Crochet Challenged

After 5 attempts to start a crochet pattern with Caron's Simply Soft, I finally had to give up and switch to a knit baby blanket pattern. I don't like to give up, but with the impending February birth followed by another in March the time I have to finish the blanket is limited. I'm somewhat upset that I now have given up on 2 patterns since I picked up crochet, but the speed in which the Pine Forest Baby Blanket is knitting up is rather consoling.

Perhaps I need to start another crocheted afghan for the house for more practice.