Crocheting: Learning the Basics - First Session

Well, I completed the first section of the crocheting class on Craftsy.com. I have to say that it was really easy to understand and follow along. Each section pauses during and after the section so you have plenty of time to play around with what you are doing. You can also pause it yourself and make comments to the teacher and any fellow classmates that are also watching the class.

The first section that I went through talked about the Chain Stitch and Single Stitch. I have to say that they opened my eyes to new creative ways to use the Chain Stitch as well as brushed up on my Single Stitch technique. I took what I learned in that section and followed my first pattern!

The pattern that I was following was one for a Cup Cozy that I also got off the website in the patterns section. It was a free pattern that I got, and boy was it easy to follow now that I have a working idea on how to read the pattern now! Here it is in all of it's first pattern glory!

Crocheting: Learning the Basics

So, I signed up to take a class to catch up and improve on my crocheting skills last night. It's through a wonderful site called Craftsy.com. I have a feeling that I will be making a lot of stops to that site for the various adventures that I plan on doing. 

I was going to take a class at my local craft shop since I like the first hand learning. But after going back and forth a few times, I decided to take the online route. Not only was it cheaper for the online class, but I can also go back to it again and again for no extra charge! That was a big plus for me since I am a Mommy.

I plan starting the first part of the class when both of my girls are laying down for a nap. I will be sure to keep everyone update as I make my way through the class. There are a couple of projects that we will be doing including tons of Granny Squares and a Tech Cozy! 

Crocheting: Double Stitch Afghan

My second project was started shortly after we moved to California. All of our stuff was packed into a moving truck that was making its way from one coast to another. So, I didn't have much to do here while Madison was taking for afternoon nap.
To help take fill up some of that down time, I started a blanket for our new arrival Sienna. I was hoping to have it completed before she was born (which gave me about six weeks to complete it) but I was a few weeks late. Better late then never, right!?
Since I had already "mastered" the single stitch, I decided to move onto the double stitch. This I have to say is much faster to do then the single stitch. I also feel that I had a better finished product as well.
Sienna's blanket is a nice rectangle shape with no craziness to it. I was able to keep the tension consistant throughout the whole this as well. Very proud of myself, and she really seems to like it. :)

Crocheting: Single Stitch Afghan

My first project that I decided to start with was a simple single stitch afghan for myself. My husband is such a blanket hog when it comes to curling up on the couch to watch a movie. So, I decided that a nice lap blanket would be a prefect project to start with.

My plan is to complete whole projects using one technique at a time. This way I can get used to doing one kind of stitch at a time before moving onto the next stitch or a crazy pattern. This afghan was originally started when we lived back in NJ. I started it a couple of weeks before Christmas. I wasn't too serious about doing it when I first started. But I stayed with it until it was finished.

It's a little lopsided while I was trying to get used to how I held the yarn, how tight I did the stitches and just the technique itself. That is another reason why I wanted to start out with a project that was for me, because I wouldn't mind if it was a little crazy. Although my Mom always told me that a hand-made gift that is a little lopsided is a wonderful gift, because it has lots of character! :)

Here is a close up of the blanket. I used a Lion Brand Homespun yarn.

About This Mommy...

Hello everyone! My name is Robin and my family and I live in wonderful Irvine, California. My husband and I moved here with our daughter Madison (1.5 years old) when I was just 6 weeks away from the due date of our second daughter Sienna.

It has been a crazy ride, finding new doctors, unpacking, giving birth and getting used to staying at home with a toddler and a newborn every day. But the ride is one that I am enjoying, and yes it is taking some getting used to as well. I used to be a full time Graphic Designer when we lived back on the East Coast. So, staying home with my girls is a big adjustment.

I don't know if it's the nostalgia of home that brought me to the decision to take up crocheting again. But I have already finished  two afghans since March! My Mom taught me how to do a simple single stitch afghan back when I was about 10 years old. I dabbled with it here and there. But never really took a true liking to it like I have recently. I've even decided to take some classes to bring me up to speed on the different stitches and how to read patterns!

I'm very excited about it and can't wait to jump right in! That is where this blog came into play. Why not through all of my dabblings and doings on a blog to share with everyone! I'll be posting about things that I have done with the girls as well as stuff that I have done on my own.

Please feel free to come back and check up on when this Crafting Mommy of Two has been up to! :)