When my wrists hurt, it is like a sprain that so to my elbow so I have to stop doing anything to get it better or it just gets worse.  I get it from using the scroll button too much on the computer mouse too lol!   I think crocheting and knitting when waiting is great! I used too read or crochet when watching tv. was productive! but that was before kids and now I sit watching tv with a laptop on my lap reading dollar stretcher forums!

 I know what you mean. I have a friend that has what she calls a gimp finger. It makes knitting impossible for her for weeks at a stretch. When she can knit again she goes at it full force.

DH is so sweet, he balled up all my yarn for me last night.  

Im a self taught crocheter. The only stiches I can do are double n triple. I havent been able to figure out how to do the granny squares yet. I would love to be able to make some socks n some hats tho, but I have got to figure out how to do it..

All Ive made so far are afghans, in the past 3 yrs Ive made almost a dozen of them, The first one I made was for my neice who lives in Florida, the rest ive made for our house. Only gave out 3 more to a friend, who just feel inlove with them.

Will have to aks a couple of co-workers who also crochet how to make the granny squares n see if any of them can teach me how to do hats n stuff.

I would love to learn to knit, I have the kit that is a teach yourself how to knit, but so far I cant seem to get it done right.

There are lots of great books out there plus the web of course.  It isn't hard to do granny squares. www.lionbrand.com is a great website. They have great pictures and info in the how to section. Easy to understand. That is where I learned to bind off when I was finished knitting.  Great patterns. You need to register for free patterns but don't need to buy something. I bought the wool and made the Martha Stewart poncho.

Actually, you can do a lot with double and triple crochet stitches! If you look at most patterns, that is what they are made of (plus the single stitch of course) Its the yarn that usually gives the interest.  All filet crochet is dble stitch and chain stitch. To get the pattern, you just fill the square in where is says to fill in. It is the counting and keeping track of which line you are on that you have to really watch. I have a xmas pattern of santa and his reindeer in red thread, I have been doing for years. Actually I put it away and forget about it and work on it maybe once a year lol!  Reminds me I should dig it out and finish it for xmas!

If you get DIY or HGTV there is a show called "knitty gritty" that is on almost daily. I have learned so much from watching that show. They recently spot lighted looms, might a good resource for when hands and wrists are acting up. I didn't have anyone in my family that knitted, so I am basically self taught, or from watching shows or other people do it. A friend of mine showed me how to crochet one or two times, but I still find I like knitting better.

 I don't do a lot of crocheting and even less knitting. But I can if I need to.  I just got a big stash of yarn from an old repo-ed house that friends of our bought and they let us take anything we wanted since they'd already had a garage sale.  I got some beautiful variated expensive looking yarn-about 3 skeins, and lots of odds and ends.  I donated the odds and ends to a friend who makes hats for the homeless or for whoever is in need.  I kept the nice kind but if I don't figure out something simple and good to do with it for Christmas- maybe a scarf- she'll get that too.  I do crochet pot holders and I"m trying to teach my 8 yr old daughter how to crochet for when she's "bored".  Her older sister made a great scarf last Christmas.  I like that fisherman's knit look but crocheting is so much faster. About 20 years ago I saw a kit to make a fisherman's knit afgan but it was crocheted.  I bought the yarn and started to teach myself the fancy stitches but lost patience. If anyone knows where I can get a good fisherman's "knit" crocheted pattern I'd love to finish my life long dream.  I can still make beautiful baby blankets and little "things" -crafts.  I was hoping to learn to spin back when we had llamas and cashmere goats.  Then I could've been even more self sufficient.  It's a great hobby and I look forward to making a few more things as almost all my kids are in school.

blessings,

joan of ark 

I'm a self taught knitter and taught myself knitting many, many years ago by knitting a pair of soakers (do any of you remember those?) for my infant son.  I have to tell you that those were the largest soakers ever made!  However, I improved from there and ended up making sweaters and socks.  I guess practice makes perfect.

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