My husband is a complete beginner crocheter and he is working on his first project: a Giant Granny Square blanket. He has been a gem about letting me share his progress with you and although he is vocal about his embarrassment, I know that he is secretly pleased about your encouraging comments.
His blanket is halfway done now, so I have decided that I have given him enough time to get used to being “shared” sneakily on Social Media. I will now share his progress more publicly (provided that he gives me permission, of course).
This is Christiaan (Mr. Lookatwhatimade). Don’t drool too much!
In August 2014 I taught him how to crochet using Petals to Picots’ Granny Square Pattern, a Pony crochet hook, and Stylecraft Special Dk yarn (didn’t want him wasting my expensive yarn if he tanked)! Plus, I have a tonne of Stylecraft left from the Block a Week CAL last year.
To my amazement he didn’t only manage it, but managed it well. True that crochet granny squares are the best thing for beginners to learn on, but his tension was spot-on from the get-go.
What we soon realized is that the pattern, although perfect for granny squares, buckled when he tried using it for a continuous giant granny square blanket. That is most probably a case of “user error”. So I went and undid one of my granny’s granny squares and followed her pattern for his giant granny blanket.
I also bought him his own stash of Stylecraft Special Chunky from Deramores. This was the last progress photo I took. He has since added 2 more coloured bands (so 6 rounds in total).
Once I could see that it wasn’t just a fad and he would actually continue with his blanket, I (most graciously) allowed him to use one of my Clover Amour Crochet Hooks
Here you can see him casually hooking away while watching sport and drinking beer (to reinforce his masculinity). Don’t you just love the Ninja Turtles pajama trousers the boys got him for Christmas?
The tatty Rainbow blanket bundled up in the first photo was one of the very first things I crocheted using Hayfield Bonus Dk yarn. I can remember how horrified both of us were at me spending £10 on yarn (we were flat broke at the time). I made it for Number 2 (Jaco) and it is well-loved, well-used, and well-pilled.
The blanket over his lap in the second photo is my Lazy Waves blanket, made with Stylecraft Special Dk. (Personally I prefer the Stylecraft to the Hayfield, because it feels nicer – and it is cheaper as well.) The Lazy Waves blanket is visible in the background of most of our casual family photos because it is USED. ALL. THE. TIME.
Crochet is such hard work.
If Mr. Lookatwhatimade behaves himself (and completes this blanket), I will allow him to use some of my Scheepjeswol. If he DOES, I lose some yarn, but he will be an official “crocheter”. If he DOESN’T, I will be disappointed, but I will get to keep all my yarn to myself. Win-win either way, I think.
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Kellie says
My husband hasn’t been interested in attempting to crochet, but he loves to sit with me when i do it and he treasures the blanket I made him :). My children ( 1 girl and two boys) are all quite interested and have each sat with me and crocheted a few stitches of “dad’s blanket” as it was being made.
I have photos of my dad at 20 yrs old crocheting granny squares with my mum when she was pregnant with me to make my first blanket…. he was a solder at the time. I love that photo. i know mum loves those memories.
In my experience (and Im only a beginner) crocheting is a beautiful gift that gives in so many ways…..
Jenny says
Hi Kellie! We couldn’t agree more!
Happy hooking :)
Paddy Balsdon says
Fantastic! Your man is a real man because real men don’t bother themselves with what other people think. The beautiful Aran sweaters were knitted by fishermen and nobody had a problem, so why can’t men knit or crochet?. They will slowly learn the secret – those of us who knit, crochet, embroider or whatever have no need of drugs because the handcraft is the best soother money can buy. And there is something to show for it at the end. So may the Uys family continue to crochet together.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Paddy. I love that the boys are as invested in my makes and yarn as I am :)
Misung says
Hi Dedri !!
Your positive mind about Mr Lookatwhatimade’s crochetting is so impressive and make me smile.
Your kiddys take my sight… cus I’m a pediatrican.
anyway thank you for sharing.
I have my own Sophie… You did a great job. it’s beautiful.
Your family looks so beautiful !!
Take care..
Dedri Uys says
Hi :) Thank you so much. My boys are my pride and joy. They are a lively lot!
Meme Smith says
you are so lucky you even got your man to try to crochet as mine won’t. I have crochet since I was 12 therefore its (oh my age) 50 yrs now off and on especially now I’m older and creakier. I need to crochet my bones to health etc. Do you think that was his one and only go, would love to see him keep it going. Good for the children to see that not just little old ladies knit and crochet
Dedri Uys says
Hi Meme.
He enjoyed it and has expressed an interest in doing something more tricky, so I def don’t think this will be his last :)
Shalla says
A new subscriber. Found your site accidently and fell in love with your work. Like your husband’s blanket too. Think I shall make one for my next grand child. Inshallah. Thank you for sharing your beautiful work.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Shalla. Thank you!
Jana says
Oh I clicked on your Clover link and I don’t see them 40% off. Is there a coupon code for checkout?
Dedri Uys says
Hi Jana. They are usually $75 and are currently $37, which is half price :)
Jana says
Awww this is so wonderful! Have your boys already started learning to crochet? What a lovely tribute to you that your hubby was a willing participant. It will go a long way toward your boys learning.
Thank you for sharing Dedri. You are in my thoughts often as I race to make at least 4- 6 more charlottes before Jan 11 for my girl’s 30th BD!!
Wish me luck. My own BD is tomorrow!! 62!
Dedri Uys says
Hi Jana. I hope you had a wonderful birthday and that you are speeding along with your Charlottes. My husband is a good egg :) Pieter can crochet a bit. The other two want to learn, but we haven’t gotten around to it yet.
Helen White says
When I worked at Barnes Hospital in St .Louis with 3 neuro psychiatrists,, on my lunch hour one time, I crocheted a beautiful one big granny square for one of our patients. It was a gift to her.
Did you know that a family that crochets together, stays together.? HA!
Dedri Uys says
I am sure she appreciated it a lot!
Elizabeth says
Dedri I think your husband is amazing & his blanket looks awesome well done to your hubby i live in New Zealand & I would love to see our men knit & crochet there is one young guy on the train that I get home from work each night and he knits & he does some lovely work
Cheers
Elizabeth Rose
Dedri Uys says
I think he’s pretty amazing too, Elizabeth :) My sister live in New Zealand. I dream of visiting her there!
Jolene says
Now, what is the trick on the crochet of a giant granny
Dedri Uys says
2 things, as far as I can see: turn at the end of each round so that the back of your last round is always facing you (that way your square doesn’t ‘twist’), and make only 2 ch in the corners and 1 ch between 3-dc groups, instead of 2 ch between 3-dc groups and 3 ch in corners…
Dedri Uys says
Hehe, wouldn’t that be great!
Kathy says
Just wanted to leave a “Thank You” comment. I am a subscriber and get your emails and follow along with your projects. I have LOVED all your patterns and ideas, and just wanted to say Thank you for sharing with all your fellow crocheters.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Kathy.
Thank you :)
Linda Evers says
I appreciate your husbands participation in your art. It will help to keep your family close.
Jenny says
Hi Linda!
I love Mr Lookatewhatimade’s crochet too! I sometimes wish I could persuade Mr Jennybugs to have a go :)
Caro says
Days gone by? Men were the fibre artists – we females are latecomers to the craft. Soooo… equality is both male and female, without stigma etc., crocheting, knitting etc. Well done to your husband – many would envy the way he’s so quickly picked it up; perhaps he’s using ‘past life’ skills? :)
Pat says
Caro & Dedri, when I was teaching crochet to kids, that is what I told them. I found that telling them how this work started out, they then all put their best efforts into learning what I was trying to teach them and it was fun and hard work for all of us. The boys were better at the embroidery than the girls were. Crochet & Knitting were a toss up who did the best as we had a couple kids really struggle with the basics but they kept on. It was nothing to see me sitting on the steps during our free time with half a dozen teens and pre-teens around me all knitting or crocheting furiously.
Becky Bivens says
You are all so cute, I love seeing these things about you and your family. Thanks for everything you do !!!
Rebecca says
Imagine this…a big tough farmer with callused hands who worked hard with his hands all his life…who often fell asleep whenever he sat down for a few minutes…got it in mind?
This farmer was my father-in-law, and when he semi-retired he had a bout with depression. When he was in the hospital for treatment, he learned to crochet in occupational therapy.
I find it so heartwarming to see those rough gnarled hands making such beautiful and sometimes even delicate things!!
Share with your husband that real men crochet! :)
Dedri Uys says
Ah, Rebecca, that is so great. I don’t think there is anything more beautiful than rough hands making delicate things. Real men DO crochet!
Hannah says
Great job, it’s beautiful