Posted by admin | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on 22-09-2011
Tags: afghan, afghanistan, girl, girl afghan names, girl afghan national geographic, girl afghan nose cut off, girl afghanistan, girl afghanistan cut off nose, photography, photos
Learn to Crochet and Knit – Keys to Success From an Easily Distracted Student
I decided to learn to crochet in college. Crazy way for a college student to spend free time? Definitely. I assure you that I was not as big a loser as it might make me sound though. One night, for some strange reason, I found myself on a creative kick. My mom had taught me to cross-stitch as a child but that wouldn’t do anymore. I was ready for something new and exciting.
I ended up at Wal-mart late at night (best time to go for a college student!) browsing through the craft aisles and inevitably drawn to all the cool yarns. Ok, so what to do with them? Knitting or crocheting? At the time, knitting seemed over my head and maybe even a bit “granny-ish”. Crocheting was so much… cooler. Yeah, that’s it.
So for whatever reason, I picked crocheting. I envisioned super trendy afghans and throws adorning my dorm room and great gifts to impress my fiancé’s parents. It was something that I could learn to do that could be useful in the future. I could decorate an apartment or house, clothe the children I’d one day have, and even give great cheap gifts to all my friends.
Good in theory, but I never finished my first project — an afghan. What can I say? I was an easily distracted college student. And my reason for not having finished it since college? Let’s just say I’m an equally distracted adult. But despite my early failure, I did learn to crochet and, later, I even learned to knit.
Overall, there are two big things that I’ve taken away from my experiences in learning to crochet and knit:
First – you CAN be “self-taught” with the help of a good how-to book. There are quite a few out there. Just take a trip to any store that carries craft materials and patterns. Browse through the books to find one that is most user-friendly for you. One note — don’t be alarmed if some of the books with great instructions have patterns and pictures that take you back to the 70s or 80s. (My first how-to book had some real winners — cheesy vests and sweaters with terrible color schemes — but then again, 80s fashions are back aren’t they?)
Also keep an eye out for how-to kits. I started with a kit that included several crochet hooks and tools plus additional patterns — which were much needed! Except for yarn, these kits should provide you with the basics but don’t walk away from the store yet. It’s a good idea to go ahead and buy some additional crochet hooks or knitting needles since not all sizes are included in your kit. Other tools that could come in handy are: counters, markers, stitch holders, point protectors (knitting only).
Second — it’s good to have someone who can help you. This person does not have to be a full-fledged teacher, just a “consultant” — someone you can turn to when you have questions — because, let’s face it, even the best how to knit or how to crochet book can confuse you at one time or another. In my early attempts to learn to crochet I got stuck on a particular type of stitch. No matter how many times I read the explanation I just could not make it work. It just didn’t look right.
Lucky for me, I happened to be home from college on my winter break. I also happened to have what I was working on with me at a friend’s house (not sure why — again, I promise you I wasn’t a loser!). Her mother had been crocheting for years and I took the opportunity to ask for her help. She was able to show me exactly what I needed to do. That set me straight and I’ve been crocheting just fine on my own ever since.
My knitting “consultant” was (and is) my mother. After I got my first knitting how-to book, I knew I’d have some questions. I found out that some friends wanted to learn to knit too. So we set up a “knitting night” and all learned from my mom. A good social hour and quite educational! If you’re able to find some people to do this with, I highly recommend it.
Knitting and crocheting are great pastimes. I’m no expert, but I have learned how to do both. There are some great resources out there for anyone else to do the same. Find yourself a good how-to book, and that “consultant” you can turn to when you get stuck, and you’ll be well on your way. I never did finish that college afghan but since then I have crocheted several dish clothes, a baby blanket, a girl’s sweater, and now I’m knitting another girl’s sweater. If I could pull off these projects, anyone can! So go get started! Learn to crochet, learn to knit today!
About the Author
Lorie Grant DeWorken left a career in advertising to become a stay-at-home mom. She has always wanted to be a writer. So now she is writing about anything she is even remotely interested in. To find out what other topics are crossing her mind plus more resources for knitting and crocheting – including FREE lessons, patterns, and troubleshooting – visit www.whatIwannaknow.com/knitting_crocheting .
Finding the Afghan Girl
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Hello Kitty Baby Girl & Boy ~ Crochet, Knit Afghan Pattern $4.50 |
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BEAUTIFUL GIRLS-Ween/The Afghan Wigs-KISS-Spinners-FYC $8.49 |
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Pattern to Make BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL AFGHAN ~~ Crochet Pattern $4.74 |
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HAND KNIT BABY BLANKET AFGHAN YELLOW PEACH ORANGE FOR GIRL OR BOY- NEW HAND MADE $29.99 |
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NEW BABY BLANKET AFGHAN MAUVE PURPLE AND PINK FOR GIRL – HAND KNIT HAND MADE $29.99 |
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PINK OWL BABY GIRL AFGHAN/BLANKET/THROW Handmade/Crochet *NEW* $60.00 |
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Beautiful Girls Soundtrack CD ween kiss afghan whigs neil diamond chris isaak!!! $5.92 |
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Afghans-It’s a Girl Thing-Sugar & Spice-New-Twin Size-72×84-Stripe-Hand Crochet $69.99 |
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Afghan–Bundles of Joy-It’s a Girl-Rose Bud-42×42-Hand Crochet-Stripe-Baby Afgan $18.99 |
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Afghan-Little Shortcake-Birthday Girl-6 x 6-Doll Size-Accessory-Hand Crochet-Tie $1.99 |
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New Handcrafted Baby Girl Purple Yellow Super Soft Knit Crochet Afghan Blanket $23.75 |
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National Geographic 4-2002 Afghan Girl Tibetans Lions Muskoxen Lewis Clark China $6.99 |
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The Story of My Life: An Afghan Girl on the Other Side $3.99 |
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McCall’s 7323 Girls Afghan Jacket Vest Wrap Skirt in two lengths Size 8 10 $3.99 |
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McCall’s 7323 Girls Afghan Jacket Vest Wrap Skirt in two lengths Size 7 $3.99 |
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Lilac HEARTS Afghan Fleece BLANKET THROW Girls baby $21.99 |
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NG Afghan Refugee Girl W/Haunted eyes June 1985 Vol. 167, NO. 6 $9.99 |
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Baby Girls Blanket Afghan Handmade Crochet Pink Orange 38X38* $82.98 |
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Lot of 4 Crochet Books PURSES SASSY GIRLS QUICK STITCH AFGHANS ROMANTIC FASHION $3.00 |
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Signed 1st Ed AFGHAN GIRL OTHER SIDE SKY Farah Ahmedi $24.95 |
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CROCHET BABY AFGHAN BLANKET handmade SAN DIEGO girl variegated lion brand yarn $43.00 |
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SHEETS/AFGHAN FOR AMERICAN GIRL DOLL BED SAMANTHA MIA $18.00 |
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Hand Crocheted White & Pastel Multi GIRLS BABY AFGHAN BLANKET BEANIE HAT CAP SET $22.95 |
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Diamonds Are Girl’s Best Crochet Afghan Pattern Annie’s $2.54 |
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Reader’s Digest CANADA 8/03 ATOM EGOYAN. ELVIS PRESLEY. AFGHAN GIRLS $5.49 |
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Afghan Kuchi Clothing Girls Size 10 Kids $39.99 |
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AFGHAN GIRL $175.00 |
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Soft Handmade Crochet Baby Afghan Blanket White for girl boy gift $42.95 |
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GIRLS AGAINST BOYS melvins AFGHAN WHIGS gavin friday PASTELS radio birdman $0.99 |
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MOD LADYBUG Color Graph Baby Girl Afghan Pattern *EASY $4.95 |
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New Boy/Girl Tapestry Throw Blanket Afghan #156 $19.99 |
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Handmade baby crochet afghan hand made 34 X 51 boys and girls blanket $21.00 |
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National Geographic April 2002 AFGHAN GIRL 17 years later $5.99 |
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National Geographic famous “Afghan girl” edition June 1985 MINT CONDITION $20.00 |
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The Story of My Life: An Afghan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky by Mir… $0.50 |
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National Geographic Afghan Refugee’s Story – AFGHAN GIRL June1985 & 2002 $11.99 |
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7B CROCHET PATTERNS FOR: Baby Girl Sweater, Booties, Bonnet & Afghan + BONUS! $1.99 |
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Baby Girl Afghan – Handmade $14.99 |
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Crochet PATTERNS Book Afghans Bedspread Edging Sweaters Girls Dress $3.99 |
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VINTAGE HAND CROCHET AFGHAN BEDSPREAD BLANKET THROW OFF WHITE LITTLE GIRL FLOWER $19.77 |
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DIAMONDS ARE A GIRLS BEST FRIEND Annies Crochet Quilt & Afghan Club PATTERN $2.29 |
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Baby Afghan Blanket Boy Girl hand crochet edge lt green $15.99 |
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Baby Afghan Blanket Boy Girl hand crochet lt. green $39.95 |
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SHARING CROCHET May 2003 AFGHANS GIRL’S DRESS PURSE NEWSBOY HAT SWEATERS RUNNER $5.99 |
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White with multi colors Baby Afghan Suitable for boy or girl baby 39″ square $7.49 |
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Beautiful Girls Sndtrk CD 1996 Kiss Afghan Whigs Mint $4.00 |
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Steve McCurry- Sharbat Gula [Afghan Girl 1984] Fine art Pyrography Woodburning $400.00 |
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The Story of My Life: An Afghan Girl on the Other Side $5.95 |
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COUNTRY GIRL MAJESTIC MOUNTAINS LANDSCAPE COWS TAPESTRY THROW AFGHAN BED BLANKET $50.00 |
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Girls crocheted baby afghan $4.99 |
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Soccer Goal Scoring Girl Throw Blanket Afghan $36.99 |
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Cross Country Running Girl Throw Blanket Afghan – Rare $39.99 |
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The Story of My Life: An Afghan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky Farah Ahmedi S $15.57 |
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New Handcrafted Baby Girl Boy Yellow Super Soft Knit Crochet Afghan Blanket $23.74 |
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POSTER === Afghan Girl – Steve Mc.Curry – Maxi === NEW $5.49 |
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Strawberry Shortcake AFGHANS for children girls CROCHET cross stitch PATTERN $18.36 |
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BRAND NEW HANDMADE BABY BLANKET AFGHAN GORGEOUS COLORS FOR A BABY GIRL $69.99 |
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The Story of My Life: An Afghan Girl by Farah Ahmedi (2005, hardcover) Signed $2.99 |
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NEW HANDMADE crocheted baby afghan blanket throw soft pink for girl 37″ x 35″ $39.99 |
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The Story of My Life: An Afghan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky by Farah Ahmed $5.95 |
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Hand knitted girl afghan Rambling Rose/Grn/Lgt Rasp $31.05 |
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Baby Shower Afghan Throw Hand Crocheted Infant Girl Blanket Spring $25.00 |
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STEVE MCCURRY Afghan Girl Photo ART POSTER PRINT 24×36 $8.99 |
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3 skeins Girlie Girl Red Heart Baby TLC yarn + free baby afghan pattern $7.00 |
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3 skeins Girlie Girl Red Heart Baby TLC yarn + free baby afghan pattern $7.00 |
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BABY BLANKET CROCHET AFGHAN THROW TURQUOISE & WHITE GIRL NEW!! $22.95 |
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LADY BUG w/FLOWERS baby girl crochet afghan pattern $4.95 |
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Baby Tapestry Throw Blanket Afghan Pink Blue Boy Girl Shower Gift $34.95 |
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NEW Cabbage Patch Kids Afghan Crochet Kit~Stenciling~My Little Girl~c.1984 USA $7.99 |
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The Story of My Life: An Afghan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky by Mir… $8.95 |
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The Story of My Life: An Afghan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky, Farah Ahmedi, $4.99 |
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Girls Pink Hand crocheted Baby Afghan $15.00 |
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Beautiful SWEET DREAMS Hand Crocheted Baby Girl Afghan Blanket in Pastel Pink $22.00 |
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Hand Crocheted Baby Girl Afghan Blanket – Beautiful Pineapple Design $24.95 |
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Crocheted Baby Afghan or Blanket is Great For a Boy or Girl Green With Pastels $16.99 |