A New Crafty Obsession // Crochet

I was looking back at my posts and realized I haven't really blogged much. My posts are basically just tutorials. I blame it on Instagram. It's just so easy to use Instagram to share projects I'm working on and things happening in my life. Blogging seems so formal to me these days. Anyways, I really want to make more of an effort to share here.

A few years ago I decided to give crochet a try. I learned single and double crochet stitches and spent a few weeks trying to make squares, but my joints in my fingers and wrists were killing me (which is why I avoided hand sewing as well) so I gave up on crochet.

Last year after I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (apparently I never blogged about that so I will share more soon) my neurologist suggested I get ring splints to help with the severe pains I was having in my hands. One of the symptoms of EDS is hyper-mobility and dislocation. Ever since I could remember I was always really flexible but my hands were the worst. My fingers have no stopping point. I didn't realize it, but when I'd lift things, like my son Owen, my joints in my thumb were partially dislocating.

I ended up getting Silver Ring Splints and they have completely changed my life! I wear them all day, everyday, and take them off for bed. The pain in my hands has decreased and is almost gone!

Fast forward to January, I decided to give crochet another try and I've been obsessed ever since. I already have way too many crochet projects going at once and I've been buying yarn for a stash. I'd say I've been bitten by the crochet bug. 

I first started crocheting some Sunburst Granny Square blocks using random worsted yarn I had laying around. I joined them together using a join-as-you-go method. One of these days I plan to turn it into a pillow, but I need to crochet a backing first.

Then I bought some Paintbox Cotton DK yarn and the More Than a Granny ebook by Spin Cushions. I'm working through the ebook making two of each of the blocks. This is a great project for learning different stitches and how to follow a written pattern. I'm hoping to make enough blocks for a small afghan.

Then around Valentines I felt the urge to make something pink, so I bought some Paintbox Simply Aran yarn in various pinks and grey. I made a few granny squares and Granny Heart blocks by Red Agape. I finished this project but I'll share about it soon.

Then I felt the urge to learn how to crochet clothing and decided to make a dress for my niece. I bought some Cascade Cherub DK yarn (sooo soft) and the Crochet Summer Dress pattern by Pingo the Pink Penguin. I spent a few days trying to figure out gauge and how to get the size correct. I had to frog my work multiple times, but I finally figured it out and the dress is almost done.

While I was working on the dress I came across the Sheepjes 2017 Hyyge Crochet Along on Instagram. Somehow within about 10 minutes of finding the CAL I was purchasing one of the Mermaid color scheme Scheepjes kits. I am working on week 2 of the 14 week CAL and love the project.

So here I am only three months into my new crochet obsession and I know it's just the beginning! So I'm sure it's inevitable that I'll be sharing more crochet here and maybe even designing my own patterns and tutorials sometime in the future.

Happy Sewing (and hooking 😉),

Alyssa