March is National Crochet Month and the craft is enjoying a resurgence in popularity.
The Michigan Paw held a beginning crochet class at the Rusty Rooster in Warren Saturday afternoon with a small group of fiber artists gathered around a table learning how to properly make a foundation chain.
Sue LaBelle and Kim Brithinee both taught themselves to crochet using YouTube videos but say they have developed bad habits they are trying to break by taking an in-person class.
“I started making a basket and I got the first part done, but then I didn’t know from the directions what to do next,” said LaBelle.
Brithinee said she struggles with a common issue among crocheters; keeping the sides of her scarf or blanket even and not accidentally adding stitches.
“I think I’m doing great and then I look and it is all going to one side,” said Brithinee.
The Michigan Paw owner and instructor, Andrea (it is like Madonna or Bono – just one name), said she taught herself to crochet during the COVID pandemic using YouTube videos and wished she’d had an in-person instructor to help her understand some things that were just not clear through video.
“I have guinea pigs and I like to dress them up and it is really hard to find clothing for them at the pet store like you can for dogs,” said Andrea. “That is why I started crocheting in the first place.”
She soon graduated to granny squares, blankets and human clothing and wants to share her knowledge with others so they can enjoy the craft more.
She offers hands-on instruction both in person and via Zoom for all levels of crafters.
Elizabeth Maksout and Amanda Fischer are both longtime knitters looking to add another craft to their repertoire. Maksout’s mother, Kim, crocheted when she was younger but had a long hiatus from it before trying to pick it up again recently.
“My mom asked me if I wanted to come with her and I did because I love artistic things and it is another way to use my creativity,” said Maksout. “I’m 23 and have been knitting since I was about 10, but I’m brand new to crochet.”
The instructor shows the students how to make a proper slipknot to get the foundation chain started and explains how to hold the hook and the yarn to ensure the proper tension is achieved. Too loose and the pattern may look like there are holes in it and two tight of a tension might cause the piece to curl and twist.
Despite the challenges of learning a new craft or re-learning an old, familiar craft, all of the crocheters said they find it relaxing and therapeutic to sit back and pull yarn through loops with a hook.
“Sometimes it’s hard to keep the right tension when you’re knitting and keep the needles from slipping, so I thought it would be fun to try crochet because it is just one hook,” said Fischer.
For more information about crochet classes through The Michigan Paw, contact [email protected] or follow The Michigan Paw on Facebook.