My 6-month old grandson at bathtime.
I think I'm in for a very rough time resisting this face. I hope he learns to use his powers wisely and doesn't take advantage of Grandma Honey every chance he gets.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Turns out I'm a crocheter of cuteness
When my grandma was alive, she tried several times to teach me to crochet. At the time I couldn’t think of anything I wanted in the way of a crocheted item and was more into quilting, so I was not inspired to catch on. I know she would love to see me now, crocheting up a storm.
My first effort (left) had sort of a basket look that was OK, but wasn’t what I was after. And, because it was loosely crocheted, it stretched long and ugly the first time I took it to the grocery store. I started a new bag using thinner strips and smaller hook, and I'm going to like it much better.
I felt like I had the crocheted plastic bag thing mastered and wanted to branch out, so I looked online for something fun to crochet out of, oh, how about real yarn? (MUCH easier than handling plastic bag strips, I have to say.) There I discovered the world of amigurumi, Japanese for little knitted or crocheted toys and dolls.
I have absolutely no use for crocheted toys. None. And yet, I now have 3 pigs, a bear, 2 puppies and a kitty and I predict there are more to come. Seriously, I’m a little embarrassed. Yes, they’re cute, but what do I DO with them? Right now they sit in the bookcase in my office, but the next step is a box in the closet.
About a month ago I got it in my head to try crocheting a tote bag out of old grocery sacks. A favorite patron at the city library where I worked in Grangeville, Idaho, had such a bag for her books and I just loved it.
I went online and it turns out there are all kinds of instructional videos, so off I went. I made loops of my stash of grocery sacks, followed an online tutorial on how to make a single crochet and began making a bag bag.
My first effort (left) had sort of a basket look that was OK, but wasn’t what I was after. And, because it was loosely crocheted, it stretched long and ugly the first time I took it to the grocery store. I started a new bag using thinner strips and smaller hook, and I'm going to like it much better.I felt like I had the crocheted plastic bag thing mastered and wanted to branch out, so I looked online for something fun to crochet out of, oh, how about real yarn? (MUCH easier than handling plastic bag strips, I have to say.) There I discovered the world of amigurumi, Japanese for little knitted or crocheted toys and dolls.
Now can’t stop making them! After following online patterns and getting the basics, I’m designing my own and it is so much fun! While I’m finishing one, I’m planning the next.
I have absolutely no use for crocheted toys. None. And yet, I now have 3 pigs, a bear, 2 puppies and a kitty and I predict there are more to come. Seriously, I’m a little embarrassed. Yes, they’re cute, but what do I DO with them? Right now they sit in the bookcase in my office, but the next step is a box in the closet.
My 6-month old grandson will have to have a couple, but how many does a little guy need? Does anyone really need any crocheted toys at all?
So, if, when I die, you are the one who cleans out my closets and hauls my junk to the thrift store, don’t be alarmed or laugh at the giant box of amigurumi dolls, please. Take one home if it speaks to you and then keep my little habit of cute hoarding to yourself, OK?
Of course I had to make a flying pig! This little guy is just 4 in tall.
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