Making Something New vs. Learning Something New in Crochet

  I want to take a moment and comment on a trend I've been noticing lately. A lot of crocheters seem to just want to 'make' something, as oppose to actually 'learning something. As a crochet instructor, I'm always get asked some of the most basic things in a pattern, only to get asked the same things in another pattern.

  People, what do you think all those books on stitches and techniques are for? To make you look like you know what you're doing? Now, don't get me wrong, I can understand some things that the average crocheter may not run across in a pattern, but sometimes one has to be realilstic about one's skill level!!

  Just you see something you like, doesn't mean you have the skills to do it. And, you should expect the pattern to help you.

  My point is if we as crocheters need and want people to respect us for out craft, then we need to step up with our skills (yes, that means more than knowing how to make things like sc, dc, etc)

Let's not get lazy....we have so many resources to get information than ever before.

But here's the key thing, the best way to learn is by repetition, and/or by teaching someone else. Respect is earned, and if you want to do the more challenging stuff, you have to do your homework, and be prepared. The pattern was not intended to teach you how follow it, your behind should either already know how, and/or, take/check old notes, ask someone, looking it up.

It seems nowadays, people just go from one pattern to the next, never taking the time to take notes, or, concentrate on specific new things they found in the pattern, like a different stitch they've never done before, or, learning a new or different abbreviation and technique.

What you find in one pattern, can help you down the line in a future pattern, that may have something similar in it.

 Now with regard to video, I don't think it's a bad thing. Some stitches and stitch patterns are hard to visualize (hey, trust me, I'm 'old school, I didn't have the luxury of seeing how a new stitch/pattern was made, and being able to review it over, and over again). I also didn't have anyone around to ask for help to learning at a experience level......and being a Black guy in a Black neighborhood, didn't help much either....but I digress.

  Well, that's my 2 cents on the matter.

Unfortuately, Some things Never Change

  Well, its a new year and I've been living in my new apartment for about 6 months. I do like it, it's what I've wanted for a long time, long before I hurt my feet and had to leave my larger apartment. Part of the problem was that with my stage(3) of diabetes, I lack the energy. The other thing, I don't have any friends that could help (most of them have either died of AIDS, or we just drifted part, and, not being close to my family, I just didn't like the idea of asking them for help, some of them can be condescending to me (unconsciously, I guess).

  I've lived there for at 30 years, and in that time, I only had a visit from one brother (out of three). But let me say this, my oldest brother will come by if I only need some help, but that's about it. I rarely talk to them on the phone, just to say hi.

  For my part, I've come to accept it, and not make a big deal about it.  They sometimes try to make a issue of it, but never follow though. It's just that we'll never be close. Fine.

 Since living alone for about 37 years, I've adapted a lifestyle that may seem strange to some, enforcing the 'rules' in my place, just trying to have a quiet, content life.

  All I do is crochet, use the computer, and watch TV...that's it. Being on disability, living on a low income, I try to keep my life simple. I know, understand, that in regards to both my health and income, they won't get any better. I only have that and my property (which, during being moved out, I have 'less' of.)


  My only regret is how my family perceives me. But, sadly, that will never change.