Introduction

For the past four years I have been one of the older students at IUPUI (Indiana/Purdue Univ) at Indianapolis.  At the age of 50, I went back to school to get my teaching degree. I carried a full time class load and worked part time jobs (sometimes double shifts, sometimes two part time jobs at the same time) during the school year.

But during the summer ..... that was "me" time.  I dug my crochet needles, threads and yarns out of storage and crocheted away!

I learned to crochet when I was seven years old.  My mom, who had learned from her mom, taught my six year old sister and I in one afternoon.  We also learned on thread.  At the end of my school year in second grade, I had become an entrepreneur, selling small doilies for fifty cents to my classmates as Mother's Day gifts.  I didn't crochet anything with yarn until I was in my mid-twenties and made my first afghan.  Until then, I had only crocheted doilies and jewelry, using thread.

As I became exposed to other crocheters, I came to appreciate how lucky I was that I was taught on thread.  I encountered many crocheters who, when trying to make the transition from yarn to thread, had a terrible time working with "that tiny stuff!"  It was hard for them.  And frustrating.  My experience in going from thread to yarn was a no brainer.  I couldn't believe how simple it was and I had to work to understand why going from yarn to thread would be so hard for some.  (I had the same experience in my wedding cake world.  I learned to make cakes with buttercream so going to fondant .... which I think of as "edible playdough" .... was SO easy.  I heard many cakers, who learned with fondant, how hard it was to switch to buttercream.)

The lesson here?  Always start with the hardest project!!

Debi Stringing Beads

I'm a pretty fast crafter.  (I also speed read and speed-type).  So during the summer, I really pump out the projects.  Every new baby gets an afghan.  I began adding beads and new stitches to my crafting resume.  I was a gramma and was in the era of discovery of new and fun things!!

I soon discovered that I was making things faster than I could find homes for them. Fortunately, I have a sister-in-law who operates an S.O.S. (Senior Opportunity Services) store in my hometown of Richmond, Indiana.  This consignment shop takes in hand-made craft items from the senior ladies in the area, giving them an outlet for their crafts.  Sales from this store benefit the local Salvation Army.  Not only does the store allow crafters to make a little money on the side, but more important, our items benefit a great organization.

Here is the link to the Richmond S.O.S. store:  http://www.sos-richmond.com/ .  It is located in the historic district in town.  I remember going to this shop when it was a grocery store when I was just a kid.  It is a vital piece of historical architecture in town.  (And as a history teacher, historical architecture is a big interest of mine!)

I make no claims to be an expert or professional in any way. Just a gramma who loves to crochet and share ideas with others.  I've been told I hold my crochet hook "funny", but it works for me!  I've tried to hold it like I see others in videos and to be honest I have to ask, "How do you folks DO that?"  I feel like one of those folks in the $19.95 commercials who are too clumsy to hold a screwdriver!  (LOL!)  So whatever the 'right' way is to hold a needle, I do it the comfortable way!

I began teaching my granddaughter to crochet last summer.  If she keeps it up, she will be at least a fourth generation crocheter in my family.

Let's not let the art die.  Let's keep it going!


I hope you enjoy the ramblings of this crocheting gramma!




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