Playing Hooky

Throughout my life I'd always maintained that wasn't crafty or artistic. I'm guessing this belief came from being told I was no good at art at school. At my middle school I'd spend hours on my art homework only to be told my drawing was poor. I'm showing my age now, but I wasn't put in for O-level art, I had to do the CSE. When you're young and impressionable and someone tells you something about yourself - true or otherwise - it sticks. You believe it and you tell yourself it's true. It then becomes self-perpetuating.

I broke out of this negative self-talk a few years ago when I decided to make my own wedding stationery. I made the invitations, table plan, favours and thank you cards. I think the push came from seeing the price of printed stationery and wanting to save money. I enjoyed the process and I still make all my own cards.

I've tried knitting, but it didn't grab me. I sew occasionally and half-heartedly, but now I think I've found my crafty calling...

Last year I taught myself to crochet.

It wasn't particularly easy, but now I've picked it up I can't put it down.

It's almost as if some pretty yarn has my name all over it...

I taught myself from books (Stitch by Stitch and Cute and Easy Crochet). I also took advice from friends (thank you, Mummy Limited, Lindy and Kelly). It all finally clicked though when I watched the super simple and straightforward tutorial videos on Red Ted Art.

Now I have the confidence to attempt anything. I can't explain how overjoyed I was to complete my first granny square.

My favourite patterns and tutorials are on the beautiful Attic 24 blog.

I've mostly worked on small projects for the boys. Each of their teddies needs its own blanket, so I've been able to attempt different stitches and techniques. These small projects are perfect for an evening of crochet.

My current project is a little larger. I'm working on an enormous granny blanket. It's a simple (Attic 24, of course) design of treble clusters. This is my sampler.

I've only completed eighteen (very long) rows of the big one so far. It may be some time before I finish it as I am easily distracted by smaller projects, like these sunflowers that I made in memory of a dear friend.

I'm loving the warmth, calm and softness of just sitting and hooking.

I'm enjoying being arty and crafty. I can do it. This makes me happy.



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