This old dog learns a new trick!

Hey, guess what? I learned to crochet this week! Well, I did know how to crochet a chain, but I have never actually made anything before. I am so excited to learn a new skill!! Here is how it began... Abby's girl scout troop was invited to go to Crates of Yarn on Monday for an introduction to crocheting class. Since I had the day off (thanks to Martin Luther King) I decided to tag along for the class. I have always wanted to crochet because my Grandma Ruth made it look so easy and make such wonderful things. Whenever I tried to, I was always confused by the pattern directions. They read like a foreign language... "Ch 3, sc in next stitch. *dc in next stitch, sc in next stitch* around. Slip stitch to join. Ch 1." What the heck are they talking about?

Prior to the class, I picked up crochet hooks, a free pattern and some yarn at Wal-Mart. Actually, Steve picked up some camouflage yarn which had a free pattern next to it and said, "Why don't you make me this?" The pattern said it was for beginner and I was hoping that I could follow along enough in Abby's class to actually make something.

At the class, I sat next to a mom who had crocheted before. She tried to advise me on how to start. Eventually, I borrowed a "how-to" book from one of Abby's sister-scouts and tried to make heads or tails out of the instructions. As I went along, I would mess up, take out stitches, ask questions and try again. Finally, things started to click. Hey - I'm doing it!
I made myself the orange beanie hat first. Abby asked me to make her a hat, so I whipped a hat out for her. Then today, I made Steve's hat. I kind of winged it with adjusting for the different sized heads involved, but the loose weave was pretty forgiving.
I went back to the Crate of Yarn store for some more yarn today and picked up a cute book on making simple daisy chain flowers. I added some flowers to my hat and to Abby's... Didn't think that Steve would appreciate a flower, so skipped his. I now have yarn to make a beannie for Kippy, plus instructions for some other fun things. This old dog is enjoying a new hobby!