Would you like to learn to crochet?

The treasures tucked in a hope chest to be shared lovingly with succeeding generations are often those crafted from patient fingers who weave fabric and yarn into memories and family history. Observing an experienced crocheter with their labyrinth of fibers twisted among their fingers, many believe that learning to crochet is an impossible task. But like any work of art, a crocheted masterpiece begins with a single stitch. There are many resources for learning how to crochet. Crochet lessons are often offered at craft stores, community schools, church groups and yarn shops. Joining a local crochet guild or crochet club can be helpful in learning new crochet stitches or patterns, Asking an experienced crocheter to demonstrate the basics is often the best method, but sadly with our busy schedules, that is not often possible. Books and leaflets are available at the library and craft stores, and many will give explicit directions with stitches and patterns for beginners. Finding an old crochet pattern book at a yard sale, flea market or thrift shop is an unexpected bonus, especially when it contains a vintage doily or retro poncho pattern. The time constraints of our busy society unfortunately are very limiting to today’s beginning crocheter if they rely on the methods of learning that their grandmothers leisurely enjoyed. The modern crocheter’s best resource for learning how to crochet, learn new stitches and discover patterns has become the internet. Youtube in particular offers how to crochet videos which allow you to learn to crochet on line and master stitches, both simple and complex, with on line crochet tutorials that are easy to follow. Several virtual crochet sites offer encouragement, lessons, patterns, and how to's as do many blogs. Facebook also has some crochet groups that can trade information, hints and ideas almost instantly. Several crochet magazines now offer a digital web version which allows you to view the patterns on the computer, print out what you need, and save the entire magazine in a tidy PDF format. I presently subscribe to several of them, including Crochet World, Crochet Today and Inspired Crochet, which is a fairly new digital magazine that features talented crocheters and trendy patterns. RAKJ patterns just started a new feature where they will email you a digital PDF pattern of the week for a very nominal monthly fee. The resources are there, videos, digital, patterns, graphs, it is limitless. So if you want to learn to crochet, come back soon, and I will get you started with links to webpages and videos that I especially rely on!