Rekindling her love of creativity
IN Craft Creations this week we are going crazy for crochet, as Sally Owen from Penysarn explains how she got hooked on her hobby.
“In January 2015 I decided not to make any rash New Year’s Resolutions, instead, I vowed to learn a new skill.
“Many years ago I had mastered a few basic knitting stitches whilst I was studyingg Fashion and Textile Design at City of Birmingham Polytechnic,, but now, the idea of cro- chet was becoming moree attractive to me.
“I purchased the basicc tools, a medium gauge hook and a ball of yarn, and as I am the type of f person who learns better r from a visual aid, I went hunting for crochet tutorials on the internet, and I’ve not looked back!
“At first, just chaining a length of stitches can be quite a challenge and I was all fingers and thumbs whilst trying to keep some tension on the yarn, hold the hook and the emerging piece of crochet.
“I think if you can get past this often tricky and clumsy stage you will be ‘hooked for life’ (pardon the pun!)
“Mostly, my crochet items are made up of granny squares which I will then either sew or crochet together to form blankets, scarves, cushions etc. There are hundreds of different patterns for squares, with varying skill levels. The beauty, I find, is the ease with which you can complete one and put it away if you are limited for time. “My favourite recent project is an Ombré blanket, with squares using various shades of the same coloour. This blanket was the perfect way to use up my collection of oddments of yarn and create something both beautiful and ppractical .
“Taking up crochet has not only given me the ability to make more personal gifts for family and friends, but it has also rekindled my creative side from way back in my student days and given me enormous pleasure.”
You can see more of Sally’s creations on her Facebook page called Blackbird Cottage Crafts.
Sally will be joining fellow crafters on Friday, November 4, for a Craft Fair in Penysarn Village Hall from 5pm to 7pm. Admission free. Profits from the table hire go into the fund for the upkeep of the hall.