Hand-eye coordination, please

Remember this hobby? I had high hopes of using it to make a few Christmas presents. Since those hopes were smashed in the realization that the skill did not just "come" to me naturally, I'm free to tell you about learning to crochet.

I thought learning to knit or crochet would be great for making scarves, blankets, etc. First things first, though; I had to buy the supplies. Michaels should have a huge sign that says, "Beginners: buy this stuff" so that one would not get overwhelmed by the floor-to-ceiling baskets of yarn and numerous different needles and hooks. As a true beginner, I chose the softest yarn I could find and medium sized needles and hook.

With the first stitch, I learned that hand-eye coordination is a must. However, as I watch my teachers with their hooks, I realize my hands cannot put in action what my eyes are seeing. Not to mention, I am not good with right and left directions. Wow - frustration at the max. Twenty minutes later, I completed my first row of 20 stitches - a whopping 17 minutes after everyone else at the table. At least I kept the others amused with my outbursts of frustration.

I didn't help that I picked the coziest yarn out there. That stuff is for the pros. It frays and strings apart really easily.

The second row was not any easier. Actually, the second row took another hour to complete. Hands-cramped and eyes-crossed, I completed 2 more rows before leaving. I learned only 1 type of stitch and my crocheting at this point is very uneven. And as for the knitting, if I am having trouble with just 1 hook, we can just imagine how using 2 needles would go. Thus, no handmade gifts this year. Bummer...I guess I'll just have to go shopping!

When I got home, I practiced for two more rows and it seemed to be easier with every stitch. I don't think it is a lost cause, and I will keep practicing. I at least have the basics and hopefully I can learn some different kinds of stitching so that it isn't such a boring product. Don't laugh at it, but I took a picture of my progress:

Yup, that is all I got accomplished in 2.5 hours of HARD work. Big sigh.