Hey you guys and dolls who crochet. . .

[madame_ugly]

Have any good tutorials out there (books in particular)?

I really want to learn but I'm a bit dimwitted with the knitting/crochet stuff (like I get it for a bit then just forget it all).

I REALLY want to learn how to make all those cute little crochet critters but I'm a bit intimidated (knitting didn't go well for me, so I'm leery of crochet).

Advice?

Comments

[strange_tomato]

How about Teach Yourself Visually: Crocheting? That would seem to be the next best thing to having someone there to tutor you.

Crocheting and knitting are quite different processes, so there's a good chance you'll like it more. I do both with no problem, but I know a lot of crocheting folks who find knitting inconceivably complicated and frustrating. I wouldn't call crocheting easier (it can become intensely complex - just have a gander at some of those doily patterns), but it's a lot more immediate and structural.

[madame_ugly]

I think I'll put that on my christmas list. Thanks.

One hook vs two needles makes crochet "easier" in my book. Less ways to get yourself tangled up (yeah, I'm not very coordinated).

[iceraptoress]

I've been trying to relearn crochet lately, as I used to know how to do it in my youth, but after not picking up a hook in more than 20 years, I couldn't remember spit. I'm slowly picking it up again. And yes, all because I want to make the cute little critters too. And crochet rag rugs.

Anyway, the book I like best out of the several I bought is The Crochet Answer Book, by Edie Eckman. Good illustrations, straight forward language and terminology, extremely comprehensive, and a reasonable price.

[madame_ugly]

I think it's time to look both up at the library and give them the once over before adding them to my christmas list.

The silliest thing is, I own a book of patterns for cute critters (and even asked my mother-in-law to make some for me) and it's taken about a year for it to motivate me to learn.

[pixelcurious]

I found crochet infinitely easier than knitting, though I haven't kept up with it. I agree, one hook vs. two needles? No contest. Then there are the crazy people who knit on four needles. O_o

I don't remember what book I used but I do remember our library had several, and the visual instructions really varied. Some made no sense to me. So checking them out at the library first is a good idea.

[pink77punk]

I've been crocheting for over 30 years now. I can't recommend a beginner's book tho. I learned from my mom. HOWEVER! I can tell you that ana paula's amigurumi books are the best patterns for little toys anywhere

[madame_ugly]

Oh yeah, those little critters are exactly the type of thing I lust to make (couldn't remember the style name).

I'm thinking I'll start my foray into crochet after christmas (when I have a week's vacation from work).

I'll keep you in mind if I get stuck (and I'd love to see some stuff you've made).

[pink77punk]

Ask, and ye shall recieve.

Here's the link to my photobucket account with pictures of some of the items I've made:
http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w77/pink77punk/crochet

Capt. Kirk:
http://pink77punk.livejournal.com/5356.html
Spock:
http://pink77punk.livejournal.com/5531.html
Baby afghan:
http://pink77punk.livejournal.com/14517.html

[madame_ugly]

Very cool.

The space alien reminds me of a cricket doll my grandmother made for my sister (she made me an owl). And the cow is so cute!

The work in progress pics are kind of creepy, too, bald armless bodies. *shudders*

[kaylyn_white]

The critters are called amigurumi. My friend has been relearning crochet, and that's the majority of her work. She's currently making a small army of bears to take to the Shriner's hospital this Christmas for the kids.

You're in luck with amigurumi; as far as I can tell, you only need to use the single crochet stitch (and maybe chain stitch to start with, though my friend uses something she calls "magic circle" to start her projects).

I crochet, but I've recently learned to knit, and I like both equally well, though I cannot knit in the round to save my life! I do all sorts of crochet, from afghans and blankets, to doilies. It's a lot of fun and can get really intricate as you learn more complex techniques. My personal favorite so far is Celtic crochet, which involves working layers of stitching together.

[happiegirlie]

I like crocheting better because it's easier to put down and pick back up. I once got halfway through knitting an afghan and discovered I'd knit half a row twice. Sometime, I'd put it down and picked it up backward. :( It was not fun to pull out and re-pick up.