Remembering how to crochet after not doing it for about 30 years

(Chapter 23 Living with a memory impairment and being a Nana in my book)

In May I found out that my daughter was pregnant which meant that I was going to be a grandmother for the first time. I was very excited, especially when she told me that her and her husband were expecting twins! In July, I found out that my daughter was pregnant with twin baby girls. I decided to crochet two baby blankets. The problem was that I don't remember crocheting anything since I crocheted a baby sweater for my son which would have been around thirty-three years ago and a baby blanket for my daughter about thirty-seven years ago.

What I decided to do was to research crochet patterns online and choose them according to difficulty. When I narrowed it down to one pattern that I really liked, I printed the pattern out. Then I found some yarn that I had and the right size crochet hook. I made sure that the pattern that I chose also had an online video because I knew that would help me. I practiced the pattern with any color yarn just to make sure that I could do the pattern. I didn't make the chain as long, but long enough to see the pattern. I had to keep crocheting a couple of rows, then I checked it to see if it looked okay. When it didn't, I pulled it out and watched the video again. After a while, I was finally able to feel comfortable with the pattern. Then I ordered the yarn online so that I could make the baby blankets. I was very happy with how they came out and proud that I was able to accomplish this. After I finished the blankets, I found a pattern for some baby blocks and some headbands. I decided to make the blocks and headbands.

When I crocheted the baby blankets the only way that I could keep track of what row I was working on was to write the beginning of each row down on a piece of paper. It read Row two: FPDC which meant front post double crochet. Row three: BPDC which meant back post double crochet. Otherwise, I would have been too confused and I probably would have been unable to complete the blankets. I tend to be stubborn so I usually try to figure out ways to still do the things that I want to do, in spite of my memory and cognitive problems. Years ago, I figured out that I am a visual learner, so videos also work very well for me.