Monday, March 12, 2007

Good afternoon, class

On Saturday I spent a very pleasant afternoon teaching a couple of friends, Snoozen and Miss F, to crochet. Or at least, a pleasant afternoon, punctuated regularly with the "f" word, trying to teach them how to crochet (I don't think I'm a very good teacher - not particularly patient!).
After a whole afternoon (interspersed with various cakes and other sweeties and several cups of tea), this is our progress:
Snoozen
Miss F
What it is supposed to look like (just for comparison's sake!) - a couple of rows of double crochet (single crochet for our US friends). Just the basics. Miss F (the owner of most, if not all, of the "f" words) has even done some at home since - determined to get it!

Teaching others how to do something that, after 20 years, is second nature to you, is really quite hard. I found myself really watching exactly how I did each step and trying to explain it in a way that makes sense to people who have no idea what a treble is or a double crochet or a chain. But I do like sharing the crafting love (both are already crafty in various ways) - always satisfying to learn a new skill. We're going to do it again soon!

5 comments:

catsmum said...

and then there's the joy of explaining to them that any directions written in the US will use the terms to mean totally different things. Oh the joy of transcontinental crochet translation!!!!
what are you going to get them to make first [ once they get past the expletive stage] ?

Anonymous said...

It was so nice of you to teach them! Can you teach me, too?? ;-)

BrownPants said...

it is fun to get new recruits isn't it! I personally think crochet is more difficult to teach than knitting, but it's a bit easier in the long run...but that's just me

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for your patience last Sunday and you were patient!!!

Despite all the cursing I really did enjoy myself and it was a delightful afternoon spent with two fab women.

I think most of the problems stem from crocheting right handed. Know I switched to my left hand things seem to be getting easier. Well, neater anyway.

Have successfully produced really long, even, neat chain stitch but am cursing (again) trying to turn around and create another row.

Miss Fi

Anonymous said...

I really must spend some time doing a spell check before I publish

... Know I switched .. should read Now I've switched.

I'm just incredibly slack really