In our culture, experience and “seasoned” professionals are so valued… but think about it. Is there anything more exciting than being a beginner? Only when you are a beginner does the world seem wide open – youthful idealism – endless possibilities – an insatiable urge to know and obtain more information. Everyone has to start at the beginning.
When we are starting something new – no matter what it is – we often apologize and say “Oh, I am sorry, I am only a beginner”, or “Excuse my ignorance, but…” and on the flip-side, some people exaggerate their knowledge or experience, feeling that it is a competition of who knows more. Why do we feel this need to apologize for being a beginner? It’s okay to be a beginner and to NOT know things. Embrace the beginning. The beginner mind is open and ready. …and even as you become more experienced, you can hold on to that beginner mind, feeling the excitement of trying something new.
When I started to knit in 2003, I fully embraced the beginner mind – and because of my background and general interests, I tend to research the heck out of things. So, I checked out nearly every book at the library about knitting. Then, I took my search online – and that is when I found the wonderful online world of blogs, knitting forums, etc.
…and so it begins with crochet…
I am excited. If you follow me on Goodreads or on Ravelry you know that I have been queuing crochet books and patterns left and right. I am reviewing some right now, and will be happy to share reviews here, if you are interested!
You may recall that Christa taught me some crochet basics while I was in Vancouver. From there, I have been practicing on my own with my “go-to” beginner project: the scarf. So far, I am loving it. I love using yarn and my hands in a new way, albeit not *that* different, but enough to notice. My scarf is a simple simple fishnet pattern – single chains building on each other – and a lovely local handspun wool/mohair yarn that I picked up a few years back at a local wine/craft festival. (Interesting tidbit: if you happen to be heading to the Homespun Yarn Party today, this vendor will be there: Ewes-ful Fiber !)
Maybe I am just noticing it a bit more since I am now “into” it, but there is a crochet revival going on. There are some lovely patterns coming out now, both in books and magazines and by independent designers. It’s an exciting time to be a beginner with so much inspiration! I look at these patterns and marvel at them, realizing that I am not quite there yet on the skill level (but that’s okay – I am a beginner!) I have something to work towards 
It worked with knitting, and I have an inkling that crochet will be the same way.
…now to revive my “beginner mind” with weaving… my loom is gathering dust in the corner. I feel like I have forgotten a lot of the basics for weaving, so I need to do some more reading or get some tutoring…
This is my year to really focus on some stashbusting (yeah, I always say that) – I feel it’s gotten out of hand – and with all of these new ways to use my yarns, this task seems more manageable. My stashbusting efforts will be focused for the next few months on a knit/crochet-along with my fellow hockey-lovers over on the Puck This! Ravelry forum… we are doing another Stanley Cup Stashbusting event from April-June (when the Stanley Cup is awarded) during the rounds of playoffs. If you are interested in joining us, check out the forums!
The ladies in my family are all about the thread-crochet (we were all taught to make doilies…lots and lots of super tight, super laced, super big doilies that maybe turned into table runners or even table cloths), and use knitting on US2 to 4 needles as a break from the itty bitty needles and super skinny yarn. (This now explains my own knitting likes…)
I’ve been itching to get back to crochet using my sock yarn left-overs and a “super fat” (compared to what I usually use/USB1 hook=US2) needle to make a granny square scarf and yeah, when I went looking for ideas I was super pleasantly surprised by the number of patterns and how-tos out there.
The hardest part of crochet for me is not creating rope…I am a super tight crocheter. So my advice to you as a newbie? Loose is better
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It’s so nice to see someone CROCHETING!!!! That’s my medium, and can be difficult to find others that don’t pooh pooh it because they are knitters. I like to think both have a place in this world, an equal place. Thanks for sharing your beginnings.
If you ever want some advice or techniques, let me know! I’m available, and oftentimes I post tutorials on my blog.
Yay, have fun with your crochet adventures!
I was so excited to see all your crochet books on Goodreads! I’m like you — if it’s new to me, it means I’ve got to absorb all that’s been written about it — books, magazines, blogs. Doesn’t it feel great to be a beginner again?
Your scarf in progress looks luscious.
You’re right about crochet making a comeback. I’m seeing so many more crochet items out there.
I learned to crochet before knitting and let me tell you, it’s so easy to learn.
Can’t wait to see your fun creations.
Oh, I love this – I was just writing to someone about this earlier today.
I’m just learning to weave and am rather enjoying this lost, excited, overwhelmed, and highly-focused state of the beginner mind, myself!
THANK YOU for this post. It’s just what I needed to read, as a new knitter. I’m super excited but want to jump straight ahead to all the fancy wonderful patterns I’m just not ready for. I like your view on this and will work to have this same attitude!
Welcome to the world of crochet!
i enjoy crochet too, though it hurts my wrists in a way that knitting does not. i just finished a knitted vest with a super pretty crochet edging (seen here: http://morewithles.wordpress.com/2010/03/09/fo-napoleon-vest/). i wish i could do more of it without hurting myself.
can’t wait to see what you end up crocheting down the line…
I love the ideas you discuss here, Lolly. There’s something about that wide-eyed wonder at a new thing, the relish with which we throw ourselves into learning, that’s so exciting. I feel a rush each time one of my students reads/discusses something new that they love, or a writing technique I’ve been telling them about for weeks finally clicks. Learning is pretty awesome.
I learned to crochet before I learned to knit and both crafts have a special place in my heart. Although, I have to confess that the current top spot is held by the two needles and yarn kind, but who knows soon I may well be crocheting like there’s no tomorrow. I love your scarf and the pile of Louisa M. Alcott books. Little Women is one of my favorite reads.
Well done on learning a new craft. I have noticed since last year that crochet was making a big comeback and they actually have some really lovely patterns out there. Your scarf looks wonderful. I attempted to teach myself last year but after trying to work out all the different stitches it was starting to confuse me and frustrate me as well. Maybe I just need to work on a certain stitch for a period of time before I attempt to make something. I did manage the slip stitch and the double crochet so that was about it. If you can suggest some great books to learn from that would be very helpful!
My grandmother used to crochet, but that’s something I still have to learn. After she died, I was the one who had to clear up her craft room, and I’ve kept all of her hooks and thread. And I’ve found something she was crocheting for my grandfather that was almost done, only missing a short chain – so I did it. Though I don’t know how to crochet, I could easily figure out how to do a chain. It wasn’t as nice as the one she had done on the side side of that piece, but still – it felt nice finishing her work and being able to give my granddad the last piece she had been crocheting for him.
As for the loom gathering dust, I have one like that too, now! It’ll be great to see you weaving again. That will probably inspire me to finally go and call the nice lady who had offered to tutor me…
I was admiring potholder patterns on Ravelry and Flickr last week and found a beautiful pattern by Minty Fresh called Stir Me Up Potholders. The photo alone makes me want to learn to read crochet patterns!
Agree(eleventybillion) on the beginner mind! I’d hate to ever be of the mindset that I know everything about knitting. That would mean there would be nothing to learn! (And that would be an incredibly ignorant and arrogant thing to say!)
I’m sure there is something to learn about knitting every single day, with every single project. There are so many new yarns, and new patterns and new needles and endless possibilities!
And yay for the new craft!
I totally agree about the beginner mind. It’s one of the reasons I like to talk about theater and singing with young singers and actors, because they’re so darn fresh and excited and ready for anything. I usually tell them not to think of themselves as inexperienced and clueless, but as a fresh perspective.
I love your scarf, by the way! I think I may have to figure out how to do that.
How are you so wise? You’re so right about being a beginner. When I’m at that stage with something new, I’m always struck by how people who are really experienced in whatever area it is make it look so easy, and as a result, you think you can make great progress quickly. It’s very humbling to realize that mastering something takes skill and years of practice, and it gives me a new appreciation for those who are experts.
I’ll be excited to see all of your fiber output this year! xoxo
yay! i’m taking a crochet class at the moment and am so excited by all the possibilities. it’s fun to learn a new craft!
Go you! I’ve been crochetting since I was a little kid, and now I usually reserve it for blankets and afghans, but the skill is worth learning none-the-less. None of this crochetting vs. knitter hate here!!
I struggle with being a begginner so have to really focus on learning and improving. I always feel that I am rubbish and want to give up. I loved reading your post and looking at it in a new light. I hope you enjoy the crochet.
Oh yay – crochet! I’m also a crocheter (haven’t started knitting yet), so I can’t wait to see what you get up to! It’s true, there are some great designers out there coming up with patters that appeal to a new generation of crocheters (me!). Also glad that Vancouver got you started on this new craft!
there’s a ‘soft wave’ pattern by jan eaton, it’s great for stripy stash busting! i made a scarf with it, but out there in blog land lots of people made afghans! it’s like classic ripple zig zag patterns, but much softer and nicer. and once you’ve done that first row, it’s really easy and straight forward! http://www.flickr.com/photos/planetjanet/3424407494/