Tag: beginnercrochet

The baby blanket that almost was

I was walking through meijer one day, perusing the craft section trying to find paint for a lamp revamp I planned on doing. When what to my wandering eyes should appear? A cake of yarn that claims it’s big enough to make a baby blanket. What?!!?

As I admired the colors of the yarn, noting that they would pair beautifully with my cousins nursery, I bought it. Do I crochet? No. Do I knit? No. So I had to buy needles. I of course chose knitting, because I enjoy frustration.

I buy the size needles it recommends. 2 straight needles. I head home and immediately started knitting. I dabbled in crochet and knitting when I was pregnant with my first. I think the only thing I crocheted was a winter hat that didn’t fit.

Anyway, so I watch a YouTube video to “brush up on my skills” and get to work. When I tell you this was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, I am NOT exaggerating. First of all, I had to cast on, I believe 80 stitches. 80 STITCHES! On the needles. Ok…James?

The stitches didn’t even fit. I was fighting the yarn the whole time trying to keep it from popping off. After further research, I learned there were circular needles, so of course I ordered a set of those AND a crochet needle set because what’s a spontaneous hobby without going overboard with the supplies?

My 4ft blanket squished on a 2ft needle. How did I not know this wouldn’t work? (Peep my comfort movie: Twilight)

So I restarted on the circular needles. This was much easier on my hands and wrists…until my fingertips started hurting from the pointy ends of the needles. My hands were so tired, I had to take a break.

So much easier on my wrists

I decided crocheting a quick little crossbody purse would be fun and I’d feel accomplished. A 4ft x 4ft baby blanket was a huge undertaking, so I figured I’d start another project. If you can believe it, I did finish the crossbody purse!

I’ve never used it. It just sits in our entryway table, but I made it! With my own 2 hands!

Anyway, so back to the blanket, which remember I’ve already restarted once. I finished the crossbody so fast, I decide I’m going to crochet the blanket instead.

I started from the other end of the cake just to keep my knitted blanket intact in case I didn’t like the crocheted look.

Okay, now mind you, I’m trying to finish this before my cousin’s baby shower. I restarted this blanket 2 DAYS before the baby shower.

So I fly through this blanket. I’m allllmmmooosssttt to the end of the yarn that begins my knitted portion of the blanket, when all chaos breaks loose. My yarn is a giant knot. I can’t undo it. I end up pulling it apart about 6 inches from my needle. Now I have to tie the yarn back together. I have no faith that I can tie it strong enough. So now I have an almost finished baby blanket, that was not finished in time for the shower (the baby isn’t here yet so technically I still have time), I have my entire “knitted” portion of the blanket left…and I just quit. It’s been sitting in my closet for a month. I came so close, but it’s still not completed. Maybe one day. And that day has to be before March.

Update: I just measured and it is currently sitting at about 3ft x 2ft. I have to at least add another foot before calling it complete. In a perfect world, I would add another 2 ft…

February 2, 2026
The cute crossbody purse I made in 3 days as a beginner crocheter
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In the midst of a baby blanket fiasco, I decided I’m going to start ANOTHER project. I rationalized with myself that I needed to “do something quick to feel accomplished.”

You know what? I DID finish it quickly. (In my humble beginner crocheter opinion) And I DID feel accomplished.

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I’ll link all the materials I used here, in case you’re intested:
1. Yarn: Caron All Day Cotton in Eyes Blue
2. Knitting Needles: Froggod Interchangeable Circular Needles
3. Crochet Hooks: Flickzo Ergonomic Aluminum Crochet Hood Set
4. Knitting/Crochet Accessories: Jupean Complete Knitting Accessories
I obviously thought I was some kind of professional starting my second project, because I had a vision in my head of exactly what I wanted and I thought for a second I would just wing it.

I started out knitting the bag, but it was taking FOREVER and I somehow kept adding stitches in each row.

This was looking so pretty. I loved the texture, but I somehow kept adding stitches each time so it wasn’t straight on the edge.

I came back to reality and realized I can piece this together using resources from people that actually know what they’re doing.

So I start my research. I wanted a crossbody bag that was big enough to fit 2 diapers, a small pack of wipes, and other essentials like my phone, wallet and car keys. This was going to be my “mom bag.”

I found a tutorial on youtube that was exactly what I was looking for. It was for a book sleeve, but I just measured my toddlers pull up so I knew what size I needed.

As you can see, I switched to my crocket hooks, because my hands just cannot grasp the concept of knitting. This was a great decision, because I started flying through this bag!

Here is the tutorial I used in case you’re curious and want to try it out!

I finished the main portion of the bag and realized…this tutorial is for a book sleeve, not a purse. So then I was brainstorming how do I crochet a strap??

I finished the main portion in our closet because I needed light but didn’t want to wake our baby.

Well, I obviously got cocky because I just started crocheting a strap and measured the chain against my body. Newbie mistake. Double crochet makes the strap a little longer, so it unfortunately ended up being an awkward length.

I used it for one day and realized I needed to add a lining because the yarn was stretching with all of my stuff in it.

So I called my mom up and asked for her sewing kit. I had leftover fabric from my Goodwill Bear Lamp flip so I was able to get started on a lining immediately!

This is my first ever crochet project that I completed. I love the color of yarn I chose. I love the way it looks sitting on our entryway table…but I honestly haven’t used it since I completed it.

I’ll give it another go soon and see how it works out. I think I’m not the biggest fan of where it sits on me. The strap has stretched even more from when I didn’t have the lining.

Either way, I’m proud of myself for completing it!
January 19, 2026