I’ve decided my next step is to learn some skills specific to Amigurumi. But first, it is always good to look back and see what has been learned so far!

1. 1. • holding the yarn and the hook at the same time
      • adjusting the tension so it is easy to insert the hook
      • where to insert the hook
      • making the first slip knot
      • making the chain (something for the first row to attach to)
      • getting better at even tension
      • binding off
      • weaving in the ends
      • changing colours
      • chain stitch (ch), single stitch (sc) and slip stitch (sl st)
      • counting is very important
      • the purpose of a single chain stitch is at the beginning of each new row
      • don’t forget the last chain of the row! It can be hiding. This video was very helpful particularly for this tip which can be seen at 15:30.

We can’t forget frogging! I can thank several online sources for teaching me all of the above. YouTube and my PLN are the biggest contributors to my learning.  I continue to refer to the 3  resources I have used as my PLN which are the Facebook group, Ravelry and Reddit.

Back to the next set of skills Required for Amigumuri. These include:

• • • dc = double crochet
    • inc = increase
    • dec = decrease
    • mc = magic circle
    • reading crochet patterns

Most Amigumuri pieces start with the magic circle. What is a magic circle you ask? Watch this from TikTok which explains it better than i could:

@astapastacrafts

Struggling with the magic ring? Here’s my step-by-step guide for complete beginners 🧶✨ Follow along as I break it down slowly so you can master this essential crochet skill! #MagicRingCrochet #CrochetTips #SlowCrochet #BeginnerCrochet #CrochetForBeginners

♬ APT. – ROSÉ & Bruno Mars

I have started to practice, and, not surprisingly, there are many different ways people like to do this. I found a video that I understood. I think I can start the magic circle now, although quite clumsily as I demonstrate here in this video.

 

I am feeling impatient to start the amigurumis….. however, I pressed on with the second dishcloth and I am very glad I did. Through this exercise I gained more skills and became more confident with counting and recognizing the stitches.

The first dishcloth was done with a single crochet (sc) stitch, and I decided to learn a different stitch for the second one. The idea for the second stitch came from TikTok and it is called a crunch stitch. Although there are 2 varieties, the most common one being a combination of a half double crochet stitch (hdc) and a slip stitch (sl st). Contrary to logical thinking a half double  crochet stitch is not a single crochet stitch. I ended up using is a  combination of single crochet stitch followed by a slip stitch. 

At first I was having the same issues that I had the first time with inconsistent stitch counts which resulted in the skinny part. However, about halfway up, it finally came to me how to begin and end each row properly. Using the crunch stitch really helped as I could see the difference between the  single crochet stitch and the slip stitch which allowed me to see if I was landing on an odd or even stitch without counting.

You can see in the picture I’ve highlighted how straight the last half ended up! I think the final row is wobbly due to tension issues, which I continue to work on.

To finish off the dishcloths I wanted to put a different coloured edge around them. I was also determined to learn something from the short-video format of TikTok and Instagram, so I learned to change colour and to edge with these platforms. The first edge technique is a just simple single stitch. The second one, I don’t think has a name, I learned from this video.

@crochet2crochet

easy new crochet edge pattern #crochet #crochetersoftiktok #crochettiktok #foryou #fyp #crochetboottutorial #crochetshawl

♬ Epic Music(863502) – Draganov89

Final results of my new dishcloths!

(they actually make me laugh, but in a good way!)

 

Three weeks ago I got a new job and this was my first week on my own. My days are so full that each day at work feels like 2 hours. Needless to say my work has come home with me this week which has resulted in both my crochet hook and I  experiencing separation pains. I have quite a few unscheduled hours this weekend so I look forward to reuniting with my new friend.

Saying that, I have been THINKING about my crochet progress which is part of the process for sure.

Continue reading “Crochet on my mind, not my hook”

Since my last post I have been making progress on my dishcloth. I’d say it is about 2/3 complete. It is not perfect, and I have been resisting the urge to frog, so that I can look back and learn from my mistakes.

While YouTube and other online instruction sources have gotten me so far, I really needed some realtime feedback for answers to my questions.  This is where the Facebook group Crochet Tutorial & Patterns that I mentioned in a previous blog post has been so helpful! The members are quick to reply and have offered great advice, coming from experience. I have also reached out to a friend who crochets and she has been offering advice through the messaging app.

TikTok and Instagram I have left behind for the moment. As I practice my skills, what I need is the instant feedback that the Facebook group and messaging provides. Although I did find this relatable video on TikTok.

It’s good to keep the spirits up!

@sarahthebookfairy

HELP #crochet #crochettok #crochettutorial #cozycrafts

♬ original sound – Sarah 📖🧚‍♀️💕

 

I continue to struggle with counting my stitches! I don’t quite understand where I am going wrong…. but my first attempt at a dishcloth was looking for like a frilly collar

Frog, stitch, count. Frog, stitch, count. My PLN on Facebook came to the rescue with some excellent advice…

I will post another update when I have some real progress to show…