Crochet Benefits

I learned to tie knots in string when I was a teenager but re-learning the art of crochet was twice the fun! It is soothing to hold the hook and feel the yarn slide between your fingers and immense joy to see something you have created!

If you are trying to re learn crochet or learn it for the first time the most important thng to remember is you are not on a time clock! No one is going to come to you and demote you for not meeting your quota! If you are not pleased with the results, take it out, roll the ball of yarn back up and start again. Crochet is very forgiving, keep making those stiches until you are happy with it.

The best part about crochet in general is practice doesn't take an enormous amount of practice time! Working the stitches a few times is usually all it takes and you will have it conquered! Plus, the crochet stitches themselves are built on one another; in other words, the single crochet is seen in the double, the double in the treble, etc.

There are so many free crochet patterns out there now you are hampered only by the amount of paper and ink in your printer! On top of that there are many talented fiber artists with their own blogs! Many of them are right here on HubPages! You can spend free time just perusing all the wonderful things to create.

When it does come time to think, what shall I crochet, pick a category and go through as many patterns as you need and choose one that is right for you. If you are relatively new, or relatively rusty, try something with only a few stitiches and a pattern that is easy to follow or memorize.

That does not mean you should only work a potholder or a dishcloth to start, although those are wonderful patterns to work at any time and make wonderful gifts as well. You can easily make accessories or wearable art so don't be intimidated by the size or the shape.

Working a shawl is one of the most meditative ways to spend your crochet time. Ministries all ove the world use shawl crochet as a way to build prayer energy into the works they are creating and that energy is passed along to the recipient of the shawl! What a joyful message that is; to be able to hand someone a piece of crochet work and say "We made this for you and it is full of prayers for you!" Sometimes one person completes the prayer shawl, sometimes everyone in the group spends time working the stitches.

One of the best things is finding that patterns from over a hundred years ago are still available today! So you can work a shawl pattern from the early 1900's and make it your own!

Shawls come in all shapes and sizes, from a capelet that only goes over your shoulders, to a massive triangular shawl whose tip touches the ground behind you! You are limited by nothing, really, other than your yarn supply! Time doesn't count, remember, there is no quota here!

The best known sites for shawl patterns are Allcrochet, Ravelry and Crochet Pattern Central. For vintage crochet patterns try Free Vinatage Crochet and Antique Crochet Patterns sites. Both of these have gorgeous shawl patterns as well as other types of patterns.

Regardless of whether you crochet a shawl or any other pattern the best thing about crochet is that the time you spend in this soothing art is so fullfilling and enjoyable. Just choose your hook and yarn and start tying those knots in your string! You will have such a good time!