Ellis has been learning how to crochet since last summer. She started by sewing in a 4-H project, but the sewing machine was not something she liked to use. So she dabbled with yarn and began watching a bunch of YouTube tutorials. She had lot of time to practice when Elliot had pneumonia last August and she had to isolate in a different room, so she wouldn’t get exposed. Previous to that, we had some fiasco crocheting experiences with Woobles, the popular crochet kit that is touted for being an easy way to learn how to crochet various amigurumi dolls. Both of us would get exasperated with the video tutorials Woobles provided and the ball of yarn would get thrown on the floor with us being in he sourest moods ever.
She began to crochet stitches with guidance from our 4-H sewing project leader, and she was able to crochet a square. Thus, her journey with crocheting an animal design began.
A few week ago, just for fun, I asked Ellis to submit a crochet duck to the annual Santa Clara County Fair exhibit competition. The process of her deciding and getting to it, as well as writing the description of it took lots of tears, attempts, and some mild tantrums. She wanted us to agree with her that one of the duck’s arms was normal size, but everyone in the family could tell that it was double the size of the other one. Oh boy, she was angry with us but she redo it except it took her 4 tries.
She submitted it without any expectation that she would get a ribbon or she might just get a participation certificate. However, she won a ribbon for her crochet doll! We’re so excited for her and I hope this encourages her to keep trying more designs and have more confidence in herself.
p.s. Thank you to M. for finding the duck at the fair and sending us a picture of it!!
40 responses to “Stylish crochet duck entry for the county fair; she won!”
Well done Ellis! 🥰
Thank you! She was surprised and so pleased!!
Was she following a pattern for the duck? I can crochet a bit but would find it very hard to create something like this. Persistence, and encouragement, pays off xx
Yes, she followed a pattern for the duck. The hat she freestyled. It was supposed to be tulip-like hat, but it ended up being a beret.
What do you crochet? It’s a challenging activity to keep the tension with the hook and yarn and to count the stitches.
Thank you!! I’ll let Ellis know about your message.
A long time ago I made matinee jackets and baby clothes, but I wouldn’t know where to start now xx
Oh my gosh, that sounds adorable!! So you knew/ know how to crochet. I wonder if your muscle memory will kick in if you try again.
The fingers are a bit arthriticky these days, Esther, so I’m probably not going to try xx
I’m beyond impressed! Not only is the duck cute, it’s far beyond anything I could create. It’s as good as any that I see from some crocheters who’ve been at it for years — and who sell their results on Etsy and such.
Thank you so much!! It was a work in progress and she’s made lots of little things, but the duck is her thing to make. You are too kind with your comment abut Etsy. She was actually considering selling some ducks at a 4-H farm stand where kids sell their baked goods, crops, eggs, and hand made things to the public.
🤗😎whoo-hoo!! 1st prize!! Awesomeness! That duck is super cute! 🥰
Thank you so much!! We forgot to name the duck, which is something we will do once we pick it up from the fair.
I’ll let Ellis know.
Congratulations for a job well done, Ellis! The duck is so cute. I am impressed with your hard work.
Thank you so much!! I’ll let Ellis know.
Congratulations, Ellis! The duck is adorable. Keep crocheting. Looking forward to seeing more of your work.
Thank you so much, Michele! I’ll let Ellis know.
She’s got the duck down, so we’ll see what she decides to crochet next.
Well done, Ellis! Congratulations on receiving the ribbon! I want to learn how to do it also.
Thank you, Miriam!! I’ll let Ellis know.
If you are interested to learn, I would start with YouTube tutorials for beginners. You can try out many content tutorials, because some content creators resonate more than others. I found that helpful for me, although I can only crochet a row of single stitches. As cute as the Woobles may lookk, I would not start with those kits. It’s simply too hard!
Congratulations to Ellis!!! 🎆
Thank you, V!! I’ll let Ellis know.
A huge congratulations to Ellis for her winning duck!!
Thank you so much, Liz!! I’ll let her know.
You’re welcome, Esther!
How fun and congratulations to Ellis for her prize-winning entry!
Thank you, Linda!! She wasn’t expecting anything and made sure to tell us not to expect anything when she entered it. But when our friend sent us the picture, she was so pleased and happy.
That is great news Esther. Ellis is very creative. I always remember the painting on glass from awhile back.
You remember that one?! Yes, that was a good one.
Thank you so much.
Yes, I do … painting on glass and it was very creative.
I wonder where that thing went. It’s good to know that it’s in my blog somewhere. Thank you for the reminder.
Yes, you should have had Ellis sign it in case she is a famous artist some day. 🙂
You are too kind!!! Thank you for your confidence.
You’re very welcome Esther.
Congratulations Ellis.Wow, what a lovely & Cute looking the duck 🦆. I am impressed with your hard work. So Smart Ellis.
Thank you so much!! I’ll let Ellis know.
Welcome 😊
Amazing! 🤩 congratulations Ellis!
Thank you, friend! I’ll let Ellis know.
My goodness, I was thinking about your mother and her beautiful crochet creations.
I learned to crochet as a kid from my grandmother, but my mother was a knitter, so I think of myself as a knitter more. Congratulations to Ellis, that is a great achievement, really teaching herself.
Knitting seems so much harder with two needles rather than one crochet needle! Thank you so much. She likes to learn at her own pace, so I have to leave her alone and nudge her here and there to continue or to challenge herself. I’ll let Ellis know!
Oh that little duck is so cute! Congratulations to Ellis for keeping trying, and for the win of a ribbon. I used to crochet little animals years ago, and they are fun to do. 🙂
Thank you! I’ll let her know.