Why I Taught Myself Crochet

I've been teaching myself how to crochet at almost 40 because I always wanted to learn. I tried briefly in 2015, but gave it up. I wasn't really at a place where I could learn this skill. My mind was too cluttered and frantic to appreciate the process or respect it as a craft. I didn't have the patience for it. And I was so focused on only learning things that I could eventually monetize that I just didn't see the point.

I eventually got over that. Tamra of 2015 couldn't (or wouldn't?) learn how to crochet. But Tamra of 2023 finally can. And it couldn't have come at a better time.

I have always found that I do my best thinking when my hands are busy and my mind can roam. With crochet the most I can do is carry on a conversation with someone. I can't scroll on my phone. I can't really watch TV (although I love putting on old episodes of Midsomer Murders or Marple). I have to be fully present in the moment, guiding each stitch.

For someone who's job is "phone", being forced to separate myself from my phone is a big deal. I needed this. And I'm so glad I can finally appreciate it. It feels good to finally do the thing you keep saying you'll do!

This is my first project. I'm making a blanket. I chose a blanket because I want to see how my skill improves as I go. And because it's going to be a throw blanket, I don't have to worry about it looking too perfect. It has one job: provide warmth and comfort. It doesn't have to be beautiful to do that. (Though I think it is kind of beautiful.)

Learning how to crochet was much easier than I anticipated. I started with looking up tutorials on YouTube and found a lot of success following this series: The Absolute Beginnger's Guide To Crochet by Bella Coco. I followed Bella along and thankfully she did a good job making it easy to keep up. After I felt confident with the first stitch I learned, the chain stitch, I spent 2 weeks just making long cords of chain stitches. I wanted to train my hands to become so familiar with the movement that by the time I took on more complicated stitches, I'd have some built in muscle memory.

I'm so glad I did it this way! Because the next stitch I learned is the single crochet or a US Single. And from here I worked my way down to where I'm at now. I've used 3 skeins of yarn and I'll be converting my 4th skein into a ball and prepping it for the next section in my blanket.

This whole process is time consuming, but it has been wildly beneficial for me. The benefits of doing crochet are improving dexterity and strength in my hands, improving hand-eye coordination, and improving my mental health by giving me a calm hobby to focus on. I think anyone at any age can learn to crochet!

If you've been putting off learning a new skill or trying a new hobby, I'm gonna tell you what you already know: get after it! Dare to try somethin new. And be bad at it. I'm not good at crocheting, but I am determined. And that makes up for a lot. Try something new before the end of 2023. You'll be so proud of yourself. I know I am.