Who inspired you most to start crocheting?

[crazy crocheter]

A Sunday School teacher at my church taught me. She got me started on granny squares. The only problem was that she was a lefty and I'm right handed Fortunately there was another lady in my church who could crochet and she was right handed so she helped us out a bit. Now I'm currently teaching my sister and my mom and they are really enjoying it.

[jesdeh2o]

I would have to say my mom inspired me to crochet. She taght me when I was about 6 yrs. old. I only dabbled with it til my mom got sick and we found out it was breast cancer again:angry I then picked up my hooks and spent the rest of my mom's time here on earth learning everything I could from her. It helped me and her through the chemotherapy treatments and I still visit the cancer center and help other women learn to crochet. The doctors and nurses say it seems to brighten the spirits of everyone there when I visit. Most of the women I taught have passed away and this October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) I will teach about 15 women every Wed.

In memory of

Carmelita T. (Markley) Butterfield 11/14/56-11/28/03

My inspiration in everything I do.

[Aunty Dana]

My Grandma. I would always watch her while she worked on her projects. I still use the x-mas stocking she made me. About 10 or so years ago she made all of us grandkids each one. I use to love to wind her yarn into balls for her. I asked her 2x if she would teach me, but for some reason I couldn't get it. I learned from my mom when I was 12.

[Hilary]

a friend of the family, who i always regered to as my god mother (although im not religious) taught me how to make granny squares when i was about 5. i just used to make massive granny squares and not know what to do with them. ive seen many blankets that she has made, and ive seen many blankets in my family that have been made generations ago. i think it is so awesome that i can take a really long piece of string and turn it into something as beautiful as a blanket, or a scarf. i love doing this, and i thank her for teaching me the basics.

[butterfly_girl]

I learned from my dad's friend. She taught me. It was awkward at first, but I learned! I think I was 13 at the time. Now I'm 33!

[bubblefizz]

Well i used to Knit all the time, i used to look for knitting patterns in the yarn shops and i would always come across patterns which were "crochet" and i liked these crochet patterns better than knitting ones,they looked more detailed and fancy with lacy stitching, so i decided to give it ago:blush i couldnt do it after many many attempts i gave up , seemed soooo complicated

until i went on the internet 5 years ago and i learnt it!!

Now im addicted and i HATE knitting

Thank GOODNESS for the internet:yay

[Fanihi]

My Mom. She crocheted things for my dolls and Barbies. I still have those and now I want to crochet little things for my daughter's dolls. My Mom taught me a basic granny square and I still have it. My daughter now uses it for her dolls. The only difference between my Mom and I is that she loved crocheting doilies for decoration around the house. She loved making decorative things and I like making functional things--clothing or accessories.

[faithpa76]

My grandmother got me started, and it's her that I sent my "first" projects to. It didn't really catch on because I tend to get caught up in little "perfectionism things" and couldn't figure out simple stuff such as which stitch, what loops to crochet in and just didn't have the patience to sit and figure it out. Then I stumbled across this site (still ezboard then) back in October? September and was challenged, intrigued and inspired by everything I saw here. I started up again then and haven't stopped (except for a brief period after Christmas) since.

[Plo0t]

I was inspired to start crocheting when I was visiting a friend last year a bit before Thanksgiving. I was still getting over being dumped by my ex-boyfriend, so I made weekly trips to our mutual friends house, because she was just super awesome. One day, when I was making my usual visit, Mama T was crochetinng some christmas presents for the children in her family and I told her that I would love to learn something like that. She handed me a hook and a scrap of yarn and showed me how! I haven't put my hooks down since!

[new2me]

My aunt tried to teach me to knit when I was very young...but it never really clicked it me although I loved the idea of it. My cousins all crochet and knit and I loved their work, but the one to finally inspired me to begin was my friend. We were on a cruise and had several sea days. She had purchased some cotton in a shop in Belfast and asked if I wanted to learn. I LOVED it immediately...it was exactly what I needed. I have to have something to do with my hands all the time, and this was just perfect. It is quiet, quick and very portable! I've since turned into a crochet fanatic!

[Cuddlefish]

Probably my grandmum. She crocheted tons of stuff all the time, and when she died she left a whole basket full of small squares that I, several years later, found and put together. She smoked those little cigars, and because the basket hadn't been opened for years, I could still smell the characteristic smell of her and her house on the squares. It was really special, you get so many more memories from a smell than from a photo.

 

Anyway, she didn't teach me, I learnt in school and loved the idea of working with yarn right from the beginning. But if any one person inspired me to crochet, it must have been her.

[eurolyons]

Well I was 10 when my grandmother taught me to crochet...but when I was in school, those friends that also crocheted, we inspired and taught each other...I can't really single out one particular person that has inspired me...it's been many things that many people have done...but for the most part, I was self taught after a fashion...this last year though, though all the websites like this and others, I've picked up a lot of cool ideas...and especially through magazines too.

 

I know among my family though, that I've inspired others...and that's a cool thing.

[Lucy]

My mom taught me to crochet.

She made such beautiful doilies.

She did all kinds of crafts.

I just crochet and knit.

Nancy

[elephanty]

i learnt a little crochet when i was in school but i didn't really like it. Last year i was doing a search on the internet for cross stitch patterns and i wasn't much interested... so i clicked on some crochet link and there i was!!! i got addicted to crochet!!!...i liked to crochet with yarn but now i've started to crochet with thread and really love it...

 

there's no one to inspire me but the internet:lol

 

elep

[Rosemary]

My mom, grandmom and aunt.

However, I have learned most everything on the net.

Rosemary

[crochetqueen]

Sylvia Cosh and James Walters, I saw a picture in a magazine way back when and I thought I want to do that. Then my goal was to someday take one of their classes but sadly Sylvia passed away but James Walters is still teaching. He generously gave me an online interview and I was thrilled.

[leppardess]

My grandmother taught me. In all honesty, I didn't get along with her very well but I think her wanting to teach me to crochet was her way of trying to bridge the gap and make her peace with me. Now, every time I pick up a hook, I think fondly of her.

[silvermoon42]

I was taught just the general chain and single crochet from my grandmother when I was young, it stuck in my head, but I just never really stuck with it. One day when I was wandering around Wal Mart I made my way into the yarn isle and with my baby on the way and my maternity leave coming up I thought that picking up crocheting again would be a good past-time and I'd be able to make something myself for my baby. Also with Christmas nearing it'd give me a chance to make some christmas presents for friends and family. I picked up a few pattern books (mostly baby patterns ) and I decided that it was a great idea. And then here I am, finished my first scarf and first baby hat, almost done with my baby blanket and started a scarf for my mom (next in like in baby blanket for my sister who is due in Feb) so I've got a lot of work to do, but I've done a lot lately too (Been on maternity leave for almost a week) I don't know what I'd say inspired me necessarily, but that's how I worked my way back into crocheting an addiction I can see sticking around for quite some time!

 

-Kelli

[AmyG.]

Both of my grandmothers knew how to crochet and both taught me in there own ways. My father's mother taught me to crochet rugs from material scraps, my mother's mother taught me to crochet afghans. My father's mother isn't around anymore to see my creations but I think she would be proud. My mother's mother is always telling me how talented I am and wishes she could do some of the things I've done.

[pinkroses]

My grandmother taught me and inspired me when I was about 8 or so. She also taught me to hand embrodiery. Sew and quilt. She has been dead for 5 years now and I miss her so much. pinkroses in Va.

[susandoty48]

My sister was visitnig from out of town where I was younger, oh so many moons ago, she tried to teach me, but there was no way, I just could not grasp what she was saying or trying to show me, so after she went home I went and bought a teach me book and I have been hooked ever since, about 35 years now

[tekopp]

My teacher at knitting/crochet class.

I allready could knit, and couldn't resist a challenge...

[ranieannie]

I finally learned, for real, in an adult school crochet class about 30 years ago. But I was inspired by a beloved great aunt who did wonderful thread crochet.

 

And "sort-of" inspired by a mom and grandma who were absolute artists with knitting needles. I did NOT want to compete with them, but wanted to express myself creatively, so chose crochet, which neither of them did very often.

[CrochetMonkey]

My daughter was my inspiration to learn crochet. When I became pregnant with her, I decided that I wanted to make her a baby blanket.

[Terri]

I was a kid when I first was attracted to crochet. Our family friend had some beautiful work in her house and I remember a gorgeous swan pillow. Then I saw her hook & asked about it. Her work was fantastic (baby clothes, etc.) I would always notice crochet from then on.

 

I think I was in my teens when a friend started & tried to teach me, but I just couldn't get it (or had other interests). My Gram was very crafty (crochet was just one) and always had a project going. As an adult, I found myself (almost literally) spending hours in groups/meetings. I took up cross-stitch to keep me in my chair & my attention focused. Many of the women who attended started crocheting and I would always stop & ask.

 

About 3 years ago I was determined to learn & took it up. My neighbor helped me (holding hook, deciphering pattens, etc.). When I finally got started my daughter informed me she was P.G. :teddy I got lots of practice the hard way -- determined to make something attractive & usable that wouldn't end up in the 2nd hand store.

It was several months later that I figured out I was crocheting backwards!!! I guess I was reverse crocheting, but my projects seemed to look good anyway. I'm having a ball now & can't wait to keep trying something new. It never ceases to amaze me how diverse and talented crocheters are.

Crochet has served me in many, many ways. Relaxation, meditation, introspection & connection. Blessed be the tie that binds.