Overall I think my inquiry went really well. My original plan was just to continue learning crochet which I already had some experience with but when I started my first project of creating a Squishmallow cover for my friend I realized crocheting using such large yarn was actually really difficult. This lead me to learning how to finger-knit. I never expected to learn finger-knitting in this inquiry project but I am glad I did! It was a bit of a learning process initially, because there are no patterns or videos online for how to make a squishmallow cover I had to use a video tutorial for just a circular pillow. I was kind of making it up as I went, loosely following the video and going through the process of trial and error to figure it out.

First attempt at squishmallow cover had big gaps in the stitches.

It took a few tries but eventually I figured it out and I was really happy with how it turned out. My friend loved the gift and I even had some of her friends ask me to make them one!

The final product of the squishmallow pillow.

Furthermore, I was able to take this new skill into my work. I run a crochet after school activity at the school I work at and I was able to teach my students this new skill. It was great for the students who were struggling with crochet and becoming disengaged. I plan to use finger knitting again to make my mom a blanket for mother’s day.

After I completed my squishmallow project I moved back to doing crochet. I tried to pick up a pillow case project I had started in December. The yarn I was suing wasn’t the easiest to work with and as a square pillow case I was just making a big square which got a bit boring so I abandoned that project to try something new. I talk about this project in a bit more detail here:

https://taelorbinquiry.opened.ca/wp-admin/post.php?post=199&action=edit

I was trying to decide what my new project would be when our Science instructor Erika Germanos announced that we would be hosting an Indigneous elder in the class. We all agreed to make something or bring something local for a gift basket for this elder. So I decided then to make a market bag to put in the gift basket. I had never made a bag before so I was a little nervous it would not turn out well but I found a really good tutorial on youtube and it ended up being pretty easy!

Youtube tutorial I followed

The first step of creating the circular bottom of the bag was probably the most challenging as it required a lot of increases in the number of stitches each round which I was not very familiar with. I really enjoyed this project and have started making another already! They are great gifts!

This opportunity to focus on crochet through a course was really great and lead me to learning new skills I would not have otherwise! Thanks Rich!