The art of crochet has been around for generations. Oftentimes that knowledge is passed down from one family member to another. That is how I learned to crochet. I had an aunt who taught me when I was a kid. She is 85 now, and recently taught me about Filet Crochet. But, if you don’t have a crocheter in your family, the advances in technology today have made it easier to learn to crochet!
Throughout this blog you will find links to various products. If you were to purchase any of these products, I may earn a small commission. As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
So Many Reasons to Learn to Crochet
Some people decide to learn crochet because they know someone who is going to have a baby and are inspired to make the new mother a blanket for the upcoming baby. Personally, I was a child when I learned to crochet. Then picked it up again in my late 20s or 30s.
In my 20s or 30s I found a knitting needle and suddenly remembered I used to know how to knit. Once I began searching online trying to re-teach myself, I realized I knew how to crochet and those needles were useless to me! I would still love to learn to knit as well, though.
Nowadays you can just go to YouTube and watch people crochet as they teach you! But just because learning is readily available doesn’t take away from the 7 reasons you should learn to crochet.
relaxing and stress relieving!
Crocheting is a major stress reliever for a lot of people. I cannot personally attest to this, but I see countless people comment about how stress relieving and calming crochet is for them in several crochet Facebook Groups. So if you are stressed, perhaps you should learn to crochet!
I guess for a lot of people it is a form of distraction. Instead of focussing on whatever is stressing you out, you focus on the item you are making or focus on counting your rows and stitches. There is something calming about the repetitive movements allowing you to let go of what is on your mind.
It has been documented that crocheting actually has health benefits. Apparently not only does it lower your heart rate and blood pressure, but it can also keep your mind sharp and potentially ward off Alzheimers!
So, if you need to relax, perhaps you should learn to crochet!
so rewarding
Over the years I crocheted many blankets for other people. I love being able to create something with my hands. The first project I ever did free handed was a baby blanket for my nephew when my sister was pregnant. I was so proud of it, and best of all, there’s not another one out there like it.
When my husband and I started dating I hadn’t crocheted in a long time, but I came into a good bit of yarn out of the blue. He didn’t even know I could crochet. I told him that I was going to crochet a blanket just to show him I could do it.
The colors I was given were an off white, a brown, and a variegated brown to white. I worked on it off and on for a while, even though I didn’t care for the colors. Eventually I had a continuous granny square blanket that would cover our queen size bed. Having made it myself, it is one of my most prized possessions.
I had never made anything that big, and I had never made anything for myself. It is one of my most prized possessions and it has kept us warm on many a cold night throughout the last 6 or so years. My husband was fascinated by my simple granny square blanket and loves to watch me crochet. I waiting on the day he tells me he wants to learn to crochet!!
a Cheap Hobby
Crocheting does not have to be an expensive hobby to maintain. Tough times we live in these days. People can’t afford to spend money on hobbies like we used to. I RARELY buy yarn and the typical craft stores. 99% of my yarn comes from thrift stores. I typically pay about $2 per skein.
If there was a specific project I was trying to do in a hurry I might have to go to a craft store, but generally I buy what I like and use it as projects arise. However, I will say that has recently come back to haunt me.
I will also add that if (when) you learn to crochet you will develop a yarn addiction, you may find that crocheting becomes an expensive hobby. The majority of the people who crochet tend to “collect” yarn. What I really mean is hoard. We love yarn. We cannot get enough!
I was in a thrift store recently and they had some gigantic skeins of yarn and a very good price, but I didn’t particularly like the colors. I did not purchase said yarn. Yesterday I was wanting to do a project for Fall and those colors would have been PERFECT! Lesson learned, BUY THE YARN!
can travel with you!
Crocheting is a portable hobby! Got a doctor’s appointment? Crochet while you wait, we all know there will be a wait! Going somewhere on a plane? Yes, you can crochet on a plane. It’s not even difficult to crochet in the passenger seat of a vehicle.
Crocheting also travels well. It doesn’t take a lot of space to carry a skein or 2 of yarn and a crochet hook. A lot of the crocheting I do actually takes place on my front porch in my rocking chair. So if you travel or have a lot of times where you have to wait for one reason or another perhaps you should learn to crochet and use up some of that time in a beneficial way.
an Artistic Outlet
It can be very artistic, especially once you understand enough about it to create your own patterns. I have only progressed to this skill level when it comes to certain simple items. But it’s a great feeling to have an idea in your head, pick up a crochet hook and some yarn and create what you see. No pattern needed, you know what to do to create the vision. I hope to continue to improve my skills to be able to do more of this.
curb cravings
Did you know crochet can curb cravings? Do you find yourself having the munchies while you are watching tv? Get something to crochet. When your hands and mind are both occupied you are less likely to eat those tv snacks. I find that I also smoke less when I crochet. Usually I’m so preoccupied with my crochet that I don’t even think about a cigarette! Are these the reasons you need to want to learn to crochet?
join our facebook group!
Crochet For Charity
Who doesn’t love a good charity to support? Not all of us are able to give money to our favorite charities, but there are so many ways you can donate your crochet! There is always a need for newborn hats in the NICU units, nursing home residents could always use blankets or lap blankets, hats and scarves are great for homeless shelters, and don’t forget the dog and cat shelters, perhaps they would like a blanket. If you have a giving heart, learn to crochet and you can give even more!
There is also a Facebook group called “Random Acts of Crochet Kindness” where people all over create crochet items to leave in random places for strangers to find. It is a way to brighten the day of someone you don’t know. Some of the posts on the Facebook page are from people who have found the items and not just from the people who have created them. People usually have a photo of the item they found and where they found it. It is just proof that people appreciate the random acts of crochet kindness when they find them!
Printable Worry Worm Poem
Enter your email below to get my free worry worm poem printable
