I can’t believe the semester is already over! It seems like just yesterday, I was trying to figure out where to begin this project. When I chose to learn crochet, I knew I wanted to challenge myself to learn something creative, hands-on, and completely new to me. What I didn’t expect was how much I would come to love the process of crocheting, and the sense of accomplishment I’d feel with each small finished piece. This project became more than just a newly acquired skill; it became a space for growth and patience! As I wrap up my learning project for the semester, I’m excited to reflect on where I started, what I’ve learned, and what creative projects I’ll start next with my new skills.
Breakdown of Learning Project:
- Chose crochet as a new skill for my learning project
- Picked crochet because it’s creative, practical, and affordable
- Planned to start with a basic square and learn new stitches weekly
- End goal: crochet a bucket hat by the end of the semester
Week 2- Crocheting for Beginners 101
- I used a beginner crochet guide to help me choose my supplies
- Started practicing using a beginner video tutorial
- Completed my first single-stitch square
- Found a list of beginner projects using single-stitch
Week 3- Dre Crochet’s on TikTok!
- Used TikTok as a tool for this week’s learning project
- Lost a draft due to storage problems
- Switched to using CapCutShared the video on both TikTok and YouTube
- Crochet progress so far includes: square, chain, single, half-double, double, and triple stitches
Week 4- Hooked on Words: Crocheting without Visuals
- Struggled with reading a crochet pattern
- Gave up on the pattern and followed a YouTube tutorial instead
- Learning update: completed the top of a practice hat using double-crochet stitch
Week 5- Trying a New Crocheting App
- Tried the Easy Knitty app
- Learned about dye lots
- Finished the sides of my first bucket hat
- Learned differences in yarn types
- Cotton – sturdy, breathable, great for hats, bags, summer wear
- Acrylic – affordable, stretchy, good for beginners
- Wool – warm, easy to undo mistakes
- Chose this cotton yarn from Michael’s for my final project
Week 7- Crochet Bucket Hats: What I Learned from Blogs
- Learned how to adjust hat size from a blog
- Discovered what blocking is
- Tried a new stitch technique for a more structured bucket hat look
Week 8- Yarn Tension and Crocheting
- Stitches were too tight on the first cotton yarn attempt
- Found a helpful article about yarn tension
- Tried tips and techniques from a YouTube video
- Completed a second hat with more even stitches after practicing and adjusting my technique
- Feeling more confident in my yarn tension with more practice and persistence
Week 9- Learning to Read Crochet Patterns
- Found this crochet pattern to create my final project around
- Wrote my own crochet pattern to make any future adjustments
- Noticed differences between the acrylic yarn and cotton yarn
- Found an article on how to read crochet patterns
Week 10- Learning to Read Crochet Diagrams on TikTok
- Found a helpful guide on how to read crochet diagrams
- Learned more about crochet diagrams from this TikTok video
- Update on Shrek bucket hat: base completed, working on Shrek ears
Week 11- Final Reflections on My Crochet Learning Project
This brings us to my final post on the learning project. While I have learned a lot throughout my journey, my three main takeaways are:
1. Video Sources are Essential
I relied heavily on videos from YouTube and TikTok to teach myself how to crochet. These resources helped me understand everything from basic stitches and yarn types to reading patterns and diagrams.
2. Trial and Error Helped Me Improve
Through lots of trial and error (and some failed bucket hats), I learned the importance of things like yarn tension, tracking rows, and adjusting size. Writing down what I did made it easier to build on my progress and understand how different materials behave
3. Patience and Problem-Solving Were Key
I’m still finishing the ears for my Shrek bucket hat final project, but the biggest lesson so far has been to stay patient and keep going, even when things don’t turn out right the first time. Each challenge was a learning opportunity that helped me grow more confident in my skills.
In the future, I would love to assign a learning project like this in my classroom. Encouraging students to choose a skill and learn it using online sources can help them develop independence, critical thinking, and digital literacy. It also allows them to explore their interests while building problem-solving skills and resilience through real-world challenges. Anyway, thanks for learning with me!
