Crocheting has been a hobby of mine for a little over a year now. I picked up the skill when I was in Spain during the summer of 2012. My great-aunt taught me how to crochet, and I learned all the stitches and patterns in Spanish. When I came back to the States, I had to do a bit of re-learning so that I could understand English-language patterns and explanations!
I have been knitting since I was much younger, having been taught by my grandmother. Unfortunately, I can only knit scarves, though I have recently tried some other stitches.
Over the past year, I have been laboriously working away at making baby security blankets, hats, scarves, small toys, and various other knick-knacks. Most of my projects are commissioned by members of my family as gifts, and others I just make to fill in my free time and practice new patterns. I enjoy the craft so much, that I even sought out a knitting/crocheting circle during my Study Abroad month in Spain: MadridKnits!
The process is really one of trial and error. Most of the time I am really proud of my final product, but sometimes my creations can be a little rough around the edges. Overall, I find crocheting to be extremely relaxing, and I am really glad that I asked my Spanish family to teach me!!!
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Links to some of the patterns featured above:
My Little Pony – http://terri.zone12.com/maker/crochetpony/
Sherlock Holmes Hat – http://crafts.iloveindia.com/sherlock-holmes-hat.html
Owl Blanket – http://crochetcraftsandme.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/crocet-whoos-my-cutie-blanket-first-and.html
Giraffe Head – http://www.redheart.com/files/patterns/pdf/LW4136.pdf
Elephant Blanket – http://www.lookatwhatimade.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Grace-the-Crochet-Elephant-Comfort-Blanket-Lookatwhatimade.pdf
Large yarmulke/Skull Cap – http://www.sharalambethdesigns.com/2012/06/voyages-beanie.html
Beanie – http://www.hopefulhoney.com/2012/02/beginners-luck.html
Dalek – http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=414378.msg4897287;topicseen#msg4897287
Doctor Who Dolls – http://pixelatedmushroom.blogspot.com/2012/03/mini-doctor-whos-pattern-all-eleven.html
Baseball Can Cozy – http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/baseball-can-cozy
Football Can Cozy – http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/football-can-cozy