It could be worse!

Well, my first dishcloth is complete (see picture below - the color is funny looking because it is two-tone thread).  Well, I haven't yet mastered the craft of "finishing" a crochet project, but this is the meat and the potatoes of it!

I think I'll try another dishcloth, this time with a different pattern.  It's ok that I don't so much care for this one, I'll just experiment with patterns and stitches until I find something that I'm pleased with.  As soon as I find a free afternoon (ha!), I would love to call my grandmother's best friend or my old babysitter.  Maybe shadowing for a bit would help me reach my expectations...?

Another thing that I'd like to do when I find/make some time is read through some of the crochet blogs that I've found.  A book from the library led me to a blog for "The Crochet Dude"...

Nothing Fancy

I've enjoyed reading a book that I checked out at the library the other day. It has many contemporary ideas for needlecrafts as well as very helpful graphics. The descriptions of abbreviations have been most useful - I'm learning a bit of a new language!

After completing a good-sized practice piece, I decided on a first project -dishcloths! The lady that kept me when I was little crocheted dishcloths for my mom as holiday gifts back in the day. These dishcloths are still in our kitchen today! I thought this would be something simple that I may actually be capable of completing! I recently purchased some 100% cotton thread, perfect for the task, and I am currently on row 3 of dishcloth #1. I'll post pictures as soon as #1 is complete!

Here's the practice piece (nothing fancy...I'm working on that!:

Joined at the Hip

We're making progress (my needle and I, that is)!!  I'm not sure what my mini-project will turn out to be, but we're getting somewhere.  I'm going with my no-turning-back plan and, so far, so good.

I have a small kit, if you will, complete with different sized needles, thread, patterns (that I can't yet read), etc. that is nearly attached at my hip at all times.  Occasionally, I toss in my chapstick, keys, and phone and it doubles for a purse (how handy).

I'm realizing more and more how useful this skill is:

-newborn gifts (hats, blankets, etc.) - check!

-inexpensive scarves for everyone - check!

-framed doilies to pass down for generations to come? - check!

-productive feeling during not-so productive time periods/while watching TV - check!

Well, below is proof of my ever-so-tiny progress :).

Square 1

A 40% off needlecraft sale at Hobby Lobby last week made that errand an absolute necessity. Can you tell that I'm a sale shopper? I picked up some different size threads and needles, hoping that maybe I would decide on a project (one that is both manageable and that I will use!), but I find myself still in "square 1".

The perfectionist in me is keeping my attention to the little things. It seems as though every time I get going, I undo and begin again. My goal for the next week is to ignore slight imperfections and keep on trucking.

Once I figure out all of the abbreviations and where to loop each thread, I may make a scarf. I think that's doable...

Here's a picture of the little progress I have made: a ring, a single crochet, and a double crochet...