My Masks Need A Mask

Now that the recommendations for avoiding the spread of COVID-19 include wearing cloth masks in addition to social distancing and hand washing, I’m trying to learn to make masks.  As are a lot people.

The more popular choice seems to be sewing pleated masks. 

I can’t sew.  And I positively hate the idea of sewing.  We don’t own a sewing machine.  We don't have fabric.  I think we have some needles and thread somewhere, but I wouldn't swear to that.  Honestly, there are have been times that I’ve super glued (or even hot glued) a button back on or a hem back in.  I.  HATE.  Sewing. 

But, there are also patterns for crocheted face masks. 

I’ve been trying to learn to crochet for about a year now.  I’m left-handed, which makes it a little harder to find someone who’s willing and able to teach me.  And I’m really NOT good at trying to learn something like that from a right-handed person.  My mom is right-handed and my dad is left-handed.  Dad ended up being the one to teach me to write, tie my shoes, and all of the things like that.  So my crochet progress has been slow.  Very, very, very slow.

I’ve been working on granny squares.  I think I’m slowly getting the hang of it, now that we’re not going anywhere, and I have more time on my hands.  I found a video that goes through everything, from the slipknot to tying off.  I’ve probably watched the video 100 times.  I’ve almost memorized the pattern.  I enjoy repetition, and it seems to be the best way for me to learn.

My stack of granny squares.

My sister (who has no desire to crochet) now has the idea that I know how to crochet.  She tagged me in a post on Facebook with a pattern for a crochet face mask.  It wasn’t in English.  So I looked for one that was.  I found several, but I’m not great at reading patterns yet.  I looked for videos and finally found one left-handed tutorial. 

I thought I could follow along with that one, but a few of the stitches were ones I haven’t learned yet, and the quality of the video wasn’t great, so I couldn’t quite figure it out.  I watched a few more videos and decided to try to make one on my own, using stitches I know. 

The basic idea seems to be a sort of pouch with straps, and you put a liner (coffee filters and cut up cotton t-shirts seem to be the popular choices) inside it.  Obviously, this isn’t a medical grade mask, and it’s certainly not any kind of sure protection.  But it is, apparently, one more layer of potential protection.  To me, that’s worth trying. 

When you’ve spent the last three weeks realizing that everything you’ve ever learned to do is absolutely useless in the midst of this pandemic, and you’re tucked up safely at home while people you love and care about are out in the middle of it, you grasp at anything you can do to possibly help protect them. 

So began my efforts at making what are surely the world’s ugliest masks.

This is the first one, which Nick wore to work today. 

Our neighbor works in a home improvement store, so I sent her a text (with a picture so she would know exactly how hideous it looked) and asked if she wanted one.  She said she did.  So I made a second one for her.

I don’t think there’s much (any?) improvement in this one.  Again, though, it should cover her nose and mouth, which is all it really has to do to serve its intended purpose.

I posted pictures on Facebook asking friends who crochet for tips on what I’m doing wrong, and how to do a better job.  Apparently I need to keep careful count of my stitches.  A friend, Jane, experimented and made one (that’s far less bulky than the monstrosities I’m making) and wrote out the pattern for anyone who wants to use it.  I’m going to attempt that one tomorrow.   Because, unfortunately, it looks like there’s going to continue to be a need for masks, so I’m going to keep at it.   Wish me luck!

Jane says she’ll have some classes and teach all of us who are trying to learn once this pandemic is over.  There’s talk of a crochet group.  I love that idea!  It’s something to look forward to, for one thing.  

So what about you?  Are you wearing a mask?  Are you making masks?  Have you seen a mask that looks more hideous than mine?  Any suggestions for how to make mine better?