Celeste's Journey to Learn How to Crochet by CELESTE SMITH

1/26/24

celestesmith2 — 2024-02-10 04:11:38 UTC

Learning Project Introduction

2/9/24

celestesmith2 — 2024-02-10 04:14:56 UTC

Unpacking Kit and reviewing lesson tutorials

2/11/24

celestesmith2 — 2024-02-12 05:13:21 UTC

Completed 54 stitches

Holding hook and yarn

celestesmith2 — 2024-02-12 05:14:28 UTC

single stitch

celestesmith2 — 2024-02-12 05:16:06 UTC

increase stitch

celestesmith2 — 2024-02-12 05:16:30 UTC

2/11/24

celestesmith2 — 2024-02-12 05:18:59 UTC

One struggle I am having is stitch tightness. Stitches that look appropriately spaced are difficult to move the needle through in future steps but looser stitches leave gaps in the design. I completed 3 sections totaling 54 stitches. While I believe I got a uniform method as I proceeded there was still difficulty in finding the perfect spacing

celestesmith2 — 2024-02-12 05:19:59 UTC

Dinomite

2/17 Increase stitch failures

celestesmith2 — 2024-02-18 18:38:37 UTC

Tonight I struggled a lot with the increase stitch. I went back and watch the tutorial multiple times and pulled out rows of stitches at least 8 times. It was extremely frustrating but finally got close enough to move on.

decrease stitch

celestesmith2 — 2024-02-18 18:40:35 UTC

celestesmith2 — 2024-02-18 18:42:56 UTC

Completed 170 additional stitches - total 224

2/18 Progress

celestesmith2 — 2024-02-18 18:49:01 UTC

I learned a new stitch today the decrease stitch. I feel very confident in it and the single stitch. Per the instructions these are the only 3 stitches needed to complete Fred. Feeling hopeful that I am progressing and my placement seems to match up with tutorial instructions. For example when they say you should have one loop on your needle and a v to your left or some other placement direction that is what I have. The area I need growth is my stitch unevenness. You can clearly see in my design how some are larger and others smaller then others.

I also have concerns about the shape of my design while it is a bowl as the toutorial pictures suggest it isn't as wide and my ends seem to curve on the sides. Hopefully that will correct itself as the patten progresses.

celestesmith2 — 2024-02-18 18:55:15 UTC

I noticed on facebook a friend from college (when I say college I mean undergraduate over 20 years ago) is hosting a beginners crochet course which happens to coincides with my spring break. Gauging interest from my friends and I might head to OKC for a girls night to take part. I live in Stuttgart, AR so it is a bit of a trek.

March Reflections

celestesmith2 — 2024-04-11 02:36:04 UTC

I stepped away from my project to do some additional learning and skill building in March. I attended two classes related to the topic of crochet. One through my local county extension agency and then the beginners crochet class over spring break in OKC. Both were helpful to get in person instruction and knowledge related to the subject.

celestesmith2 — 2024-04-11 03:06:07 UTC

Attended in-person course at our local extension office

4/15

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-03 15:08:10 UTC

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-03 15:08:47 UTC

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-03 15:09:23 UTC

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-03 15:09:39 UTC

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-03 15:10:02 UTC

04/18

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-03 15:11:46 UTC

I feel like I am making slow progress by challenging myself to do at least one round each day. This is typically 15/30 minutes of activity for my pace.

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-03 15:12:24 UTC

April Skill review - frequently checking back on videos to confirm accuracy

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-03 15:13:51 UTC

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-03 15:14:45 UTC

4/20

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-03 15:19:13 UTC

My shape is starting to form. I think some early errors in the beginning of the process have slightly hindered the design. I can tell that I have improved and can make corrections to cover errors like add a stitch to better fit my pattern needs. This knowledge was gained from the in person classes I attended in March.

04/29 Body completed (a little distorted) Feel good about overall shape while missing some of his nose snout ( I think my early stitches were too tight)

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-03 15:22:53 UTC

4/30 slip knot for tail

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-03 15:28:01 UTC

4/28 - closing the body (used additional stitches to correct problem and end at similar spot as tutorial)

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-03 15:30:18 UTC

4/29

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-03 15:34:30 UTC

proud that the overall body design is not far from the exemplar design. I can now see where I made mistakes early on unfortunately because this pattern works upside down those are easier to see since they make up the head piece. Bottom section of the body has more clean and even stitches representing my improved ability.

05/1 tail

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-06 05:39:38 UTC

Struggled with the tail and had to pause. Worked on the spikes which are a similar skill but on a smaller level

5/1 Chain loop

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-06 05:49:55 UTC

5/2 - The arms consisted of a chain loop. I think they look pretty cute. I think since he is a dino I should have placed arms closer together but was following the pattern instructions.

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-06 05:55:48 UTC

05/3 - 5 spikes, helped learn how to make a circle loop. Spikes improved as I processed, should have attached after all complete and not put first one at the top.

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-06 05:57:57 UTC

5/5 Body completed

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-06 05:59:02 UTC

5/5 Dino complete - Added a smile

celestesmith2 — 2024-05-06 06:07:16 UTC

I learned a lot of lessons in this process. One regret is not starting with the Beginner kit. This kit was beginner plus because at the time there wasn't any beginners available. One thing with crochet is that is hard if not impossible to go back and correct mistakes. I feel my skills greatly improved throughout the project but had issues with adding some of the final pieces like the spikes because of past (early) mistakes. I do think this is a skill I will continue and am eager to test out another design to see if my skills can translate and if the overall design is better since I will be starting with some background knowledge. This project has also given me a huge amount of respect for pattern designers. I am so impressed by those who can envision something and then mathematically put the steps together to create a unique design. While this project was challenging and frustrating at times it was a good lesson and important creative outlet.