I learned how to crochet this summer, and I think I'm progressing pretty well! I started out using established patterns and deviating from them a little (out of creativity and inexperience), but I think I find the greatest satisfaction when I do everything myself--from pattern conception to the final stitch. Here are a few photos:

I tweaked a pattern I found on http://www.ravelry.com/ for these little cuties. I'll weave that last thread in, I promise!

This was my first attempt at a beaded necklace, and I have grown quite fond of it, actually. It took forever to place each little seed bead on the thread, but it's a pretty neat little number. It curves in at the edges (one of those unexpected surprises) which adds a little dimension.

This is another Elyse original, born from thread, beads, and stuffing. That's right, I stuffed the tubular number with stuffing from the rear section of a crab-shaped pillow :). I'll be giving this to Amber as part of her birthday present. Happy 27th, sis!

...and finally, this is the top portion of a purse I'm in the process of making. I can't take credit for the pattern, however. It's supposed to look like a 3-D flower emerging from the bag...maybe the multicolored yarn throws my eyes off a bit. It was a really fast project to crochet (especially after all of that intricate beading madness I was doing earlier!).

I've made a few hats, but I don't have any pictures of them on my computer. I'm a little nervous to start crocheting clothing (I think that'll put me in the big league, and I'm liking the minors right now). We shall see!