Hi Everyone! I really need some help....

[cher26bear]

:blush Hi there,:(

I was searching the internet on aphgans and ran into this site.
Reason I am here is that my grandmother of 94 just passed away last week. She made the most beautiful aphgans....I never learned from her how to make them. I was in my early twenties when she stopped making them due to her hands and eye sight. I really want to start but, I have no idea how...When I look in stores there are so many books....any suggestions. I am just a beginner with a tradition to carry on. It is really important to me that I can do this.....Thanks for any information.
Sherry:manyheart

[funkyreporter]

Some people learn best by being taught so you might want to take a class at your local yarn shop - Michael's and JoAnne's have classes - inexpensive and a wonderful way to learn.

Next best would be a DVD that would show you how to do the basics.

Next idea would be one of those I Taught Myself to Crochet books, or Crocheting for Dummies... those are all helpful.

Also, pretty much every crochet pattern book starts the first section with basic crochet, so if you're able to follow directions well, and theyr'e well-written directions, they might help.

There are also tutorials on-line, but I don't know the links to them... I know others on here do, so perhaps someone will help you.

You might also try posting in the Crochet Help section!

Good luck!

[christinascrochethaven]

www.crochetcabana.com (http://www.crochetcabana.com)

This site has great tutorials.
Also, www.anniesattic.com (http://www.anniesattic.com) is a great site.

I really recommend a cd rom version. I used it to learn how to make circles and some stitches. I got mine at Walmart about 6 years ago. Check with a craft store near you for suggestions.

There are tons of sites that offer help. Good luck and Welcome! Don't give up! Your grandmother will be proud of you for trying!:hug

[misssmaggie]

Hi there!
Welcome from Stoneboro, PA!
Maggie

[Terri/LadySorce]

Howdy from Oklahoma Sherry

Welcome to Crochetville


I see lots of people has turned you into the right directions for help :)

[lhasaapsolady]

A warm and :cheer :welcome from Newville, PA.

[yarncat]

Welcome,Sherry!

[lizc]

what a wonderful thing to do to remember your grandmother!

welcome from massachusetss

[minwifeof4boys]

Your grandmother would be very proud of you for this... I think its great for you to carry on the legacy like this.. BUT... make sure you teach a younger member of your family to crochet after you learn so the tradition will continue :) welcome from rural NC

[Vik]

Hi :cheer and welcome to Crochetville from Buenos Aires, Argentina! :manyheart

[crochetsal]

Welcome, Sherry, I see some of the things I was going to suggest have already been suggested!
I bought a Learn to Crochet book, and taught myself.
And if you hit a snag, there's lots of people here to help you out.
Sally

[astridz55]

Welcome!
I used a book called Encyclopedia of Crochet, it was really nice with lots of pictures.
And the idea of teaching a younger family member is a great idea. I might have to do that with some of my younger cousins.

[blondi]

Hello & :welcome from NE Texas. :cowgirl

[squish_52]

Welcome to Crochetville! There are alot of great ways to learn to crochet, my favorite way to learn new stitches is www.anniesattic.com or sometimes i go to this site and they have a place for learning www.crochetpatterncentral.com i wish you tons of luck on this project! my gramma passed away this past winter and i learned some crochet from her before she passed and the rest i'm self taught, the best advice i can give you is never give up! Crochet is a family legacy of sorts and can be a great source of strength and relaxation...if you need some help dont hesitate to ask! everyone here is awesome!

[luvmnms]

:hi and :welcome from SoCal.

I see people have given you lots of valuable resources, and that's what this site is all about, helping others. So if you need anything, just ask, someone will be able to help you or send you in the right direction.

I'm sorry you didn't get the opportunity to learn from your grandmother, but what a wonderful way to remember her by wanting to learn so you can carry on the tradition.

Just remember practice, practice, practice!

[funkyreporter]

I self-taught on various textile arts beginning with embroidery at around age 10 - just begged my mom to buy me a kit from the local store and looked at the instructions and it made sense; around 13 I discovered needlepoint and did some kits - about 15 I found counted cross stitch. Discovered crochet around 24 or so. Figured out quilting around 30. Also discovered mixed media art (decopouge type stuff) altered art. Oh, mosaic is one I picked up in the last few years. Polymer clay. Still can't cook (oh, darn:lol - you have enough oven fires and the family stops asking!)

No one in my family was 'into' any crafting (mom was an orphan and I'm an only child) but my husband's mom was an amazingly talented woman, so when I am "stuck" on something I try to channel her! My husband says he sometimes sees me doing something that she used to do (no, I never did get to meet her) so I guess the channeling thing is working!

I admire you for learning gramma's craft and I imagine her smiling down on you proudly and encouraging you! You found a great group of people here on the Village, so be sure to holler whenever you're stuck and don't forget to show us something - anything - that you make! Even if you don't think it 'looks as good as gramma's stuff' show us your progress so we can cheer you on:cheer

[tygger428]

Welcome from Silicon Valley. I learned to crochet (and knit) initially from the readers digest complete guide to needlework. Learning a craft from a book is difficult for me, but I managed to pull it off. The best way to learn is to watch someone else do it, at least it is easier for me. I also opted to learn to crochet after finding my grandma's (she died before I was four) steel crochet hooks when I was about 12.

I used to attend my local Crochet Guild of America chapter meetings, but I prefer to sleep in on Saturday mornings. If you can find a similar group to meet with, this might help. You can search the Crochet Guild's site and see if there is a chapter in your area (http://www.crochet.org) or see if your local yarn shop, even if it is only a Michaels or Hobby Lobby, AC Moore, or whatever you have, to see if they have classes or groups that meet.

[ferosah]

Hi Sherry,
Welcome to crochetville from the sunny Island of Trinidad West Indies
Ferosa