A Yarn of a Girl

A long time ago, in a 4-H office far, far away a little girl learned how to crochet.

I still remember struggling to get my pink (of course!) yarn to glide around my hook the way the instructor showed me.  Eventually, I managed to produce a workable chain and even the basic single stitch.  It took me almost a week to complete that pink potholder.  It wasn't quite a square and it wasn't quite anything else, but I finished it and got a red ribbon at the county fair.  But, to use a (really) bad pun, I was hooked.  I got books out of the library and had the opportunity to observe a family friend--one of the moms at our homeschool co-op--work magic with a hook and yarn.  As a kid I mostly made baby blankets, pot holders, doll clothes, and a handful of (basic) doilies.  I improved drastically from that first pink potholder.  I even won a couple of trophies.  (I think they are still on a shelf in my (pink) childhood bedroom).  Then I went away for college and got super busy working.  That pretty effectively put a damper on my crocheting time.    I started a handful of projects, but only a couple ever got completed.


Fast forward a number of years to now . . . I am (almost) all grown up, my husband only has a dissertation standing between him and his doctorate, I have a little girl of my own, and once again have a little time on my hands.  (In the midst of the craziness that comes from having a toddler!)  I found one of my old hooks (strangely enough, the only one of my old set I could find was pink!).  I found a couple of half-finished projects and began finishing them.  Once again, I was hooked.

Crocheted Lemon Ruffle Scarf
Currently for sale in my Etsy shop.

It took a couple of projects to get my skills back, but I think I found them.  I received a high quality set of hooks for my birthday and lucked into a couple of really good yarn sales.

Here is my craft fair display after I sold a potholder,
four scarves, and  a handful of cards.

In November, I happened across a notice about a local craft fair and halfheartedly thought about renting a space.  I put the notice in a pile and forgot about it until the week of the fair.  I emailed the contact person and at first it looked like I was too late, but the Wednesday before she emailed me and said there was a cancellation and if I wanted I could participate.  That Friday night before the fair, and the morning of, I was so nervous!  I had never sold any of my things before, would anyone even be interested in what I had for sale?  It would be a shame if I didn't make my deposit back, or even worse, what if none of my items sold?  All my worrying was for naught, as I sold much more than I ever hoped I would.  It was so much fun!


My success there led me to start an Etsy shop, Scarves, Cards, and More.  I also have a Facebook page; (I think I figured out how to add a like button.  It should be to the right of this post.  I'd love it if you "liked" me!)


I am really enjoying learning my craft again.  It is so fascinating to turn a ball of yarn into something usable.  Between the local library and the plethora of internet sources I have hundreds of ideas that I can't wait to try!