Croshay

     I know that's not how it's spelled, but there's just something unsavory about crochet.  I can't like it, so I either have to spell it wrong or say crotch-it like my good friend Kitty (click on Kitty for a picture of a very cute little boy holding some croshay and brief explanation of crotch-it).  Because of my delicate Midwestern sensibilities, I think I'll go with croshay.  So, I'm trying to teach myself to croshay.  I have been tempted by the numerous pretty blankets on this website and now I must learn.  I have two books on the subject, The Happy Hooker and Cozy Crochet.  I more or less taught myself to knit using a book, so I'm thinking that croshay will be no problem.  Except, it is a problem. Croshay is hard.

     This isn't the first time I've tried to learn to croshay.  Back in September when I went to Buffalo to hang out with the ladies, Kitty tried to teach me and I couldn't do it.  I threw down my hook in frustration and decided not to croshay.  Unfortunately, my desire to croshay just never went away so I'm giving it another shot.    After a couple of sad attempts using the directions in Cozy Crochet, this is what I had to show for efforts...these are supposed to be squares.

     I think that part of my problem was that I was forgetting to add a chain stitch at the end of each row.  I'm also struggling with the left handedness of croshay.  You have to old the yarn in your left hand and since I knit English style (yarn in my right hand) this seems very foreign.  It reminds me of the time I tried to play field hockey at Oberlin.  I grew up with two hockey playing brothers, and any time I picked up a hockey stick, I used my left hand as my dominant hand.  In field hockey, this is against the rules.  Everyone has to hold the stick right handed which doesn't seem fair.  The stick is also super short so you have to run around all hunched over, and for a gal who is long of leg, this is no fun.  Stupid field hockey.

     When I learned to knit, I tried over and over again to make a perfect little square swatch like they tell you to in the Stitch 'n Bitch book.  After many failures, I had my perfect little square and I still carry it around in my knitting bag.  I figured that I would do the same thing with croshay.  Late last night, I decided that I was going to make a single croshay square once and for all, and by this afternoon, I had done it.  Like my early knitting, it's a little tight, but I'm sure I'll get over that.  I think these are single croshays, but I'm still working on the terminology.  During tonight's programming, I will attempt to croshay a circle.

      One note on croshay hooks: Kitty told me early on that not all croshay hooks are the same.  She reccomended that I try the kind with the big handle (pictured on the left).  She was absolutely right.  Not only is this hook easier to hold, but the loops don't slide all over the place because they can't go any further than the handle.  I went to Michael's today and picked up a few more of this type of hook.  One costs as much as five of the other kind, but if you're in the market for a croshay hook with training wheels, I'd get this kind.  You won't be sorry.

 

 

Comments

[miriam]

Somebody told me once that it's possible to knit without really looking at the needles but that in crochet you have to keep your eye on the holes. Is that true?

I know how to crochet, but it's hard to do much else (like enjoy an evening of programming) and it seems to me all the patterns are bigger/clunkier. That could be because I'm a poser, though.

[Adrienne]

Those blankets are making me want to croSHAY too! LOve the way you spelled it lol

[Allegra]

I have been drooling over the rippled afghans all over blogistan as well, to the point that I would consider learning how to croshay.I like your spelling, I too hate the way it's really spelled. Lingerie is another word I don't like, lanjeray would be better, don't you think? Anyway, tangent, you've inspired me to find my copy of the Happy Hooker somewhere in one of these boxes and at least start figuring it out!

[BethC]

I have a similar cro-shay history, you give me hope! I also went to Oberlin... but no field hockey for me!

[christa]

I tried to learn crochet last year, but could never do it. Since then, I've learned how to knit continental, so I am really hoping that will make it easier. I'm glad that I'm not the only one that thinks that crochet is hard.

[Kim]

I learned crochet as a child, then relearned as an adult. I think it's easier to hold the hook like a pencil with the hook down, than with the hook upwards, like a (I can't think of anything you hold this way) which is the way I first learned. I don't know if this helps you or not. Your squares are showing marked improvement, though!

[Susan]

I don't really like crochet either but the ripple afghans are so cool looking. I've been resisting the urge to crochet so I started knitting mitered squares instead. Sort of a weird trade off, huh?

[janna]

Your square is lovely!

I crocheted a lot many, many years ago, but don't remember much. I think if I concentrated, I'd remember more than just how to chain, but at the moment, I have too much knitting to do!

[Amy]

Thanks for the tip on the crochet hook! I don't see myself becoming a full-fledged crocheter, but I would like to be able to do the basics. I think you're coming along great!

[Sophia]

Congrats on getting to conquer the croshay! It's a good thing to know how to do. I also love those clover needles; I bought the whole set w/ case (ended up cheaper than getting them individually).

[Hayley Toung]

I tried Crochet and am still learning to master the basics. I.e. how to make a foundation Chain! Can't be bothered moving on until i can make a perfect chain with perfectly regualr links. If the chain isn't perfect the rest won't be either and I can't bear the thought of setting up for failure, what a complete waste!
But as to those who say the ripple afghans are what motivates them to try, have you considered if you can knit but struggle to crochet then try knitting in Ripples, it's much the same impact in terms of finished product.