I would love to learn to crochet again.  My grandma taught me when I was a little girl and I would make scarfs and blankets for my baby dolls.  I attempted several years ago and was turned off by the instructions.  Maybe I will have to check out the you tube videos….

BuckeyeGirl said:

  Unlike the way my mother who could crochet anything on the planet without a thought… no matter how hard she tried to be patient, every time I didn't "get it" and she had to show me over and over, her voice would get just a little tighter… she didn't mean to and she had lots of patience as a rule, but there was that tiny bit of stress there!

I can relate to that! My grandma taught me how to crochet when I was about 10. She did beautiful work, and I am lucky to have tablecloths and placemats that she made. I am not nearly as talented as she was, I find it **impossible** to crochet with fine threads. She too, could not understand why I didn't "get it." 

I may not make fine linens or lace, but I can make a mean dog sweater or a beautiful afghan just the same. Thanks, Grandma!

Years back [when books were king] I taught all levels of crochet from basic to lacework … I can agree that most people benefit considerably from "show me" instructions be they live instructors or videos, but don't feel that there must be precise right vs. wrong way to hold thread or hook to crochet.  The ideal approach was to allow whatever grip was comfortable for the individual, couched with the caveat that "the classic form of holding the hook would give speed".  I only had maybe one or two in each class that preferred the overhand to the classic pinch grip.  Sometimes mobility issues pressed the choice.

Another approach with teaching was to encourage a beginner to practice chain stitch into oodles of yardage of smooth scrap yarn with an H size hook.  Impatient souls didn't like the exercise but 100% were pleased with how quickly they developed even tension which brought pretty results.  Sort've that "practice makes perfect" thingy!

Paws_Bakery said:

Ruthmarie,

I taught myself to crochet, knit, can, freeze, all by books.  They are still a great reference for patterns and those not often used stitches, and recipes.

I think the show me and the reminder copies are the easist way to learn and remember when you're not at a computer. 

That's what I tell beginners that after practicing their tension will be more even. 

Oh yes, I agree …I'm largely self-taught by books (not a patient student -always reading ahead!).  And keep shelves of books for reference.  It took me a number of years when I started teaching handarts to realize that there were visual thinkers who learned easily from printed words, and then there were the conceptual thinkers who needed live demonstration (show me!) to flesh out what the heck those books were yapping about! <img class="sfsmiley" title="yes" onclick="sfjLoadSmiley('icon_yes.gif', 'yes', 'http://chickensintheroad.com/w…..eys/', '', '1');" src="../../../wp-content/forum-smileys/icon_yes.gif" alt="yes" />  This age of computers and internet videos has really advanced 'hands-on' know how.  I am boggled by where we are compared to 20 years …… <img class="sfsmiley" title="bug-eyed" onclick="sfjLoadSmiley('buggingeyes.gif', 'bug-eyed', 'http://chickensintheroad.com/w…..eys/', '', '1');" src="../../../wp-content/forum-smileys/buggingeyes.gif" alt="bug-eyed" />