I. Am. Gobsmacked.

I do a few different crafts, sew, and quilt, but somehow I never learned to knit or crochet.

I have always wished I knew how, and have seen so many beautiful crocheted hats and blankets lately that I have told myself I needed to learn, but had no idea where to start.

I have actually bought yarn in the past just because it was pretty, without any clue how much I would need if I was actually going to make something. Most of it ended up being donated to my kids' classrooms after I had looked at it long enough to feel guilty about hoarding it.

A year or more ago I (email) subscribed to a free crochet newsletter which includes some simple patterns, but I didn't know the first thing about how to get started (like what kind of crochet hook I needed), so they piled up in a folder. Recently I printed out a lot of "single skein" projects, thinking a project that could be finished quickly, and without a huge investment, might be a good start. That's as far as I got.

It is all pretty overwhelming, which I suppose is why they offer CLASSES.

I put a note in my bio about wanting to learn crochet, and as fate would have it, I got matched with a CROCHET INSTRUCTOR!!!

How awesome is THAT?

She picked out a GREAT purple yarn (cotton, after she asked if I prefer natural fibers) and a purple/grey/black variegated yarn, plus black and grey skeins to complement them. I told her that, although my favorite color is purple, I also have a soft spot for lime green, but I mainly wear grey and black. She even put in a skein of lime green, and it is gorgeous!

She also sent me a whole set of crochet hooks in a really nice case, plus some other tools I need to figure out... Luckily, she also sent a book that looks like it will walk me through the learning process.

The book alone was more expensive than the $20 suggested gift price (the SHIPPING was more than $20!), and I know this amazing, soft, beautiful yarn was not cheap. ONE skein would have given me enough to practice and learn with, and I doubt I needed a full set of hooks, but my Santa went WAY beyond the bare minimum. Instead of skinny metal crochet hooks (the only kind I knew existed) she sent a cheerful, color-coded set with bulky handles, which is great because I sometimes have problems with gripping things due to Chronic Lyme Disease, which I doubt my Santa even knew! I am sure that once I figure out all the other bits and bobs, I will be able to make something amazing. Having the right tools makes it so much easier to get good results.

My Santa is the most thoughtful, generous person I have never met, and I am over the moon right now!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I am so excited to learn a new skill, and plan to look through the book tonight so I can get an idea of what sorts of things I can make. I am looking forward to making a few Christmas gifts this year... but not with THIS yarn... This is MINE!!!