I belong to a great Etsy group – the Etsyblogger Street Team. Once a month, we get to write about a particular subject that the host has come up with. The host actually comes up with 2 subjects and I’ve picked the one I want to write about.

Where, when or who did you learn your handmade craft from?

Of all the items in my handmade shop, I items that I have sewed and items that I have crocheted. Sewing I learned in high school – you remember that class – home economics?

But I really want to talk about my crocheting. Crocheting is not something I would have taught myself. What with being in school and babysitting a lot (as a teen) I wouldn’t have had time to try and teach myself any needlework. So Mom comes to the rescue. I don’t remember what I made the first time that I crocheted, but I’m sure it was something like a granny square. What a great way to teach your daughter or son the craft of making something with your hands and yarn.

Now I have crocheted for as long as I can remember. And I’ve taught my daughters how to crochet as well. Whether they are doing anything with it or not – the craft was passed on.

My earliest memory of crocheting after that were stuffed toys for babies. By that time, I had gotten married, had a child and we were living overseas. That would have been something for me to do, when I was idle. And believe me I was. Not working for a change, I had time to crochet, sew and horseback ride! Forget the horse – I actually have a picture (from a 35mm camera) of my 2 daughters wearing identical dresses that I made. Over the years, I made them more clothes and myself clothes for work.

Sorry I got sidetracked – but after I mentioned the dresses I made for my daughters – I went to find the picture…

and then of course, I got wrapped up in looking at other old photos

Whoa – I thought I was supposed to write about crocheting… ok, I have an afghan that I made years ago – using different large granny squares – and we still use it. I have several other afghans that I made over the years that are now in the possession of my children – actually how many afghans can you use at one time?

Crocheting is very relaxing for me – I can sit while dh is watching tv and my fingers fairly fly! Of course one of the things I do with my crocheting is making bowls that I can felt! Couldn’t resist showing you one of my bowls!

I am so grateful to my Mom for teaching me to crochet. I think she also tried to teach me to knit – but that didn’t take! Oh well, you can’t be expected to do everything.

Sandi