i got debbie stoller’s the happy hooker yesterday… i started reading the beginning, and it was very fundamental, especially about yarns, hook sizes, what an LYS is, etc. but then we got down to the nitty gritty of the single crochet (which is the cast-on row of the piece). this part i can do; mom is a crocheter and tried in vain to teach me, but i wasn’t willing way back then. the best i could do is the single stitch chain to tie up the cardboard for recycling. not completely useless, but not a shawl either. i attempted to start the first row, but it became late and i became tired. i’ll try again tonight.