I have tried to learn (or rather teach myself) to crochet at least 4 times, including last year... but never managed. Last year it started to take shape but then I abandoned it. Now I got some lovely lacey patterns from freelady, and tried them but somehow they didn't look as good as I hoped. So I thought I would do some more practice before doing them.

I took out the practice pieces I made last year, added a few lines where needed to make them the same size, (the upper row + the shell pattern) and I have made a few new ones: the wavy pattern and some granny squares. So far so good - there are some mistakes in them but not too big ones. I hope to make enough for a small afghan, using the yarn leftovers I have, and hopefully I will learn enough to make more complicacted ones.
I am using tutorials on the internet, and videos on Youtube.

Those are very good, Agi! I can knit, but not crochet. I've tried teaching myself and having others teach me, but I just can't do it.

Very nice!! You are coming along very nicely. It's been years since I've crocheted--may need to get out some of my crochet hooks and get back into it soon!! Keep up the great work

great start on them My gran could crochet & I wish she could have shown me how I'm knitting at moment but wish I could crochet too & make some baby shawls

I'm with you, useless at crochet no matter how many times I try and learn.

Those look great to me Agi!

Excellent stuff! A new craft skill is always a plus.

I've tried, can get so far, but not as far as I'd like.

Looks like you're really getting on well Agi, well done!

Good work Agi, they'll make a lovely personal afghan!

I'm glad you're back at it. Once you get the hang of it things will be much easier. The hardest part is reading the instructions for me, but I love to crochet. I find it very relaxing.

You can imagine then how difficult it is for me, reading all those abbreviations - first I have to decipher them, then translate... although I cannot translate because I have no idea what the stitches are called in Hungarian, so I just translate the words to the movements... if that makes sense.

I am getting along now, enjoying it a lot, very relaxing - especially since I don't care about a mistake or two, these are just practice pieces, afer all.

Keep up the good work. Practise makes perfect.

Those are looking great Agi and you are so right about a mistake or two. You have to make mistakes once in a while just so you know what you did wrong. Keep it up you will be good in no time.

Wow very good work there. I want to do crochet but I can't quite pick it up. I have a starter kit from DMC, I get it out from time to time to give it another go but it doesnt look right. I'm definitely going to have another go though after seeing your good work.
Does anyone have any tips?

Oh, I am all excited now. A whole new world has opened up in front of me

Lookie, what I made:



What is more, I took out my thin crochet thread, and my thinnest hook and made this:



I love it, although I think it is not perfect. At least, it doesn't look like the photo in the pattern.

Can someone tell my what I am doing wrong? Do I crochet too lose? I am afraid to make it tighter, I fear that I won' be able to push the hook in the stitches if they are tighter. Or do I need a different size of hook? Actually, I felt that my hook was too small for this thread, but then a bigger hook would make it even more lose, woudn't it?

Can't help with any crochet advise Agi, but I am impressed with how well you're doing!

They look lovely to me Agi. My mum does tight, if my hands could cope with it I would prefer to do loose. And I always find they shrink and tighten up in the wash.

They are both so pretty, Agi! Are you going to make an afghan someday?

I love the one with the pink middle. You are doing very well here. Crochet can be a pig to learn but is so worth the effort.

The round one looks fine. The tension is okay, it's like cross stitch, a personal thing. The patterns say what it should be, but really it is a guideline as far as I'm concerned. As long as you keep the tension even..... and count and re-count as you go along. Every time I pick up my work I 'eyeball' to see that I've not miscounted anywhere the last time I stitched. I find that my mind wanders and I make too few or too many stitches and have to undo it and do it over (sound like xs to you?)

Anyway well done on a new craft.

Wow Agi I am really impressed with your work and its making me want to learn to crochet too. I'll get my kit back out today and practise!
I love your second photo, really nice piece of work - you're going to be an expert who rolls out gorgeous pieces in no time! Well done

What great work. I've been looking at taking a crochet or knitting class but I still have to decide and wait for the next scheduled class.
Great work