so, i made it my mission to finally get crochet. it doesn't *seem* difficult, but i had just never been able to teach myself to do it. after lots of trial and error (and frustration), i think i finally got it. i started this blanket, and had actually gotten two blue bands, one more pink and was in another natural when it was just obvious i wasn't doing it right, so i frogged (unraveled) the whole thing, even the chain row, and started over. i made sure to read the instructions *carefully*, and it turns out i was skipping the chain 1, and not the first single crochet, and now i think i got it!!

i got the pattern from cozy crochet kit, which is related to the knit knack kit (i think; different authors) which i love. i recommend knit knack kit, i easily taught myself to knit (though i may need to find an experienced knitter if i want to do more advanced knitting) but the cozy crochet kit is not quite as clear...