Author Topic: crochet and the 'cack handed' (Read 5946 times)

helskitchen · « **on:** June 06, 2011, 10:08:57 pm »

So frustrated!!! I learnt how to knit with very great difficulty when I was a child, it was difficult because I am the only person in my family who is a lefty, and my gran (who is a lightning knitter) spent a lot of time and patience trying to work out the best way of teaching me to hold needles, wool etc. Whilst I have been off from work (and been instructed by the doc to relax) I decided to try my hand at crochet as I found a magazine with some lovely patterns in.

I CAN'T DO IT!!!!

I am so frustrated, I can't pick anything other than double and treble up and can't do any of the patterns or shaping. Have tried photocopying the diagrams of what to do and reversing it, and attempted it and pulled it back and had another go, but I can't do it. I now live 65 miles away from my gran, so can't pop round and ask her to decifer the pattern and show me how to make bloody magic rings and trb into ch sp

I've learned how to do everything else as a lefty, and do a few other crafty things, but sooooo wanted to crochet a lovely lacey throw/blanket for my living room. Have just put it away before my hook is ejected at great speed out of the window. Gutted

little blue · « **Reply #1 on:** June 06, 2011, 10:17:56 pm »

how frustrating!
I'm left handed ... but can't knit, never mind crochet!
hope somebody more helpful comes along soon....

Bionic · « **Reply #2 on:** June 06, 2011, 10:18:59 pm »

It must be very frustrating and you have done the right thing to put the book down now while you are feeling like that but please don't give up. I love crochet. Spending most of my time in a hotel room at the moment crochet has been my life saver. I am crocheting cushion covers. I know it sounds a bit knaff but its not the usual holey pattern. It looks more like aran knitting and I am very pleased with it. The plan is to have one side crochet and one side material so that they can be reversed. I haven't quite worked out yet how to attach the crochet to the material but I will get there.
Keep perservering and you will get there too
Sally

shearling · « **Reply #3 on:** June 06, 2011, 11:32:44 pm »

Maybe its not meant to be. Me right handed. Knitting easy to learn at a young age, sew, wordwork you name it I can do it with my hands except for.....playing the piano with the correct fingering and £%£$"%^£"$^Crochet! CANNOT DO IT..if my life depended on in.. not no way not no how

shearling · « **Reply #4 on:** June 06, 2011, 11:37:22 pm »

I should add. I cannot even double

or do any sort of chain. Why not try what you can do... to keep you chin up? get a pattern for fine knitting with one or two ply or cobweb knitting like in the Shetlands if you really want a challenge

Bionic · « **Reply #5 on:** June 06, 2011, 11:40:22 pm »

I've found this link for a left handed crochet book

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Learn-Crochet-Just-One-Day/dp/0881955108/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1307399905&sr=1-2

ellisr · « **Reply #6 on:** June 07, 2011, 09:08:38 am »

My grandma is left handed and knits and crochets. Knitting she does do as right handed but crochet she does left handed

Anke · « **Reply #7 on:** June 07, 2011, 02:30:38 pm »

I am right handed, but knit (and crochet) continental way. I cannot (after 20 years here!!!) work with British or American knitting patterns or instructions. I normally just look at the photos and "translate" into German in my head...

Hermit · « **Reply #8 on:** June 07, 2011, 02:44:38 pm »

If you get a pattern book with diagrams will it be easier? Mine have written patterns and diagrams,sometimes you can follow just by looking at a diagram and not the pattern. I love doing lace crochet, a large item would bore me to death half way through.Also the American patterns have different stitches to English patterns so you must adapt, you go up a stitch for the American patterns. That confused me and I nearly gave up in the begining cause nothing looked right. U tube has loads of instructional videos. Good luck and dont give up.

Anke · « **Reply #9 on:** June 07, 2011, 09:18:41 pm »

Diagrams and a photo usually help, but most of the british patterns are all written out... how anyone can follow these is beyond me....

Hermit · « **Reply #10 on:** June 07, 2011, 10:24:21 pm »

Dont give up , it will fall into place. There are many books that give diagrams as well as patterns. If You keep at it the lingo will make sense. I have been making victorian style lace jug covers tonight , this time six months ago I could only do dishcloths and basic granny squares. I am teaching myself tatting now and I am at the same stage as learning crochet. Half the fun is learning, if we could do it all there would be no satisfaction.

Hilarysmum · « **Reply #11 on:** June 20, 2011, 09:26:27 am »

I am VERY left handed. In school (it was a loooooong time ago) I was regularly hit with a ruler on my left hand to make me write with my right hand.

However, I have learned to crochet right handed. It took some time to become proficient/efficient.