Craft Newbie - What/Where Should I Start?

[PieMistress]

Hi Peeps,

So i'm thinking of starting some kind of craft but not sure what! Very vague I know! I did think of crochet but then thought about those felt animals you can make. I'm looking for something to do in the winter evenings aside from watching telly (but can also do whilst sitting on the sofa!)

Is crochet easy enough to pick up? Can anybody recommend a starter kit that perhaps comes with instructions and a hook with wool? DS is nearly 2 and i'm realising that I need to perhaps get a bit better at sewing if I want to keep up with making things like bags and fancy dress costumes for him (don't have a sewing machine).

Thanks
Pie x

I love crochet and learnt using books borrowed from a library. I know a friend of mine learnt using YouTube videos - there are millions of them. If you like the slightly retro feel of crocheted stuff then I would recommend learning.

I love how quickly it grows, I can sit on the sofa and do it. And I can even do it with the kids around (unlike anything involving sharp needles). I have made so much for myself, the kids and my friends.

Get some wool and a couple of crochet hooks and then go on YouTube. I'd really recommend this book to answer any questions you might have.

Be warned though, it can be very addictive!

Thank you three :)

You can get little start kits very cheap on eBay

You don't need a kit as such to learn crochet. Just get hold of a hook and a ball of wall and either log onto Youtube or use a book like this one I learnt by following the instructions in there. You have to find the way you like best. I like books because you can peer at the pictures until it clicks but I don't get along with Youtube (moves too fast) but I know other people swear by it.

The book I linked to uses UK abbreviations but you need to be careful as some things will use US abbreviations which are not the same.

Other than that it just needs a bit of time.

If you wanted to work in felt just google felt templates and you will find loads you can cut out and try. Again, no kit required. Just chose the felt you like, get a needle and some nice thread and jump straight in.

Have fun.

go on flickr or pinterest and see what takes your fancy. I havent done crochet but have some lovley things pinned for "one day".

There are some lovely felt projects & sticheries (embroideries) around. I did cross stitch in my teens but found it a bit boring & repetitive, but I quite like sticheries because they are quick & you are not stuck to one stitch and trying to find the right hole.

Just google stichery pattern and loads will pop up.

'scuse the typos, it has been a long day & I am too tired to edit

What's the difference between cross stitch and sticheries?

I saw a book in Hobbycraft today called Crochet Monsters and they all looked amazing!

I haven't really heard of stitcheries before but a quick perusal of images on Google seems to me to suggest that stitcheries are little embroidered pictures using all sorts of stitches which may or may not include some cross stitch.

Cross stitch is just one stitch which you can use to create pictures. A lot of cross stitch kits fill the entire piece of fabric with crosses - no fabric is left showing within the borders of the design - it is more like a tapestry. With a stitchery the picture is more like drawing.

Hope that makes sense!

"Cross stitch is just one stitch which you can use to create pictures" - sorry I should have said and it can be used as a stitch to create pictures by itself - you would not use any other stitches except maybe a back stitch for borders.

bigbaubledbertha is right -

a little tutorial here