Welcome back! Now where do I begin?
Last week, I finalized my ideas and gathered my supplies. This week, I decided that I would actually begin the process of making the slippers while thinking about my stress levels. Next week, I will focus more thoroughly on the categorization, measurement, factors, and output formatting of my stress levels to deepen the inquiry. I also have an update: I changed the Youtube video that I am learning from, as I found this https://youtu.be/jkLbBSASmW8 easier to follow along with. Below I have linked all of the specific items used in this video.
*Crochet Hooks… Rose Crochet Hook Set: https://amzn.to/32Il19i
* Red Heart With Love Yarn: https://amzn.to/3gAovmc
* Crochet Stitch Markers: https://amzn.to/3ev45IC
* Tunisian Crochet Hook Set: https://amzn.to/3v6Nm5k
Let’s dive into the process of beginning to crochet and discuss how I felt before, during, and after.
Stress level before – mild/typical – I noticed I was putting off actually starting the process due to completing other tasks and taking my own mental breaks in between. I would say I was worried about starting because I was unsure of how hard/easy it would be. Eventually, one night before bed, I took the leap and picked up the yarn and needle.
Stress level during – rising – Once I started, I instantly ran into an few issues. I tried first with the fuzzy dark grey yarn, which did not go as expected. Although the softness of the yarn seemed wonderful, it turns out it was also the downfall. The thickness of the yarn caused unclear stitching, and as a beginner, I was unable to distinguish which threads to feed the needle through. I was instantly upset because…well imagine how cozy the slippers would have been!
I then tried again with the wool yarn, hoping the stitches would be easier to see…wrong! They were slightly easier to work with, but still very difficult. I concluded that to use these two yarns, I would need to get beyond the beginner lever and perhaps use larger crochet needles. This trial and error phase caused my stress level to raise slightly as I quickly realized that I had to restart before even really starting in the first place.
Stress level after initial attempt –medium– I began thinking that this was going to be harder than I was hoping. I was worried about how time consuming it might be. This initial speedbump made me feel like the rest of the project may run similarly. I eventually took a break from the process and contemplated my next steps. I took time to understand that this was simply a learning moment, and I began to embrace the “rockiness” of it. I decided to go out and buy the yarn that was used in the video linked above. (see descriptions below). Side note: I should have gotten the same yarn from the video in the first place, but when I was at the store I got excited about the end product of using the fluffy/wool yarn before contemplating the struggles of actually using them.
Stress level during attempt two –decreasing– When I began again with the new yarn, I instantly found it easier to see the stitches and began to pick it up fairly quickly. There is a learning curve in feeling comfortable holding the needle, yarn, and chain comfortably in order to make the motions to crochet, but it comes fairly quickly. I got this motion down pretty solid after the 5 chain. I had to re watch sections of the video explaining how to start additional rows because I found it a bit tricky with the additional steps.
I began to feel at ease with the process as my initial fears began to fade. The task itself was definitely easier to pick up once I started using the thinner yarn. I would say I am feeling really excited about finishing my first pair of slippers!!
I am beginning to think that the process of crocheting will be beneficial to my stress as a university student as it allows me to take a break and focus on something concrete. It is a task that I am fully in control of. I can go as fast or slow as I please, and I can stop and put it down at any point in time. I have been working on one slipper for about 4 days, doing 4 rows a day for a total of 16 rows now.
Here are the links to the yarn I am now using.
