Beginner for 20 yrs!

Hi all! I am 30 and have been crocheting for about 20 yrs now, but I notice that I must be a beginner b/c I have a hard time with a lot of patterns! I want to get better and move along from sc, dc, afghan stitch, etc...

Can anyone help with easier patterns that might challenge me?

I really want to learn a pattern worked diagonally and I want to learn how to do an afghnan that is zig-zaged... ... ...

Be adventuresome and go off on your own. Learn to read crochet symbols, the drawings that describe the stitches to use. It's a little tough to start, but so incredibly clear once you get it.

Go to http://www.mypicot.com for inspiration and motivation to learn the symbols, then pick a pretty stitch and give it a try.

Have fun.

Pauline

I'm the same way with knitting but its been over 40 years and I never seem to get past advanced Beginner to the next level. Here are some of my self observations -- they can be applied to either knitting or crochet :

I tend not to knit because I am slower than I am with crochet.

answer:

-discipline myself to knit a lot of simple things, lots of ribbing, etc. A lot of craft work is repetitive: your hands,need to learn to manipulate the knitting needles or crochet hook/thread, naturally. Do projects to build up your self-confidence.

- Experiment with the way thread or yarn is held to speed things up. There is no right way to hold thread and crochet hook. I hold mine really weird because I (mostly) taught myself.

- Find Good books for beginners : the Teach yourself Visually series by 'Read less - learn more press' - are just excellent.

- look for videos about crocheting - watch them carefully. Repeat them when you have questions. Check at your library for Videos or DVDS

- look for blogs and You tube videos - learn to research questions you have.

- work with good, simple yarns. Make simple things - scarves, shawls, small blankets. Experiment with thread.

Stay away from angora/mohair type yarns or specialty yarns.

Learn to be Patient with yourself.

I tend to get discouraged when things don't turn out the way I want them to!

answer : self discipline. Reward myself when I get something done - even if it is a nice walk to my favorite craft store. I earn praise from myself.Treat yourself like your best friend.

Learn to be Patient with yourself.

My knitting(or crochet, in your case!) never seems good enough

Get a rid of the perfectionism, let it go. It doesn't need to be perfect - allow imperfections, do your best and that is all you can do..

Patterning scares me:

- I write the sequence of a pattern out on cards and turn each row's card as I knit/crochet- I count each row, keep notes. I do the same for shaping things. I prepare myself for crochet/knitting by doing such things. When I am doing something complicated in either crochet or knitting I turn everything off and knit or crochet in a silent house. I always have real simple projects to do along side very challenging projects. If I need to relax I do the simple work - If I need some excitement I pick up the challenging project. Sometimes we just get bored with our craft work.

For crochet, I suggest you learn visual symbolic crochet patterns. I learned to read them via the French Decorative Crochet & Magic Crochet magazines many years ago, now. It is a great way to speed up your crocheting, I even draw out patterns, using those symbols, when the written pattern confuses me.

Other considerations : Buy yourself general texts Like the Harmony guides. They use the symbolic crochet Diagrams - one way to educate your mind is to read the pattern and then look at the diagrams. Make little swatches from the Harmony guide of your favorite patterns. Read the book's introduction.

---- don't get discouraged, it took me more than 2 decades to master tatting. Hope this all helps.

KM

"Officer, really, its not a weapon, its a size 15 crochet hook!"