Calm down, I am talking about crocheting. My grandmother almost always had a crocheting project in her hands. I was envious of what she could create. My mother taught me when I was still young, about 6-8 years old. Spending years dabbling, I never got good at it until my daughter was born. At that time, writing was out of the question. You can not keep an eye on a toddler while stuck at the computer. Have you ever tried to keep up with a toddler in your 30s? Yikes!!! So once again, picking up a hook and yarn, I practiced. It was not long before afghans started covering family and friends.
My favorite place during that time was the crafting section of any store I was in. Running tired fingers over the many textures of yarn, envisioning the things it could make. Soft baby blankets, rough dish scrubbies, re-purposed t-shirt rugs, and so many more. It exercised my creativity when there was no other way. It also provided a much-needed stress relief. Being a new mother is probably the hardest job in the world. Every little twitch, sneeze, or noise sent me into a panic. Was that normal? Is she progressing on schedule? Did she eat enough? Too much? Is she sick? Is she going to die if I sleep for an hour? It is ridiculous, but you do not understand that at the time.
I also learned that with a toddler, it is virtually impossible to keep an accurate stitch count. Simple patterns that count and gauge could be disregarded were a staple. My favorite became a V-Stitch or Chevron. Once you learn the math behind it, I promise the math is simple, you could create any size afghan with any border in no time. The same goes for the chevron, too. A simplified V-Stitch pattern is multiples of 3 + 2. That means you would crochet a foundation stitch of whatever length you wanted, as long as that number is divisible by 3. An example baby blanket (using a thick chenille yarn suitable for an N or 10mm hook), you would crochet foundation stitch 75 stitches long, then add 2 more stitches. Turn and crochet 1 double stitch in the 75th stitch, chain 1, double stitch in the same (75th) stitch, skip 1 stitch, and repeat until the end. At the end, chain 2 and repeat with the first chain 1 space between the double stitches. You will continue that pattern until you get a square. If you want an adult afghan you just increase the number of foundation stitches.
The picture above is of a shawl I made during COVID. The pattern is aptly named “The Virus” pattern because each shell replicates and multiplies from the previous one. Have you tried crocheting? Do you want to learn? It is not hard, just a matter of making your fingers do something they have never done before. I really wish I had a picture of one of the V-Stitch blankets I have made, but I don’t. I would love to see something you created. Post it in the comments below.
I will give a quick warning: the comment section is not a place to bash crafters. I will not tolerate what I think of as hate and will delete those comments without warning or remorse. In terms of my blog only, I am God, it is my way or the highway.
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