Where did you learn to crochet? And make your own patterns?

[Tia Cherry]

I am sort of new to crochet. I have done quite a few things now but as I am looking thru some of the things on here that you all have made and im just in awe.

I would love to get to the point where i can make my own patterns up, i have so many ideas, but dont know how people write them.
Is it just time and you sort of know what stitches do what to make areas stick out or in? (haha if that makes sence). I have made a few basic Amigurumi things.

I would love to hear how other people started off and how they learnt what they know

[Amigurumi4Life]

I have been crocheting for about 5 years. I leaned from books and youtube. I love making my own patterns and I find it very easy to do. It took me a lot of practice and an EXTREME amount of unraveling to get as good as  I am now. 

[LordVader]

I've been crocheting for about 4 years or so.  I learned from my grandma's friend over Spring Break my freshmen year of college.  I had a hard time picking it up from her, so I was looking at some online guides and more or less picked it up.  I still haven't gotten past scarves, but I just found some patterns for a hat and an amigurumi or however it's spelled.

I haven't crocheted long enough to make my own pattern.  But I'm thinking of making a bag of sorts, like, just a regular everyday bag, just to throw stuff in.  I dunno yet though.  I have to finish my other projects first before I start on anything else.  I don't know if I'll ever write patterns or not. I just like making things!

[onelastminuet]

I've been crocheting since 2006 and I've made up some of my own patterns, occasionally I'll freeform things and not write things down, but I have written out some patterns before. I find that it's mostly practice that helps me, learning different stitches and such. Also, it does help to look at other patterns to see how they do certain things and taking that and learning from it. =) So just crochet, have fun and learn while you go.

[kyut530]

I've been crocheting for almost 2 years (summer 2008, I think). My grandma got me started with embroidery thread!! Tried for a week, got frustrated, and put it away for 2 weeks. My stuff started out paisley shaped--which was very frustrating--haven't the faintest idea why. Then, I got the itch to try again. Learned from her again, then made a small square w/ an A in it to practice switching yarn. After that I watched a few tutorials on youtube and random web sites, I made about 5 small granny squares. Soon after that I tried my hand at amigurumi--made 2 rabbits. Funny story on that, but I won't bore ya  . I've been working on stuffed animals (amigurumi) for the most part, but I've made 2 scarves, some fingerless gloves, and 2 necklaces as well.

Now, I'll hang out with some of my friends and learn a few ways of doing stuff...I also taught a friend how to crochet.

Mostly I read patterns, but I've been trying to make my own, writing it as I go---trial and error, as many say
(Usagi--the rabbit from Disgaea, was my own pattern that I should try again to perfect)

I should get back to crocheting as well, I have about 3 projects going at the moment--and a few more on my mind.

Good luck

[ademareej]

I've been crocheting for about 15 years.  I learned in 4-H.

The things that were most helpful to me:  having a good understanding of the different basic stitches/increasing/decreasing; looking at and crocheting lots of different patterns; and not being afraid to try something and take it out or start over if it didn't work.  Honestly, that's the biggest thing - just try it!  and if it doesn't work, well, that's what frogging is for...

[RyuuDolly]

I learned from the internet and very little from books.  Just experiment and make swatches of different stitches to compare with.   You eventually get the idea of how stitches will look when you crochet enough. Some people have to use patterns a bunch to understand + have it stick   and some can do it by looking at a picture (me xD).   

[oldlady]

I learned a few stitches when I was a kid but I never did very well because I would work too tight, I got frustrated and quit until about 18 months ago.

I taught myself through online tutorials.  I have written a couple of patterns that I have listed for sale and I have written a couple more patterns that I haven't perfected yet so they remain a personal pattern.

it just takes a ton of practice and miles of unraveling.

[FicklePegasus]

My mother tried to teach me about 8ish yrs ago, but it never worked out for me.  I ended up taking a class at Jo-Ann's and thats where I really took off  

I've done several afghans (all but 1 baby-sized, and larger and I get bored), several scarves, a couple ponchos and baby clothes.  1 adult size sweater and many many many amigurami. 

The ami I've done w/out a pattern have all been kind of intuitive, I've tried several times to write notes as I go along and just can't make heads or tails of them or what I'm doing is too hard to describe.  Some people aren't pattern-writers lol.  Don't let a lack of a pattern keep you from trying to make whats in your head, get ideas from other patterns and go from there.  Once you have the basics down, it'll be easy to come up with your own   (and as others have mentioned, done get discouraged when you have to undo everything you've done the past hour and start over, in the end it'll be worth it)

[PooseDeCat]

I am self-taught mostly but with a lot of help from the awesome people on this forum.  I also used the Happy Hooker which really helps when i'm in a pinch.  Fantasticmio was a LOT of help and I owe her my sanity BIG TIME!  I haven't written any patterns but am presently on my first attempt to combine two patterns into one afghan.  I doubt if I will make anything other than baby blankets and throws as that is all that appeals to me....and I also get bored with a pattern if I make it too often.  I think once you learn and get to know the stitches and how they work and interact with eachother, writing a pattern might not be that difficult?