Sunday, September 22, 2019

Genius Hour Blog Post #2

This week I began working on my Genius Hour project.  The first thing that I had to do was locate the pattern that I will learn how to crochet to make my blanket.  This proved to be more difficult than I had expected and was the biggest struggle that I had this week.  Although I very quickly found several sets of instructions explaining how to crochet granny squares, such as the ones located here and here, none of them listed the size of the crochet hook or the gauge (thickness) of the yarn that were to be used.  From my knitting background, I know that all yarn has a label that lists the size of knitting needle and crochet hook that it is meant to be used with.  However, I also know that some gauges of yarn are easier to work with than others.  As a beginner, I wanted to make sure to find the easiest possible combination of yarn and crochet hook that I could, so that I will have the best possible chance of success when I begin making my blanket.  Eventually, I was able to find a pattern here that included the crochet hook and yarn to use, as well as clear instructions with photographs.
Once I had chosen my pattern, the next thing that I had to do was purchase the crochet hook and yarn that I will need to make my blanket.  Fortunately, I already had a selection of yarn that was the correct gauge, so I only had to purchase the crochet hook.  The two stores that I knew would have crochet hooks and are relatively easily accessible by bus from where I live are Walmart and Michaels.  I went onto both stores' websites to see what they had available and at what price.  Walmart's website listed a metal hook (but no price information for the size that I needed), a bamboo hook at $2.97 for the size that I needed, and a soft-handled hook at $4.27 for the size that I needed.  From my knitting experience, I know that I prefer metal tools to bamboo ones, so I knew that I did not want the bamboo hook.  Michaels' website listed an aluminum hook at $2.99 and an ergonomic hook at $8.99.  Armed with this knowledge, I went shopping.
The first store that I went to was Walmart.  The metal hook was out of stock at this location and I found the soft-handled hook uncomfortable to hold.  Then I went to Michaels.  While the ergonomic hook was fine, it was not worth the price to me, especially since I do not know if I will use it after I complete my Genius Hour project.  As a result, I purchased the aluminum hook.

This week, I learned that less of my knitting knowledge was transferable than I had thought it would be.  This was most evident when looking for a pattern.  When I want to find a pattern to knit, I go onto ravelry.com and use the website's search functions to find exactly what I am looking for relatively quickly.  I was humbled by how much trouble I had trying to find a pattern that met my requirements, especially because what I was looking for was a fairly basic pattern.  However, this also gave me an opportunity to explore other pattern websites, such as thesprucecrafts.com where I found the pattern that I will be using.

At this point, I have done everything that I need to do before next session's Genius Hour.  The next step of my Genius Hour project is to learn and practice the stitches that I will need to use when making my blanket.  From the pattern that I have chosen, I know that these stitches are the chain stitch, the double crochet, and the slip stitch.  The pattern includes links to instructions for these stitches, so I will use those links as my starting point and do further research if necessary.

References
Love Knitting 6" Bamboo Crochet Hook. (n.d.).  Retrieved from https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/love-knitting-6-bamboo-crochet-hook-10-mm-us-np-15/6000196737696
Love Knitting Soft Handle 6" Crochet Hook. (n.d.).  Retrieved from https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/love-knitting-soft-handle-6-crochet-hook-25-mm-us-na/6000196737650
Make it !  Basic Granny Square !!!. (2013).  Retrieved from http://homemadeatmyplace.blogspot.com/2013/04/make-it-basic-granny-square.html
McShane, M.L.M. (n.d.).  Classic granny squares - spelled out.  Retrieved from http://www.silisium.org/files/Classic_granny_squares.pdf
Ravelry (n.d.).  Retrieved from https://www.ravelry.com/
The Spruce Crafts (n.d.).  Retrieved from https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/
Vercillo, K. (2019).  How to crochet a classic granny square: Free pattern plus instructions, tips and hacks.  Retrieved from https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/how-to-crochet-classic-granny-square-3576784
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