Ok- so I'm sitting in class, with 9 other women, all hunched over, concentrating closely. I can't seem to get anything to work properly. I break into a sweat. One woman has already walked out. No, this is not a nightmare about showing up for a final exam naked, but my first attempt at crocheting.
Learning to knit was such a wonderful process. With Mama N as our amazingly patient teacher, we had many fun knitting and wine club sessions with wine and snacks sometimes getting the better of our knitting. Laughing over mistakes with all my Mama friends helped me learn. I, of course, needed many extra help tutorials that Mama N was kind enough to indulge me. She still often gets my panicked emails with questions.
Mama N has been encouraging me to learn to crochet as I tend to take on many gifts for people and knitting takes so much time. She even sent me a book with instructions and patterns. She promises me crochet is easy and I'll be able to work faster- but I'm still not sure.
Learning a new skill at eight months pregnant may not be the best idea for my sanity, but I decided to give it a try. I signed up for a 2 week class at lionbrand studios in Union Square. While it is not our beloved store "The Point" (now closed), it does have a nice variety of yarns and the salespeople are all very friendly (not like our neighborhood shop). I was surprised the class was full (10 women- 9 after an older woman who was a needlepoint teacher gave up after 10 minutes) and was excited for a night out. The women taking the class were very nice, but it wasn't like learning with friends. No one to giggle with or to to help each other out. I found myself lagging behind and getting frustrated. Tracy encouraged us to go at our own pace- that we would all get it. Halfway through the class, I wasn't sure it was for me - but I felt better at the end. I was finally able to do single crochet. Some had moved on to half double but I will practice this week. My feeble attempt at crocheting is in the photo. If only I could fly to Mama N for some private lessons!
Oh wow that's great! You will pick it up and I promise it is easy. What used to throw me is where to start and where to finish a row. And remember that the first row is ALWAYS the hardest. If you can do single crochet (sc) you can do all the others as they are just wrapping the yarn around the hook more times. Just refer to the book for how many times and you'll be fine.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe one lady walked out? What a quitter!
I know- the woman was such a quitter. Our teacher felt so badly that she could have done more- but she only stayed 10 mins. The woman was a needlepoint teacher and I think she expected to just get it in a second!
ReplyDeleteMama J, I wish I could have taken the class with you. Then at least we could have giggled together. Remember how I couldn't visualize the slip knot during our first knitting lesson with Mama N? It makes me laugh just thinking about it. Now I am inspired to find a crochet class in SF so I can start crocheting baby blankets. Then we can compare class notes.
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