One of my favorite past times is to knit. I find it very relaxing and soothing, so much so I usually just turn on a movie on my computer and knit and knit. I have attempted following patterns but sometimes it takes the relaxation out of knitting and instead injects stress because you have to get pretty much every correct or the whole pattern is thrown off. So for the most part, I have just stuck to the regular knit stitch and purl stitch.
Recently I came across the most gorgeous crocheted vests.
Are these not just beautiful? They have made me decide that I want to learn how to crochet too. Plus I figured that once I learn how to crochet maybe there is a possibility that I could learn how to crochet lace. Now that would be really pretty but for now I'm sticking with just learning the basics and getting familiar with everything. You will never guess who is teaching me. Youtube. The lady's channel name is Bethintx1 (Beth in Texas, in case you were like me and trying to mash it all together). She's pretty good. I thought I'd share one of the first videos that really shows you how to crochet so that if you wanted to check out what crocheting is and see if you might possibly want to try it.
I even have some wonderful news for everyone who lives in Oxford. We have our own yarn store. While you can go to Walmart or any craft store nearest you to find the materials you need, speciality yarn stores are the mecca stores that will have everything you need to start knitting, crocheting, and anything else that has to do with yarn. The quality of yarn and needles purchased in a speciality store verses at Walmart or general craft store is extremely noticeable. Also they have a wonderfully helpful staff that is knowledgable about pretty much all things yarn. Plus their selection is endless. In Oxford, the yarn store is called Knit1 Oxford and is right off the square. The address for Knit1 Oxford is 103 North 13th Street, Oxford, MS. They even have their own website which you can check out by clicking here. Before I found this store, I had to drive all the way back home to Southaven to Hank of Yarn. Hank of Yarn is located by the Southaven Malco movie theater. Their address is 7075 Malco Blvd, #110, Southhaven, MS and they have their own website as well. On both websites you can even find free patterns for knitting and probably crocheting. All you have to do is go to their products page and then start clicking on the links to their products. Those websites usually have free patterns ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert. I have my eye on a few patterns, especially this really lovely cardigan I just know I will be able to make one day and a man's sweater vest that is supposed to be beginner level. I have been made fun of many times for having this "old lady habit" but in all honesty it feels good to make things with your hands. I cannot believe we have gotten so far away from it. I even want to learn to cross stitch so I can make my children quilts to pass down to their children and so on. In fact, the quilt that is on my bed right now is hand made and passed down from my great-aunt. It makes it that much more special. Where has all the traditions gone and why do we think it's so much better to just buy things that are already made than to take a little more time and make them ourself?
