Tuesday, May 3, 2011

I'm hooking again...

Lately, not only have I been reacquainting myself with fabric (more on this in a future post) but, I have renewed my yearn for yarn. Okay that was really bad. But, it's who I am. I saw this inspiration photo for a card making challenge. And just like those clever commercials we all see on TV, I can't remember whose challenge blog it was. BUT, I do remember the scarf.




And was immediately on a quest for the source. I wanted to know how to make one for myself. I remembered seeing a beautiful quilt on some TV show in college, so I bought a book and taught myself how to quilt. So why not do the same with crochet?!?!?! As you are all aware by now, I have that incurable disease: ICANMAKETHATitis. I have heard of folks that have been able to overcome these urges, which are quite overwhelming, but I have never heard of folks that have been cured. Some suppress it for a bit. Some of us just bear the affliction. SIGH!


I was successful in tracking the source. AND found out that this is called a JAPANESE FLOWER SCARF. You can read about it HERE at Attic 24. And see many more wonderful pictures too.



Now all I needed to do was figure out HOW to make one. You see the disease makes one incapable of distinguishing between projects that you WANT to make that you actually CAN make. Herein lies my dilemna. You see I was taught to crochet by Mrs. Olson. She was our neighbor in San Diego when I was around 10 years old. I saw one of her blankets and was hooked. (no pun intended - but it works LOL) She taught me some stitches but not how to read the instructions. I have made granny squares into blankets. I even made a ponco for Melissa a few years ago. Just sort of winged it.


BUT, this scarf is GORGEOUS and I feel like I owe it to the craft to learn how to read those cryptic writings. So, I bought this book.



There are 250 Crochet Motifs. I intend on making EACH & EVERY one of them by reading the instructions. Maybe I'll make a hodge podge blanket of them all. Eventually.I started out with the granny square. It was a bit of a challenge, but I did it. I ended up making 12 of the first type. I wanted to get the practice and I used up the remnants of a skein we had in a tote bag tucked in the back of one of the closets. I am going to join them together to make a doll blanket for Melissa's dolls. You can find the book here. I got mine at a local crochet and knitting store.




Once I really get into the swing of things, I'll whip out a scarf or two. And maybe one of these little beauties.




I mean, I DO have the book. It was a weak moment while shopping with the girls. Morgan (the middle one who is constantly trying new things) talked me into getting it for her. I caved. It had cute pictures, so how could I say NO. I'm glad I caved now.

Now I am off to Google "How to join granny squares together?". I never did learn how to do that...

10 comments:

Deena said...

that is soo funny that you are hooked on this...we (my mom and i) were just googling how to make those flowers on sunday night...this lady does some great step by step tutorials if you are looking for a certain stitch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8lLMHpt1Sw&annotation_id=annotation_6532&feature=iv

Sian said...

Your squares are fab! I keep promising myself that THIS will be the week I finally learn to crochet. Your pictures are certainly providing gorgeous inspiration

Rosemary said...

I love the squares and cannot wait until you make something with them and share it with the class!!!!! I have a similar book to the animals one you show here - and I haven't even made an effort to get crocheting again. It is on the list though....

I think this is going to be a fun adventure to share with your bloggy buddies.

Lori said...

LOL! Hysterical....thank goodness for Google, eh? Those squares are gorgeous, and you did that all by just reading the directions? Hats off to you, you crafting wizard. Can't wait to hear the rest of the yarn saga! Oh, and great title, laughed my arse off.

gracescraps@gmail.com said...

Wow, what gorgeous crochet projects!

Momo sent me, and I am now a follower.

http://gracescraps.blogspot.com/

Electra said...

Hooking again? (What to say, what to say...)
I bow to you, Oh Diseased One. You amaze me. Honestly. You do.

Tyggereye said...

Wow!! I want that shrug. I've always wished I could knit or crochet, but I am just not ready to learn! My mom crochets well. These are such neat projects! Good luck with them.

lisbonlioness said...

I'm so glad I am not the only "hooker" around, especially with certain incurable diseases. Ahem. That scarf- thingy is, thanks to you, now on my "must do asap" list, I mean, how ridiculously beautiful is this thing??? And since I have recently learned how to (slowly and painstakingly) decipher crochet patterns, it actually is within reach. Thank you so much for inspiring me to the point where I get excited!

lisbonlioness said...

Jana, sorry, I tried to mail this to you, but for some reason, gmail won't let me use the email button on your profile. Attic24 has a little tut up for joining granny squares ;) http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/joining-granny-sqaures.html Which is good, because I shall need it soon. x

Julia said...

My sister crochets and I have been begging her to get into amigurumi!