By Olivia Zitnik

Crocheting is a relaxing and simple craft of creating objects using cord of various types and a single, hooked tool. Using the hook, the cord is drawn up in a series of loops which interlock, creating fabric. Intricate patterns and textures can be created by combining the various loops. It is often compared to knitting, but apart from creating interlocking loops it is not much like knitting, which is done on two (usually) straight pointed pins. Anyone familiar with the techniques can look at an object and tell at a glance which method was used to create it.

The origins of crochet are unknown, but it appears to have become popular in the early 1800's, with the first printed pattern using the technique being printed in 1824 in a Dutch magazine. No existing crocheted fabrics from earlier than the 1800's are known. It is theorized that prior to machine spun threads and yarns crochet, if known, was not practical because of the amount of yarn it consumes in creation of a fabric. However, with the advent of machine-spun cotton thread it became a much simpler method for the creation of lace, one that any young lady could master.

The basic stitches are called single, double, and triple crochet. Half-double, and half-triple are also used. In addition various timings of placing the yarn over the hook, or pulling up loops from previous rows can be used to create designs. The type of cord selected will also determine the finished look of the piece.

Examples of items created by crocheting include garments, blankets (usually called afghans when crocheted or knitted), rugs, wall decor, lace, jewelry, dolls, and novelties.

By  Jevin Hall
Crocheting is one of the most relaxing hobbies there is because of the repetitive movement of hooking the yarn and working with it in a very rhythmic way. Crocheting is easier to learn than knitting, because one simple stitch can be used to create thousands of different items. These items can be given as gifts, which makes crochet a hobby that does double-duty: it helps you relax and provides thoughtful gifts for people at the same time. But it can also make you money if you sell your handmade items at craft fairs or online. You could even take orders for large items like afghans, as these make great gifts, especially around the holidays.

Don't think you'll buy a hook and some yarn and start crocheting salable items on your first day, however. Like anything, crocheting takes practice to be done right. Even once you learn to chain the yarn to get started and then to make a simple single crochet stitch over and over, you still have to learn consistency. Keeping the pressure even and taut on the yarn as you crochet, and making your stitches the same size, are things that can only be learned by doing.

Fortunately, most beginning crocheters do a good enough job on their first project, or at the very least their second, to at least give those items as gifts if they choose. A simple beginner's book on crocheting can get you started. Make your first item something simple and fairly quick, like a loose-stitch scarf or a cotton washcloth. Starting small will give you a greater feeling of accomplishment earlier on, and help you stick with the project.

A baby blanket is a good third or fourth project, because it can be finished fairly quickly. Once you've had some practice and feel confident about your crocheting skills, try larger projects like sweaters and bedspread-sized afghans, which can sell for $150 and up. Even if you don't want to crochet for others to make money, you can enjoy the popular hobby of crocheting items to give as gifts. And don't forget to keep some for yourself!

By Donald Kaiser

For the last 20 years, I have been trying to learn to crochet. With the help of a very patient friend, I finally got it right. It seems that I was picking up my loops backwards; no one had noticed this before! I started out with a simple single crochet scarf for my daughter, which I didn’t like how it looked when I finished. So I made her another for her birthday in her favorite colors, purple and hot pink. She loves it so much that she wears everyday! When we were decorating for Halloween, my daughter asked me to make a pumpkin costume for one of her stuffed animals, so I made a pumpkin with the lid on a string so it couldn’t get lost. She was elated! I have made her a double crochet hat and a pair of tennis sock slippers…she thinks it is wonderful that I make her things out of yarn and my own hands!

For Christmas this year, I have been working on gift sets that include a waffle weave dish cloth, an oversized pot holder, and a crochet lace edged towel. I cannot believe how quickly I picked up on crochet once we worked out the issue I was having! My sister has ordered more towels with the lace edge and pot holders for her summer cottage. The look on my family’s faces when I gave them the sets to use for the holidays was worth more than anything I spent on supplies.

Crocheting

By Paul Lynn

Crocheting is a craft that many remember our mothers and grandmothers doing and is quickly becoming a forgotten craft. The reason is that many people will simply go to a store and purchase one that is of poor quality in order to save some time and money instead of learning the art itself. The materials required for this hobby are a crochet hook and yarn, or cotton thread.

When first learning the art of crocheting, it is advisable to start with a large crochet hook and some wool. Once some of the basics of crocheting are learned, you will be amazed at how fast a project can work up. In order to start the base chain, you make a chain loop that hooks onto the crochet hook. This chain loop is also known as the foundation chain. Other common stitches in crocheting are the single crochet, double and triple or treble crochet and these stitches or variations of are found in almost every crochet design pattern or crocheted piece that you make.

Once you have learned some of the basics about crocheting and have required some skill in this needlework craft, you can try to make something with the smaller steel crochet hooks and cotton thread. Crocheting with cotton thread and a steel crochet hook will be a bit tedious to those who just start out using this type of material and hook as it is much smaller than the thickness of wool or yarn.

Crocheting with cotton and a steel crochet hook will produce some lovely things to adorn your dressers, tables and chair sets. Doilies, table runners, chair sets and bedspreads are some of the things that you can make with the cotton and smaller crochet hooks. The larger hooks and wool can produce blankets, sweaters, hats, scarves and many more handcrafted items.

The next time you are interested in learning a new craft, try your skill at crocheting as you will be amazed at how enjoyable it is once you have finished your first project and your work of art.

Crocheting

By Wes Homan

Crocheting is an art I learned a couple of months ago, after I had given up on knitting and tangling up yards of yarn. It seemed to be simpler, easier and had almost as many patterns as knitting patterns. I now do it in front of the television, when someone else is driving the car and when I am just sitting around not doing much.

Crocheting is also a great stress reliever, and a rather soothing activity that can help calm you down as you watch the stitches increase and decrease, creating shapes. Finishing up projects can also make a person feel great, wearing a scarf you made, or giving a baby a bear you crocheted just makes a person stick their chest out in pride – it does for me at least.

Crocheting saves a lot of money too. If you have tried to buy one of those gorgeous, hand made afghans or sweatshirts you know what I mean. Instead buy a few roles of yarn, a needle and pattern, sit in front of the television or turn on the radio and make yourself or your family members something.

The holidays are coming up soon and there are dozens of things you can make for people. Make a grocery bag for a friend who cares about the environment. Make you daughter a cool bracelet, or a chic necklace; for a new baby, make an extra soft blanket. Gift your in laws with scarves. Make yourself some wrist warmers, socks, mufflers.

These very projects can also help people in need. Make bears for children in the hospital, crochet little squares to send to sew into a little afghan for premature babies, and big afghans for adults who are sick. You can also sell the crafts you make and donate the money, doing both your heart and soul good. Crocheting has many benefits, the one I learned best that of patience.

Have fun!

By Wes Homan

Old time crafts are made solely from natural materials. When store-bought crafting supplies are used on any type of craft, it loses the old fashioned appeal. Objects found in nature are the most beautiful embellishments for homemade craft creations such as bird houses and feeders, greeting cards, Christmas décor, etc. Pinecones, leaves, straw, nuts, pebbles and small rocks are just a few of the many natural materials that transform your handiwork into a beautiful old fashion piece of art.

Pebbles and small rocks can be used to cover the roof of a bird house or to adorn a bird bath. Some types of beach ferns resemble the fur of animals and may be used on a greeting card as the fur of a critter or a decorative arrangement in a vase. Colorful autumn leaves can be coated in a thin layer of olive oil to enhance their color, laminating them, and cutting them out to embellish greeting cards, scrapbooks or stationary. Dried flowers become almost weatherproof when heavily sprayed with layers of hairspray. The colorful buds may be used to decorate close pin bags, bird feeders, welcome signs and flower boxes. Beach sand in a natural color or dyed with food coloring is used in sand art pieces, greeting cards and paintings. Curled wood shavings painted blue are used to create waves. Dried seeds from fruits and vegetables may be used for rooftops or flower petals. Coffee grounds will resemble dirt when sprinkled on glue. Pebbles, periwinkles and shells are often used for bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Materials found in our natural environment have many uses and are limited only by your imagination.