Monday 12 April 2010

The devil's craft: a retraction

Some months ago I wrote a post about my first attempts at crochet. It had been a long old battle and I was feeling despondent. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't enjoy it. I had a strong suspicion that wool and hook were conspiring and laughing at me behind my back. The Stitch & Bitch girls were ready to drown me in my hot chocolate, such were my moans. I would pore through the pages of Attic 24, jealousy oozing out of my pores.

However, because I'm a stubborn little madam (hello? I'm an Aries aren't I?!) I refused to give up and with the help of a little tin bird, I eventually found my way.

Since that second post I have undergone a small transformation. My cross stitch has lain abandoned for who knows how long now as I sit and I hook. I've got in to my stride and it's more than a little bit addictive. I love the speed with which the squares begin to take shape. One problem with cross stitch is that you can work on it for hours and it resembles nothing more than a colourful blob on the aida. With the granny square you can see almost immediately where you're going and how bloody brilliant it's going to be.

Maybe it's the repetitiveness of it that's so soothing, just going round and round and round and round. Minimal concentration, maximum output.

I discovered you can crochet on the train on a recent trip to Manchester. I'm not going to lie, you get a few pretty strange looks, but I was brave enough to withstand them. (Must be a sign I'm getting older, I'm becoming less bothered of what people think of me.) I have a train journey down to Newton Abbot at the end of this week - 6 hours. The wool is coming with me. Podcasts are lined up ready to put on the i-pod. It's going to be acesome (yeah I'm still pushing that one).

It's not been without it's troublesome times. I have faced unknown hardships along the way including severe cramp, the perils of discontinued colours (hurray for the internet), the ordeal of making sure the colours are in a complementary order and, perhaps most importantly, the flippin' expense of it all. This is not the cheapest hobby I've ever taken up. I might have to take up another one to fund it - hunting for truffles maybe, or selling drugs. I'm not fussy.

But these traumas have been swept aside as I gaze with what I can only imagine is some kind of maternal pride at my woolly baby, taking shape before my very eyes. Sometimes I'll lie on top of it and pretend it's finished (too much information? Really?) I reckon 25 squares ought to get me a damn fine blanket. 36 squares would be amazing but I don't want to aim too high (and neither does my bank balance).

So I apologise to you crochet. You are not the devil's craft after all. Although you have done a pretty good job of subverting my attention away from all other crafts.....hmmm.

15 comments:

Kelly said...

Gorgeous!!! Well done! I wish I could crochet, but I'm a leftie and just can't get the hang of it!!!

Unknown said...

Wow this is looking fab. If always get bored you can make cushion covers! Kx

thecafecat said...

I want to know the secrets!

The Curious Cat said...

I am so impressed! It looks amazing!!!! Well done girlie! I want a crochet blanket!!! xxx

Taz said...

Looking good hon ;) You're an inspiration I used to be able to crochet when I was young, have totally forgotten it all and am now too scared to try again.

Anonymous said...

Podcasts and crochet...sounds like heaven to me!
And drug dealing to fund my yarn habit sounds a good prospect too...
and of course your squares look dee-licious!!
Em xx

Taz said...

One award for you on my blog ;) x

Heather said...

I am actually weeping with pride here ♥

ps would love to see you take up truffle hunting.

ana said...

Lovely! I recommend the old crochet-and-CSI combo. Works for me!

thecafecat said...

That dish made me switch to beetroot... used to hate it.. but it's a converter!

mooncalf said...

Really nice - it looks very neat and even and I like the colour choices you've made. What yarn are you using?

Unknown said...

Oh my! That is wonderful, now I feel more ashamed than the last time I said I was ashamed! I still haven't got past a few uneven sad looking rows! I love the colours you have used... I am well impressed! Re your comment on my blog, yes, you did explain what you meant very well, and I totally agree with you! suzie xxx

Diane said...

Fab blanket!! I was speed reading through though and at one stage I thought you were doing a baby blanket for your baby!!!!! I spit my tea out, and re read!! Phew!!! I have left you some words of wisom on your other post - as one who's heart has been through the ringer!! Feel free to take advice, or just ignore it. Just remember that they are only men, and the ones who are not "Bas*ards" certainly have the potential to be. xxxx

Taz said...

See told you I was a freak ;) Seriously though it was funny, the dragged out of bed routine was classic comic book. Even my 15 year was laughing. Yep freaky family r us :D
Looking forward to reading all your facts ;)

...Nina Nixon... said...

Hey you - grand job and well done for persisting...once you get it then your well away - though saying that it did take me over a year of stubborness...Aries again!!

Nina xxx