a new hook in town…it’s crochet time

Posted on January 23, 2011 by cityhippyfarmgirl

I’ve always kind of liked the traditional ‘nana’ crafts. Making jams and marmalades was fun even as a teenager. Knitting, although certainly not skilled at it. I find knitting straight up and down rather therapeutic, (and one can never have enough scarves in a mild temperate climate.) I have an ambition to make cakes for the CWA. I like getting up early. My mother plays music to loud. I’m prone to the odd nod off on the couch during a movie. And sensible shoes make sense, high heels don’t.

See. Me and being a nana, it would work.

Now one thing I had always dismissed as truly an old lady craft was crochet. Old ladies did that. Ones that couldn’t knit properly. Crochet was for cheap man made fibres crocheted together to make lap blankets. Dismissed. I also couldn’t do it. Some how I had missed that hands on lesson as a kid. My older family members could all do it, but not nana girl here.

Something happened though. Somehow my nana rader was switched on and I knew there was another craft that needed to be looked at. My crochet light had been ignited. I wanted to play.

One lesson with my mum. Her saying, I taught myself as an 8 year old helpfully floated around my head.

A kids how- to book from the library was borrowed.

I was off. How much fun is a little hooked stick and a ball of wool!

Now I am still practising, and my efforts still look like that of a child’s, but jeez its fun. The possibilities are endless.

Little crocheted purses filled with chocolate for Christmas gifts (bottom picture), an alternative to ribbon (top picture) dressed gingerbread men…

Next, I’m thinking crocheted tissue box holders, underpants, and toilet seat covers.

Now how good will that be.

30 thoughts on “a new hook in town…it’s crochet time”

Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on January 23, 2011 at 7:18 am said:

Here’s a crochet suggestion, Brydie – a friend’s mother makes kitchen scourers from acrylic yarn – she crochets a 5″ circle/round, then she folds it in half and crochets (decoratively) around the edge to form a double-layered semi-circle. Makes a great kitchen sponge! 🙂

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on January 23, 2011 at 8:02 pm said:
  
  I had to have a chuckle Celia, my grandmother thinks these sponges are truly old lady pursuits.
  I had considered them though.
  
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Kristi on January 23, 2011 at 7:55 am said:

oh that gingerbread man…i love him.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on January 23, 2011 at 7:59 pm said:
  
  He likes to keep warm.
  
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Joanna @ Zeb Bakes on January 23, 2011 at 8:02 am said:

Did you ever have a knitting nancy? I loved mine. You could do edible crochet – with thin strands of Danish spaghetti liquorice –

Love, love love that gingerbread man in his red scarf ! 😀

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on January 23, 2011 at 7:57 pm said:
  
  I’m not sure that I ever did. I saw one recently actually, and thought it was lost art plaything.
  Crochet liquorice eh?…By george, I think you might be on to something there.
  
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dixiebelle on January 23, 2011 at 9:25 am said:

I want to learn to crochet to make my own dishcloths! If I could get that far, I’d be happy. I am very fond of Old Lady Skills…

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on January 23, 2011 at 7:52 pm said:
  
  Library kids ‘how to book’… I highly recommend it!
  
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bruisemouse on January 23, 2011 at 10:59 am said:

There’s nothing more satisfying than a batch of CWA scones with strawberry jam and a cup of tea (preferably followed by a nanna nap). Nanna style pursuits are always so relaxing and worthwhile.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on January 23, 2011 at 7:51 pm said:
  
  B Mouse I just finally got the hang of the old scone, so I think the combined effort of all these nana pursuits entitles me to a nana nap surely? 🙂
  
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Anna Johnston on January 23, 2011 at 11:36 am said:

Oh Boy…, we’re going to have to get you out more Brydie 🙂 But, while we’re into confessions about Nana habits & all things of the like….., I’ve knitted a dishcloth …, I know, I know…., Get Outa Town your saying. But its true. One of the gals in our family knits dishcloths (outa cotton) they are THE BEST dishclothes you’d ever want…., & sadly mine wore out so I went to work thinking it couldn’t be THAT hard…, mine is a bit outa shape but it works a treat. Get into the knitting or crocheting dishcloths girlfriend…,we’ll start a craze 🙂

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on January 23, 2011 at 7:49 pm said:
  
  …and the secret nana habits come out 🙂
  What did you make it from Anna?
  
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heidi on January 23, 2011 at 12:54 pm said:

I really can’t crochet. I wish I could. I can’t follow patterns and that keeps me doing single crochet for a long long long chain.
I love what you’ve done.
I think I’ll just stick to knitting. 😦

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on January 23, 2011 at 7:48 pm said:
  
  Patterns and I certainly aren’t friends yet. I think I’m a good decade off doing that.
  
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Christine on January 23, 2011 at 4:45 pm said:

I’m so glad you found the Nana Crafts Path. Learning is half the fun and when it all starts to click and come together..well, that is Nanelation! Enjoy your hooking, Brydie, it looks like you are well on the way 🙂

PS I saw THE most gorgeous crochet top the other day, worn over a cute little t-shirt with jeans….I’m inspired!

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on January 23, 2011 at 7:47 pm said:
  
  Nanelation 🙂 🙂 Love it.
  I’m intrigued by the top, do it, do it… I saw a stunning patch work black and white crochet top once. Sounds hideous, but it was gorgeous.
  
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bagnidilucca on January 23, 2011 at 6:51 pm said:

Knitting and crochet can be fun. I hate to waste time just watching TV. At least if you are making something at the same time it doesn’t seem so bad.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on January 23, 2011 at 7:45 pm said:
  
  Me too… It always feels much better doing the two things.
  
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shayray on January 24, 2011 at 12:45 pm said:

I love crochet. I tried to teach myself, but couldn’t. Do show what you learn to make so I can be reinspired to take it up.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on January 25, 2011 at 1:26 pm said:
  
  I’m going to embark on a hat I think next. If it doesn’t work out I’m sure a teddy could you use a little more head cover. I’ll let you know what I come up with.
  
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Yvette on January 24, 2011 at 7:28 pm said:

I have to admit I did learn to crochet as a child and my first ever hand made blanket won first prize in the local country fair…my fifty cent prize money was spent well as the fair! xx
The gingerbread outfit is just too cute!

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on January 25, 2011 at 1:26 pm said:
  
  See you’re a nana from way back Yvette 😉
  
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Kate on January 24, 2011 at 9:40 pm said:

Love, love, love a bit of Nana yarny action. All day I look forward to that time when the girls are in bed and I can knit/hook up a storm. Oh what fun!

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on January 25, 2011 at 1:29 pm said:
  
  I do like the rhythm that I find myself falling into, kind of like meditation. One day when I grow up maybe I’ll be able to knit and crochet like you!
  
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Choclette on January 26, 2011 at 7:51 am said:

Knitting I always thought was easy – I knew how to do it. Crochet was hard – I didn’t. Eventually learnt, though have now forgotten, but I so love your present ribbon I might just have to remember how.

BTW, did I let you know that I used your chocolate wrapper idea to wrap Christmas presents this year. It was a great success – thank you.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on January 26, 2011 at 8:20 am said:
  
  awesome. Glad the chocolate wrappers worked out for you! Now you just need to team it up with some crochet ribbon.
  It is something I know I will forget if I don’t keep doing it regularly.
  
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spiceandmore on January 29, 2011 at 10:33 am said:

Ok if you are going down the path of crocheted toilet roll holders, can you please make one of those really huge, elaborate ones…one that looks like a doll perhaps with large petticoats…?!
Seriously though, good on you for taking this up as a hobby. I am sure the recipients of your sweet little bags of goodies really loved the fact that you had made them. And if you do get around to making dishcloths, can I put in my order? 🙂 I am intruigued to read the comments about them.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on January 30, 2011 at 9:09 am said:
  
  crocheted toilet roll holders, of course! I was looking at a flat once to buy and every inch of the place was crocheted, including lady with petticoats toilet roll holder- (1.5 foot tall), toilet seat, toilet mat…
  
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