Anybody doing crochet?! I had this sudden urge to indulge in crochet. I needed something to help me find a rhythm and to flow. Something meditative that kept my hands and mind busy enough that I could relax.

Hey Alisa,
I love to crochet. The only good suggestion I have to finding your rhythm is to crochet an afghan. Something simple like a single shell stitch or a solid double crochet.
I'll post an easy pattern (or a link to one) for you, if you like.
No pressure, just crochet and do so everyday for awhile on the afghan and soon you'll be crocheting like a champ.

This is how I taught myself & also I've taught several folks to find their crocheting rhythm.

I hope this helps.

I'd love to see some of your crocheting creations. Got a picture handy to post.

Happy Crocheting!

That is perfect advice, Dawn!! Bless you! I have kinda come to that conclusion. Wish I had just done a continuous flow afghan. Instead I decided to do squares and link them together. I wanted to do a patchwork type thing using warm tones and I had this initial zany idea I could do each patch in a different stitch.

I have settled for making squares of varying width, but same length, in the different colours, but SAME stitch (single crochet). Attaching them has been rough as I have tried to figure out how to do it nicely. My biggest problem is...

HOW do I end rows? I get this ragged edge on my squares because I'm not entirely sure what I'm supposed to to on the last stitch. I am doing single crochet with c1 at the end of each row. But when I do the last stitch before c1, that is where I'm not seeing clearly which strings to pick up (and so I'm guessing ). And that is leading to an inconsistent edge.

I think I'll do more internet delving on this. Unless someone knows what I'm talking about and THEN how to explain it!

Oh, I figured out what I was doing wrong. I was skipping a loop at the first of a row (as if I was doing double or treble crochet) and then trying to eek out a loop to pick up at the end to make my stitch count. No wonder it was looking a mess.

Still, does the side of a crocheted piece look less uniform than the top? You know where you have a row of perfect double threads forming loops along the top...yet the sides are not so?

I'm sorry to be so slow in replying. I didn't click the 'watched topic' thingy and didn't get an update notice...
Plus... Time gets away from me sometimes... alot of times... my mind is mess...
Gosh isn't middle age interesting.

The sides of my crochet creations are never as uniform as the top and bottoms. I've never figured out a method to resolve this issue and I'm thinking, after 30 years of crocheting, there isn't one.

At the end of my projects I chain one and do a slip stitch. It's easier for me that way and seems to help not make the corners drawn up looking.

So, what colors did you choose for your new project. I know it'll be really pretty when your done.

Happy crocheting my friend!

Awww, thanks for the feedback and encouragement, Dawn! I also did not realize you had posted to me either. I don't watch topics (probably should).

I am doing autumn colours. Gold, orange, rusts, etc. I love warm colours and wanted to do this to match my bedroom which is in red and gold. I'll take a photo soon to share my progress.

My trouble now is that my tensions are not consistent so one square is looser than another. Stands to reason though, eh. But I see this is something that will work itself out with practice.

And nice to know that after 30(!!!) years of crocheting you can say that the sides are never as uniform as the tops/bottoms. My question is...so when you attach a border or attach pieces to this uneven edging...is it supposed to be more challenging? I guess it will work out when I gain consistency.

Do you have any pics of projects you've done?! I'd be very excited to see if you do.

Sounds lovely. Rich colors like that are always beautiful together. I know that your creation is going to be wonderful. I can hardly wait to see a picture of it.

I only have a couple of items that I've crocheted. I'm on of those folks that gives all my crochet creations away. I mostly have done baby afghans and big afghans too. Years ago I made several southern bell dolls for a lot of our female family members for Christmas. And of I've made the air freshener dolls and quite a few other things...
It's really quite relaxing and fulfilling to make gifts.

I have trouble with the tension still, oh I can pretty much crochet evenly, but sometimes I do tend to get carried away and my emotions will either cause me to crochet to tight or to loose. I find myself ripping out and re-doing. lol I don't try to be perfect in my crocheting but I do try to get it to look somewhat uniform.

When I attach squares together I kind of stretch them to be closer the same size and then work in the stitches as close as possible to make an even flat seam. Normally the sizing in the yarn will help give it a more flat look after I wash it once.

Adding edgings is always an ordeal for me. I do not enjoy it. My edgings always turns out poofy looking in spots. Nope, I haven't mastered that part yet. I suppose I never shall. lol

I'll try and take some pictures soon... well the next sunny day... lol my camera is so finicky about inside shots.

Wow, that was a treat to read. It helped me a lot! I think I'll be adding edging to the afghan to even out the overall tension differences. I think/hope the edging will be easier than trying to attach the squares with an even, flat stitch. Mine is still a little "frankenstein".

Thanks for chatting with me about this. As I said, it really does help to have read how you feel and approach your pieces!

I doubt your crochet is frankenstein.

Here's what I tell folks if they want to get picky and point out my flaws in my arts and crafts...
I tell them, "It gives my work character! and we southerners Love things with character!"

Glad I could help.

I love that! It has character!

All my creations are a buffet of character!
I like that because it makes them unique.

Here's a glimpse of my project from two angles, including all three of my dogs and a blanket crocheted for me years ago from a relative.

Well, good gracious, shame on me... I can't believe it's been so many months since I visited this thread.

I love all your puppy-dogs. They're so adorable and huggable.

I love your coverlet. The colors are warm and cozy colors. It reminds me of the feel of the warm beauty of Autumn.
It's a beaut!

Oh thank you, Dawn!!

I finished the blanket and the colours were wonderful, but thanks to the patchwork nature of it I learned that not only is it a pain to attach pieces (if you don't want ridges), but it can end up crooked, too. As it did. But still works to keep me warm and I used it this winter (we are now going into our spring tho).

Meanwhile, I decided to do stripes and made a great, even blanket with similar fall colours in stripes. That turned out nicely and I gave it away (but without taking a photo - sheesh!)
I am working on another and I'm only half a skein away from finishing it. Maybe I better take a photo.

I have plans for another one to do in stripes of brown and cream to use as a cover for my couch and to match with the painting I am doing. And I will take a photo of the ensemble! And after that, I have more ideas budding. I haven't tried anything complex yet. I'd like to do little circles connected or granny squares or something (did I learn anything from the angst of patchwork?!).

Thanks again for the kind comments, Dawn. U iz grate!

Your creations sound lovely. I hope to see pictures of them soon. I really love the idea of matching a painting. What a great way to accent a color scheme in a room. Sweet idea!