I've lost my crojo.

 One of the things I have learned to do over the past 2 years is crochet.

When we lived in Bonbeach I used to go to a craft afternoon at the local community centre where I cross-stitched, knitted, learned how to make stuffed animals (made 2, a cat and a polar bear, that's enough) and tried so hard to learn to crochet but decided in the end I was never going to be a hooker.

Fast forward to the end of 2018. I had stopped work and was still knitting and cross stitching. I joined a local craft group on facebook and half-heartedly read the posts. By February 2019 I was desperately lonely - I had hobbies but none of them involved socialising and I realised how hard it is to move into a new area at this stage of life. Himself encouraged me to go to one of the get togethers of the craft group in a local cafe and with my anxiety through the roof, I did. What a lovely bunch of women. I said I would never be able to crochet but they assured me I could. One of them lent me a hook and I was directed to a couple of you-tube channels and that was it. I was hooked.

This was the first thing I ever made. It sits on MILs bed.

I made beanies for the grandkids.

 I made ponchos for them as well.

Even after carpel tunnel surgery I kept at it

I learned amigurumi

I learned to make bags

I learned to read patterns and made blankets. Lots of blankets

I made shawls

I made a poncho for myself and cowls, berets and a couple of jumpers. 

I learned filet work and made a baby blanket for our niece.

Crocheting helped keep me sane during the first lockdown. Halfway through second lockdown I lost my crojo. I have 4 projects on the go and yarn and patterns for another 7 projects as well as sundry yarn that will make a nice shawl or blanket or something. AND I have become a yarn snob so none of this yarn is particularly inexpensive. I can't work with acrylic (hurts my fingers) and prefer pure cotton or merino blends. A friend gave me a pattern for my birthday which is another skill to learn and I bought the yarn for it but just can't. get. going.

Once I have finished the paintings for the grandkids for Christmas and things settle down I shall take some time to just sit quietly and crochet again.

I miss it.