I can clean, card, dye, spin the fleeces into yarn. After that, it is someone else's problem. Sadly, my wheel sits idle @ Mom's house. Since I can't do anything with the yarn, I don't spin much anymore.

I do have other hobbies, with cross stitch being the most portable. That is my go-to travel project. I have a bunch of the Santa patterns for the perforated paper. One of these days I'll have them all finished and will decorate a tree with all of them on it. One of these days...

[Amber]

Re: Like I needed a new hobby...!

I love to crochet also. Have made too many afghans to count. I learned to crochet when I was ten. I went to a small country school and my spelling teacher was also the home-ec teacher. When we finished our spelling work, she taught us to crochet. Thereafter every birth and wedding warranted an afghan. I don't know if you have access to Hobby Lobby online, but I love their yarn line. It is called "I love this Yarn". Crocheting is a good traveling hobby. Enjoy!!!