My mum is the craftiest person to ever live.
No exaggeration necessary.
She can take one look at something and know how it was made, and then recreate the effect within days.
She has made furniture.
Painted floors.
She quilts.
She knits.
She crochets.
She paints.
She collages.
She embroiders.
She makes clothes.
She knows more about craft then I could ever possibly learn.
As I grew up, she had a patchwork shop and quilting class business.
Her newest thing is to make paper quilts and frame them.
I don’t know exactly what that involves, but it looks awesome.
It comes as no surprise that my sister is also craftily and artistically blessed.
Much to both their chagrin, I am not.
I’ve tried so many crafts.
But my lack of patience and lets face it, lack of interest, have impeded the learning process.
I can knit. I find it relaxing.
My Nanna taught me when I was a child and it’s the only crafting skill I retained from my childhood.
But I end up just knitting massive rectangles, unwinding them and then starting all over again.
I always wanted to learn how to crochet.
My mum has tried multiple times to teach me.
To absolutely no avail.
Every attempt at teaching me ended in exasperation.
And she may or may not have called me an idiot.
In the nicest possible way, I’m sure…
I get frustrated just trying to teach the Two how to use a spoon.
I can’t begin to understand how frustrating it must be for such a crafty woman to have a daughter who is all thumbs.
Untalented thumbs.
But one day, as I was Instagramming, I saw that Amelia from Wedding, Babies and Everything had made a granny square.
And I wanted to be able to do it so desperately.
So I found these two balls of wool.
When the stress and inevitable inactivity that a twin pregnancy brings sent me batty.
And my mum bought me this wool and some knitting needles.
Because she knew it would relax me.
And that I wouldn’t care that all I was doing was making massive rectangles.
I don’t know how many times I’ve wound and unwound this wool.
But I decided that “this time” I was going to make use of all my uncrafty thumbs and force them into crochet submission.
I watched the Granny Square 101 videos at Meet Me At Mikes a zillion times.
And then a zillion more times.
This was the result:
I had my a-ha moment. I “got it”!
She even made me a yarn bag and bought me a huge stash of wool, as well as parting with some of her favourite skeins.
I decided that before I try to make a cardigan, I’d try my hand at hats.
I bought a 4 pack of patterns from Etsy. And made one of all of them.
Which had everything to do with my craft mongability factor and nothing to do with the wool or pattern.
Which I now know because after 57 attempts and unwinding and restitching, I actually made it work.
My craft blog would be full of pictures of monged up attempts.
Punctuated with swearing and tantrums.
Actually, that blog sounds awesome…
Far out they are awesome!
I’m also in awe of that bag she made. So pretty!
I’m not a craft blogger either. I thought, with my latest project, I migh blog about it, but I realised last night that I have forgotten to take enough step by step photos. So you get the first ones, and then the finished project.
If I eve actually finish it that is!
Jess recently posted..This Little Piggy…
lol … that’s the one problem being a craft blogger… there’s so many pics to remember to take and then edit so they look pretty.. it takes a crap load of time to do a tutorial!
Cassandra recently posted..Thrifted – Tips, Fabric & Vintage Pattern Heaven!
I can imagine how much work it would be!!
Yeah! She’s a mental case! Anyone else would have handed the wool over in an environmental supermarket bag!
hahaha,im all thumbs too, the daughter of a master sewer and knitter….
did u see my alien babies cake ?
Bernadette recently posted..L=Life
No! On your blog or FB?
I blogged LOL heres the link to the post
http://iwasntbloggedyesterday.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/shower-with-chance-of-babies.html
Bernadette recently posted..L=Life
My mom used to croche, she was not real good at it but it was relaxing. All she made was 3×3 squares. She made a zillion of them of various colors over 2 or three years. THen she combined them to make one huge blanket. She named it and it will forever be known as “THe idiot blanket” it does not look all that great, but it still keeps me warm in several different ways!
(!) that was for you.
Cranky
Cranky Old Man recently posted..SOMETHING SMELLS IN NEW JERSEY
I love 3X3 squares! So relaxing and quick! I plan on turning mine into a blanket at some point.
Love that you still have your Mum’s blanket, Cranky!
And thanks for the ! – you know I love them!
Your crochet skills are awesome!!! I love the bunny ears!
Blogs and youtube taught me how to sew and crochet and knit… my dear mother tried, but she’s left handed and I just got confused! O_O
I’ll have to get you to guest post over at Cass Can Sew one day!
Daisy Can Crochet!!!!! Yay!!!!
Cassandra recently posted..Thrifted – Tips, Fabric & Vintage Pattern Heaven!
Haha yes! Maybe one day! It feels good to “get” something crafty for a change!
I am in envy, I want to be able to crochet, but I had a crack and was bloody useless. tools of trade are in a bag in my sewing draws. I will pull them out again, just not sure when. mmmm. I am impressed with your efforts.
Mandy recently posted..Kidspace :: Product Reviews
They look awesome I might take up the hook again while waiting for the school bus. Cause I have no internet at the front gate !
Trish recently posted..Wordless Wednesday ~ Flashdance
Ok. I am convinced. I will give it another whirl! I tried so very hard when Emily was a bub.. and I nearly stabbed myself in the eye with the crochet hook out of pure hatred.
You have inspired me!
Loz recently posted..Miss Emily.
Totally awesome daisy. Love those hats!! Totally jelous you can follow a pattern lol Ive become a wing it kind of crocheter lol you should go on ravelry.com there are free patterns and ones you can buy too. I waste lots of time on there looking for what to make next
Lifeasmummymax recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – mothers day
I like to say I’m a food blogger, because this one time I blogged a recipe.
Craft and me are like chalk and cheese. I love it, I admire it, and I have a big etsy purchasing habit. I can’t even knit. I did try, but I think my talents lay elsewhere, like in cocktail making.
Naomi recently posted..On sex, death and taxes
I admire your talents as much as I admire the crafty people’s talents. Cocktail making is essential for survival. In my humble opinion. How about we start a collaborative blog project: Cocktails and Cocked up Craft!
Sounds like a plan! Cocktail shaker crochet covers here we come!
Naomi recently posted..Downsizing the internet
I like google reader for following a blog. This is very informative thanks for sharing.
Helen J. Browning recently posted..vimax patches
Go youuuuuu!!!
The black sheep comes good!!!!
I’m in awe – because you are an expert and genius in comparison to me.
(which makes your Mum ‘the holy one’ pretty much!)
The newsboy cap? Beyond cute.
xxxx
Mum on the Run recently posted..Don’t Blink!!
My husband made me make him one too! And now has requested a matching scarf.
My mum is totally the holy one of craft! Go black sheep, I say!
Hahaha I love this, firstly because I am all thumbs, not one skerrick of craft genes in me, and secondly because I think you’re amazing for coming so far and making those gorgeous squares and hats, fantastic job.
Nat – Muddy Farmwife recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – Drafting the Rams out
I only knit scarves, and then only if someone casts on and off for me. I’m sure I could get on you tube and learn how to do it, but really I can’t be bothered.
Jo @Countrylifeexperiment recently posted..I’d Like To Thank…
Wow! Your mother must be such a great person! I think you’ve earned some of her talent, your pictures look pretty cool!
Marlene recently posted..Feuerjongleure in der Nacht
wow! thats amazing Daisy!! can i order one?
btw PPPPPPLEASSSE do a craft blog, i think your monged up attempts would be hilarious! (I am so uncrafty its unbelivable! AND left handed which just adds to the confusion 
)
Could you imagine my posts?
How NOT to make a scarf using sticks from the garden and week is mush… Whilst drinking a bottle of wine.
Craft mongability factor – ahahaha! Brilliant post. You had me laughing in my chair. And ps the hats look awesome. x
Anna @ green tea n toast recently posted..Slummy Mummy
Thanks Anna! Lol I am also awesome at making up words!
It is really nice to be a craft blogger. However, it depends upon on the niche you are focusing. It depends upon also on your skills. If you have skills in crafting, you can be a craft blogger.
Sarina Jones recently posted..Naturally Whiten Your Teeth For a Beautiful Picture
I like your craft. Even if you are not a craft blogger yet you made a lot of crafts. In fact, I love them.
Janine Thomas recently posted..How to Get a Beautiful Smile with a Teeth Whitening
I’m impressed! You lie! You have at least one or two crafty bones in your body! I love the paperboy cap.
Can I ask. What is a skein? (See, I really don’t have craft bones. I don’t think I could master so much as a square or a row{?Are there rows?} of crochet or knitting).
And what is a paper quilt? Honest question with embarrassed apologies if it’s a stupid one.
Melissa Mitchell recently posted..Aftermath