My grandmother taught me how to crochet when I was in Standard 4….so I was about 10 or 11 years old. She taught me how to make a square blanket. I would just go around and around and around, and would pick it up over the years and add whatever wool I could find.

So, I could crochet some stitches, but I had no idea they were called a special name, and how to start it off!

Now that we have wonderful technology like youtube and online tutorials, I thought I would attempt to teach myself how to crochet, and make a beanie!

1st problem: I didn’t know how to read a crochet pattern!

Solution: Google “how to read a crochet pattern” and came up with this site:

http://www.anniesattic.com/crochet/learntoread.html

2nd problem: I had no clue what a slip stitch, or double stitch was.

Solution: On the same site as above, they had the abbreviations for the terminology used in the patterns, and a link to how to do the stitches.

3rd problem: I didn’t have a pattern.

Solution: I googled for a crochet beanie pattern.

This video was very good. I liked how I didn’t have to follow a written pattern and all the jargen, I just needed to copy what she did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoCRUObS0Tc

But then I encountered another problem…

4th problem: I only had one roll of yarn/wool…and it was running out fast with the pattern I was following…it also was looking kind of wonky. I think it was because the wool I was using was thicker.

Solution: Take it apart and find another pattern.

5th problem: I didn’t have a pattern.

Solution: I had a crochet book that I picked up for 50 cents at Spotlight. It had a beanie pattern in it. Even thought I would have to follow a pattern, I thought I would give it a go.

6th problem: The beanie didn’t look like the one in the picture! doh’! I re-did it, and then it was too big.

Solution: Take it apart and start over.

7th problem: I didn’t have a pattern.

Solution: I googled for a beginner’s beanie crochet pattern.

I came up with this:

http://www.get-hooked.net/free-patterns/peek-a-boo-flower-hat/

8th problem: As I was muddling through yet another pattern, I found that the beanie was getting a bit too big again.

Solution: But this time, I had a “weee” bit of experience up my sleeve, so I adjusted the pattern, and it worked!

OH HAPPY DAY!

And I finally got to use the crochet flowers I had done a while a go.

This is the video tutorial I followed for the crochet flowers:

http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-crochet-flower-video-tutorial.html

Reality check: When did I find the time? This was all done while my youngest was at Playcentre for a couple of hours. When hubby came home from work I had a bit of time to myself, and then I worked on it some more in the evening. Phewwww!