I'm Amazed and Feel Inadequate at the Same Time

[Guest NCAugeriFan]

Ladies ~

 

I just wanted to say how amazing, fabulous, wonderful, beautiful, etc. that your work is. All of the projects that you are working on ~ I'm in awe.

 

Sometimes I feel a little envious because I'm not at that level with doing all of these wonderful projects like the ponchos, hats, the crochet heart, the bears/care bears, etc. I often wonder if I will be. I feel a little inadeqate at this point after seeing all of these projects. I'm a little awkward/clumsy when it comes to any type of craft. I just don't want to loose and hope that I will one day be able to go further than the beginning/easy projects. I know I need to be more patient...

 

Thanks.

 

Cadie

[threeolivemartini]

patience and practice girl! that is what it takes.. you have to realize some of us have been doing this since we were very small (like me .. i have been at it for 28 years or so ) so practice makes perfect and do be afraid to experiment that is how we all learn !!

[bythehook]

Patience, like ThreeOlives said. I've been crocheting for over 40 years now and I'm still learning new things. Also, don't be afraid to try something different, you will be surprised at how easy some things are.

[Chiscrochetcrazy]

I feel the same way as you. I've been :crochet for about 8 yrs and still feel like a begginer. I always think everyone else is better than me:shrug . Just keep at it and love what you do.

[RebeccaVelasquez]

you crazy girl! don't feel that way here

we all learn at different paces and we are all our own worst critics - remember that.

 

have you considered (or are you in) the 63 squares cal? thats a great fun way to learn different stitches and techniques.

 

always ask your questions - no matter how sill you feel. we've all asked the same question at some point

 

keep on hookin'!

[buggaboosmommy]

You know..when I first started all I could do was a single crochet scarf. So...I made tons of them until I mastered another stitch...then another...then learned to read a pattern.

 

You WILL get to the point of confidence!! I am sure your projects are wonderful now, and will only get better.

 

KEEP trying and keep your head up!

Donna

[MarvieN]

I agree with what everyone else has said... and I have to say that hanging out here has *given* me more confidence. I finally have a place where I can ask for help, advice, beg for approval and all that good stuff! I've only really been crocheting for two years now, and till I came here I hadn't done anything beyond sc and dc blankets, other than a ripple, which took me forfreakin ever to figure out. Since coming here, I've learned to read patterns, I've made so many things I can't even think o f them all right now, I even learned socks and mittens, thanks to some really great help gotten right here.

 

So what I'm trying to say, is please don't feel inadequate, this is THE place to learn and grow in this craft =)

[Guest NCAugeriFan]

Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement! :grouphug

 

I have seen some improvement in my work, esp since coming on board here. For a long time (when I did pick up a crochet hook) it was just a single stitch project or a double stitch project. I recently made a scarf that used all crochet stitches...the scarf turned out nicely...have to work on the fringe though.

 

I have picked some projects that are simple to read...working on a baby blanket now. I'm still working on my tension etc. Looks good. Other projects I 'll start and then get frustrated...but like you all said...it's how you learn.

 

I think the biggest frustration for me right now is that I read that Granny Squares are so easy, but that is the one thing I'm having problems with. I'm gonna have to ask a few people I know who crochet to sit and help. I can do the round 1 but after that I'll need help. But I'm not giving up. I think once I master the granny square...I'll feel better.

 

Thanks again! :)h

 

~cadie

[MarvieN]

Cadie, maybe try different squares. There are so many out there! I have issues with the normal granny square too. I just don't use that one lol.

[Guest NCAugeriFan]

I do have the leaflet ~ 63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine To Make An Heirloom Afghan. I haven't tackled any of those squares yet....but in looking at it again...I think I will try...I know how to do the single, half double, double and treble crochet. It's just the others that look overwhelming and intimidating! BUT...one square at a time right? Hummmm....I've already started thinking about using different color combinations of either the same square or maybe start with the squares I know how to do using different colors...hummmmm....I'm getting that excited feeling....this could be doable and a good learning experience....

 

Thanks Marvie...after looking at this leaflet again - and more closely....I can make a square without it being a "granny square" which is one of the 63 squares!

 

I am so glad Crochetville is here and I'm a part of it!!! You are all so wonderful!!!!

 

~cadie :danc

[Stacey]

I had a pretty hard time with granny squares when I first tried them. I tried about a half dozen different sets of instructions for the standard granny square from different books and web sites before it finally clicked.

[Guest Yarnentangled]

I used to feel this way. I had inherited some hooks from my mom and they were just sitting there...languishing. So I decided to learn how to crochet. I went to Barnes and Noble and scoured the shelves for the easiest books I could find. I ended up with 1 books and a Susan Bates " Learn To Crochet" kit. Very few of the patterns were exciting. This was just before crochet took off and good books started coming out. THis was back in 2001.

 

I saved my very first double crochet swatch as a reminder of how far I've come. That little swatch of acrylic yarn isn't even a square. Its an accidental triangle. But its my humble beginning and it reminds me that practice makes perfect.

 

I'd try to crochet and then put it away for several months. I'd feel the calling and pick it up again, learn a little more, get frustrated and put it away again. It wasn't until fall of 2004 that I pick it up and just took off and I haven't stopped yet.

 

So I am a beginner too. I've only been crocheting for 3 years and those first years were spotty. Keep practicing. If you get bored, frog it or just move to something else. I have lots of swatches , half done washcloths that got too complicated, and samples of novelty stitches that I've tried out. They sit there maybe they'll be frogged for the yarn or maybe they'll be used for some future project.

 

Just enjoy the learning process and be patience and steadfast. If you love crocheting, chances are good that you'll become very skilled at it in a very short time.

[CraftyChristine]

<span style="font-family:comic sans ms; color:purple;">Cadie hon, I so know how you feel! I think we've all been there at one point or another. I've been crocheting on and off for years, but up until six months ago, I couldn't even begin to understand a pattern! Then one night I sat down with a ripple pattern (for a lapghan my mom requested) and I read it over and over again, checked the stitch guide in the back of the book and frogged and frogged until I'd gotten a few rows right!

 

I used to get jealous, and even now I get a little envious when I think that my work isn't as nice as others, but have faith! It sounds like you're picking things up at a nice pace and you're doing really well <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/veryhappy.gif" /> Be proud!</span>

[Guest NCAugeriFan]

I usually go a few days without crocheting. After reading some threads here....I am going to find a traveling tote to keep a crocheting project in and take it with me where ever I go. I'll take it to work and instead of "working on work" during my lunch hour....I'll work on some crochet. I need to practice more!

 

~cadie )

[pidot]

I enjoyed reading all your thoughts, girls. thank you! i do sometimes feel like what Cadie does feel, asking myself if i could do those really really lovely works you've all done. Now i shouldn't be afraid to experiment. I've only been crocheting for a year now.

 

,

Fe

[Julie]

Cadie, after reading this I got inspired and posted in my blog. There is a picture of a really bad afghan there. )

[MarvieN]

Heh yeah... wanna see mine? I couldn't fit it's whole length in there, but you can see almost all of it. Then a closeup of the stitches...

 

 

 

That was just two years ago. I didn't do much crocheting from then till I found Crochetville. I've come a loooong way in the last few months thanks to everyone here!

 

You will too!

[LadyyOftheOak]

Keep practicing.. don't get discouraged and hang in there... nothing worth doing is ever easy to start out with and there are times even the most seasoned "hookers" are :th over a pattern or a stitch... it does get easier.. it does get smoother.. and you are wonderful and will continue to grow and achieve more skills ... I have faith in you :)h

[Guest NCAugeriFan]

I just finished my first hat!!!!!!:cloud9 :cheer2

 

Church was cancelled today because of the icy road. I kept thinking I want to crochet a hat. Found a pattern called Easy Hat (out of my crochet for dummies book) and I just finished it!!!! It even has a band around it! :cheer2 It was worked in all single crochet - some rounds work single crochet in each 2 sc , then 2 dc in a sc, then sc in 3 sc before you sc twice in a sc, etc....but I love it!!!! I did it!!! And it's orange!!!

 

:woohoo :woohoo :woohoo :woohoo

 

~cadie

[CraftyChristine]

<span style="font-family:comic sans ms; color:purple;">Yay! <img border=0 src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/cheer.gif" /> That's great Cadie! Finishing a project is so rewarding <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/veryhappy.gif" /> Do you have a camera so we can see a pic of your creation?</span>

[Guest NCAugeriFan]

No camera - I use those disposible cameras and I don't have one at the moment - I want to get a digital camera sometime this year. And when I do...I'll take photos of all of the crochet projects I've done.

 

~cadie

[Guest NCAugeriFan]

Thanks for your beginner's photos! :)h

[MarvieN]

:woohoo Congratulations =)

 

Hats threw me for a loop for quite some time! Once you have the first one under your belt though, they just get easier and easier =)

[Figmint77]

Cadie, I sometimes am envious of all the lovely creations I've seen posted on the web, especially here. But it's not like I'm trying to sell my creations on ebay for 800$. :hee So far, everyone I've made something crocheted for has enjoyed it, and that's all that really matters to me. I crochet because I enjoy it. Besides, even if something turns out ulgy and lopsided I know my dog will love to sleep on it anyway. :hee And one of these days I'll muster the gumption to try my hand at sweaters or things with shaping. ) Just keep hooking.. and froggin.. and hookin.. and... :hee

 

~Tricia

[labcrazyland]

Cadie, This place is a wellspring of information and inspiration!!!!!!!!! In the past few days i have done three infant pnchos, two hats, and am halfway done with a "Hascarf"!!!!!!!!!!! I am quickly finding that the more and more I crochet, the better I am getting at it in no time!!!!! Keep it up, you'll do great!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Kelly