At the beginning of each year I’m motivated to try something new. I get into creative habits and usually stick to my favorite crafts. I love to make quilt tops, sew small projects, and I really enjoy restoring furniture (I have a tv stand that I’ll be sharing soon!).
I’m also a huge chicken when it comes to certain crafts.
I’m. afraid. to. crochet.
There I said it. Between the “Captain Hook” tool and the many different stitches & techniques…it intimidates me like no other.
I feel like I’m missing out though. Check out all of the amazing crochet projects you can create like these adorable baby items…
Crochet Ruffles & Dots Baby Blanket
…or these dishcloths! I remember a lady making me a couple of these when I was first married. I’m not going to lie, I thought they looked “old-fashioned” and I almost didn’t keep them. Well, I tried them one day when I was cleaning my kitchen…and in my opinion they are the best dishcloths ever! I need to make some ASAP!
I also want to create hair accessories and fun crochet flowers and knots for my girls…
The Knotted Headband Tutorial…and I think this beauty motivates me the most.
![chevron crochet blanket tutorial[13]](jpg/chevron-crochet-blanket-tutorial136.jpg "chevron crochet blanket tutorial[13]"){kind=icon}
I realize I need to start small and work my way up and that’s why I’m attending crochet school…
The talented Dana Beach over at Crafty Minx has created a whole series of lessons from the very beginning (she also tells you the difference between knitting and crocheting-yes, I barely learned a few years ago what the difference was!) and takes you through many different techniques in the crochet world giving you assignments along the way!
Ooh! Fantastic goal! I set up one for myself as well. I want to sew a couple of key pieces for myself and my children this year. I just seriously started sewing last year (how weird to say that and mean 2011) and now I want to fine tune it enough where I’m not embarrassed to wear what I make. Here’s to our success!
I’ve been dying to learn how to sew. I have an old vintage table machine my mom gave me (that I just wanted because I love vintage stuff)that needs the electrical cords replaced, but I want a new one to learn on. i read sewing blogs all the time with growing jealousy, it’s about time I figured it out for myself! 🙂
Ok, I have always wanted to learn how to crochet but I am so scared! It looks so complicated! Lol! I think I’m going to have to try it now because let’s be honest: that chevron blanket is ama-zing! 🙂 Thank you for sharing the link to Crochet School! I’m excited (and nervous) to give it a try! 🙂
I just started crocheting and I LOVE it… Start with dishcloths first then go from there …:) Have fun.
So happy for you! I’m going to be teaching some other bloggers this year! You should come join us for a crochet craft day! The chevron pattern is super easy, you’ll totally be able to do it!
Thanks for the feature on my shoes!
Last year, i found a web site “hook and needles” and by weatching the videos I learned how to crochet. I never laid a hand on hooks before and it turns out that it’s a great opportunity to spend time whie being creative. This year i am interested in knooking.. I’ll do my research on knooking later on but my resolution for 2012 is to create a blanket with knooking..
I knit (not well…I can make scarves and hats) and I want to learn how to crochet too…but I really want to quilt! Happy New Year!
Okay, this isn’t crafty, but it’s definitely out of my comfort zone: I want to learn to paddle on a dragon boat. My step-mom is seriously into it (like she’s been to the world championships a few times) and although I rowed crew in college, it seems scary-foreign to me.
Hey, You will really enjoy crocheting. I tried to learn from the internet a few years ago and then ended up taking a class that our YMCA offered. We made a hat & scarf for our first project and a basic granny square afghan for the second project. I loved it! I make my own dishclothes now and won’t ever go back to store bought. I still consider myself a beginner at this skill and I really should try to do other things and get out of my comfort zone with crocheting. So many things I could make. This year I will improve my crocheting skills and also my very bad sewing skills. Have fun crocheting 🙂
I’m trying to learn how to crochet as well. I’ve wanted to for a while and decided now is as good a time as any! Thanks for the link to the lessons. I’ll take any help I can get! Good Luck!
So fun!! Thank you for posting this. I put the button for the class on my blog and I’m going to take the challenge – Off to school in 2012!!
What a fun goal, and a fun online class! I admire your motivation! My goal is to learn how to use my new Silhouette Cameo, and Photoshop. 🙂
Yay! I’m so happy for you! You are going to love it! Note: It will feel majorly awkward at first, but just keep going, it’ll get easier!!
WooHoo! I get so excited when I see someone learning to do what I most enjoy! 🙂
Have Fun, and good luck!
Grace Ann
WouldYouLikeYarnWithThat.blogspot.com
Dude. You will be shocked at how easy it is to pick up. For real. Good luck!
you know, this might sound arrogant coming out, I don’t mean it to be. I’m “kind of” good at a lot of things. I want to get “really good” at them before I add a new skill, so this year I’m focusing on improvement over new.
Learning to Crochet was my new “skill” goal for 2012! I’m so glad you posted this. Now it feels like it’s a little more do-able. 🙂
I was terrified to try crochet. I said I would never try, but all the super cute little girl stuff made it necessary. It was slow going and rough at first, but I was amazed at how quickly I was able to pick it up. Now, a few years later, I have been teaching crochet to a few neighborhood ladies and little girls. YOU CAN DO IT!!!
I recommend starting with smaller projects like hats. They have easier repetitive patterns and are fast to finish (making you feel much more confident in yourself). Best of luck. Maybe I’ll have to knuckle down and try knitting now?….
i’m so in. last time i tried crocheting an infinity scarf…it ended up all twirled and curled and was a hot mess….so don’t expect a lot from me. lol.
Yay! You are gonna love crochet, and will be making little amigurumi dolls before you know it! I actually just started making a ripple afghan for the new baby, and you’ll be amazed how simple the pattern is after you “get it”. Be sure to check out Ravelry.com if you haven’t already. Good Luck!
I’m a graduate of Craftyminx crochet school and I HIGHLY recommend it! Her videos are awesome. I tried learning from other online videos but hers were much better. She takes her time to make sure you are learning correctly. I just finished my first scarf and I couldn’t be happier! Best wishes in learning your new skill 🙂
You’ll enjoy your crocheting adventure. I’m going to make my first quilt this year and have signed up for my first QAL…
I’m so glad you are going to learn crochet this year and share more tutorials on it! I love to crochet, but I do feel sometimes it gets the “old” rap. And crocheted cloths really are the best in the kitchen! 🙂 Thanks, Kari!
Just what I was looking for! I have always wanted to learn how to crochet, and I will try again now! Thanks for the inspiration!
Crochetting is my goal too. My grandma taught me to crochet years ago but I have not done it in so long. I almostpicked up the stuff to get started again at Hobby Lobby the other day. I willhave tocheck out her class. Good Luck
You’ll love crocheting. I just learned last winter and I have made doilies, dish cloths and Barbie doll clothes. You’ll pick it up very quickly. Happy New Year!
I love that blanket. Mustn’t…pick up…another…hobby. No room in the house for more crafty supply collections. 😉
I love crochet. My goal this year is to make a granny square blanket. I love the bright crazy colors of them.
Here’s to reaching goals!
xoxo,
Amy
my mom…the crocheter in the family…comes down twice a year. She always brings a ton of wash cloths!!! They r gone in seconds!!!!! Lil trick…my daughter was teething in the summer….i would wet the washcloths and freeze them. She would go crazy with them, just enough texture for those lil gums!!!
You all have no idea how much fun it is to hear the excitement about crocheting! Makes me even more motivated!
Jordon, here’s a little secret…you will LOVE tomorrow’s post!
This is my exact same goal for the year and I have saved these crochet lesson already. I have already completed lesson 1 (wahoo!) Good luck I know we will both need it 🙂
I have been afraid of that skill too! My grandma tried to teach me a long, long time ago, and since I never mastered it I never went back! I just might have to try the class as well! Thanks!
I have to tell you that the knotted headband you have pictured is THE project that got me into crochet last July. I made it…but then I felt like I needed to know more. So I taught myself how to crochet via video tutorials on youtube. I’m also a big fan of Craftyminx’s Crochet School and link to it on my blog. She’s amazing. Good luck! I look forward to seeing much crocheted goodness from you soon. 🙂
I am going to learn how to knit lace. I crochet, knit, sew, tat, etc, etc, etc, but I just don’t understand the knitted lace directions. Fortunately I have a neighbor who knits doilies (they are way beautiful, like the crochet and tatted ones). So I will be advancing an already known skill to a new level.
I’m so excited for you! Crochet is the best. And so easy. My goal this year is to learn tatting. I have all the supplies for it I just need to sit down and figure it out!
Perfect timing! I can crochet to save my life, but not very well. This is EXACTLY what I need because there are so many cute crocheted things I want to make for the upcoming baby.
Thanks so much for the link!
Oh my goodness! I just blogged about how I was going to learn how to sew in 2012! I’ve always been terrified of sewing (because of my inability) and after my grandma gifted me a machine, I’m determined to try.
I look forward to your adventures as well!
WHOOHOOOO!!! I have been pinning Crohet tutorials and ideas for the past few months hopeing to learn how to do it!! No better time then the present to start….I’m signing up and heading to get supplies!! Thanks Girl… this is why I love your blog!!
I love to crochet and you are right those dishcloths are amazing! No new skills for me this year though. I want to focus on my knitting and getting better and faster. At some point I want to learn how to do stained glass.
You’ve got my support 100%. Let’s have a crochet night!
I want to learn to use my Cricut to it’s most advantage, use some of my fast crafting supplies and make items for craft fairs next holiday season.
Thank you so much for sharing crochet school!
I want to learn to crochet too. I already had that link saved for Crochet School and I’m so glad you reminded me about it! Can I put the New Year New Skill button on my blog? 🙂
You need dishcloths? They’re a great first project. They’re simple – just a square, and the great thing is, if they don’t look that great – who cares! They’re just dishcloths. Just make sure to use cotton yarn for absorbancy.
I have a couple of crafting goals this year. One is to try fair isle knitting. I knit, but still consider myself a beginner so this is a stretch for me.
The other goal is to sew. Something. I think my fear of sewing ranks up there with your fear of crochet. Plus, it seems when I’ve tried, 95% of the time I end up with a tangled mess in the bobbin. Maybe I should take the machine in for a tune-up before I try again.
I am so glad you posted this site. I have been wanting to learn to crochet and this looks like the perfect way for me to learn. I just read the intro. Thanks!
Don’t be afraid! You’re so talented, as it is! If you EVER need any help or advice, I’m there for you! You can email me at SugarMamaShop@gmail.com. My facebook page is http://www.Facebook.com/SugarMamasSweetBowtique, and my website is http://www.SugarMamasSweetBowtique.com. Stop by and see me sometime! <3
Thank you so much for this information and best of luck to you on this adventure! My girlfriends and I have been talking about learning crochet this year, so this is perfect timing for me. I just joined the Craftyminx Crochet School as well, so we are classmates! Happy New Year!