Crocheting and decaf coffee

Today I had my second ever crocheting lesson. 

My first lesson was 4 years ago.  It took place at Borders bookstore with my friend Leah.  She attempted to teach me to crochet.  The lesson confused me ~ probably because I was taking a knitting class at Rock Valley College and pondering knit-purl.  The crochet hook and yarn created more of a knot, of sorts...and led me down a road of complete frustration.  Pretty much ~ it was 30 minutes of me knotting up yarn.  Leah and I laughed about it....then we put the hook away....and I proceeded to show her how to knit.

In the last 4 years, learning to crochet has crossed my mind.  Not in a BOY!!! I NEED TO LEARN TO CROCHET, but more of my grandma crocheted and I really want to learn her beloved craft.  You see, I have a granny square afghan she made me and it needs repaired and I am ever-so-hopeful that I can repair it so that it can be displayed.

Today I met my friend Stephanie at Starbucks.  {Note to self: Meg's Daily Grind closes at 3 p.m. on Sundays.}  Two fresh-brewed decaf coffees later and we, ummm....Stephanie was crocheting.  I, on the other hand, was mystified watching the hook loop around and twirl (not like a baton) and glide between stitches and pull through to create beautiful stitches....and then it was my turn.  I learned that like knitting ~ the more tense you are, the tighter you will crochet your stitches.  I was tense.  I wanted so badly to learn that I could not relax. Stephanie graciously swapped crochet pieces with me so I could get the feel of stitching through relaxed yarn.  It wasn't too bad.  I actually enjoyed it. 

I changed 18 or so stitches.  I learned (not mastered) the double crochet.  Stephanie shared her crochet tutorial with me. 

It's not much, but it's a start....