Can't Stop Crocheting

When I got home from Washington, I couldn't stop crocheting! I went to the store and expanded my supplies:

And then I attempted to make the same slouchy hat I made when I was at my sisters, this time using the correct stitches. That was another disaster. It would even be safe to say that it was worse than the first! I don't have a picture of it, because I threw it away, but it was not good. This time it was WAY too big. It was more like a hat for Shrek. My gauge was too loose. So I attempted it again, took it apart, tried again until it came out right. The only difference is that I did a two tone using a dark and light purple. I must say, I was pleased.

After I finished that one, I decided to make one as a birthday gift for my best friend. She has several favorite colors so I decided to use green. I did the two tone again with a dark green around the face and light green for the back.

When I was finished, it just didn't feel like her. It seemed to plain for such a spunky gal. So I decided to add a little extra to her hat: a flower. I made it and placed a gem like button in the center. I then secured it to a broach like craft pin so that she could add, remove, or move it anywhere she'd like.

Here is what it looks like all together:

I Learned to Crochet!

I'm not really sure where I get my crafty side from. It's possible it just runs in my blood since my mom's side is made up of full-blown Amish and Amish Mennonite, but maybe not? The only thing that I was ever given that was made for me was a baby blanket my grandma on my mom's side made for me. It was pretty simple. Not even one of those fancy Amish quilts. I know my grandma can sew, but I think that was the extent of it. Sewing clothes for her nine children. I really know her more for her cooking. She made delicious food and amazing cookies and pies! I don't think my grandma on my dad's side is crafty either. Don't really know to be honest.

Anyway- growing up I was always doing some sort of craft. Coloring (is that considered a craft?), making pot holders with a loom, braiding friendship blankets, etc. But as I got older, I grew out of those things. I had attempted to teach myself to knit, but I couldn't figure it out by reading the instructions. I'm much more a visual learner. So I gave up on that. But when I went to Washington, I found out that my sister likes to crochet. So when I did, I asked her if she would teach me. She said she would so we went to the local Walmart and picked up some supplies.

My sister and I didn't exactly grow up together. I always knew I had an older sister, but growing up on almost opposite coats (Nevada/Indiana), it didn't exactly allow for us to bond. So the inner child in me was more than excited that I was given the opportunity for her to teach me something.

Below is a picture of my first project. I took this baby apart many times, and after finishing it, realized that I was doing the stitching wrong. It still looked decent.