Passing the Torch (and the Yarn) to a New Generation
Finding My Way Back to the (Crochet) Hook
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but they never said anything about a nomad with a YouTube connection. My first attempt at crochet in the 90s was a battle of pattern books and dial-up speeds that I ultimately lost. But in 2020, sitting in a church pew watching a friend create a masterpiece, I realized something: maybe I didn’t need a faster friend, I just needed a ‘replay’ button.
Back in 1995, I was very pregnant with my second child and in desperate need of a hobby. My best friend was a pro—her hook moved so fast it was a blur. I wanted so badly to make my baby a blanket, but being a visual learner in a pre-YouTube world was tough. If you didn’t have a relative nearby who could slow their hook down, you were stuck with those cryptic pattern books. I finished that one blanket, but that was the end of my crochet journey… or so I thought.
In 2020, I encountered a friend at church who motivated me to give crochet another shot. Thank you, Karen! She was creating a lovely sweater, which inspired me to give it a try once more. I figured that with YouTube, I could actually succeed this time! And I did—I made a hat. I discovered that I could rewatch the stitches on YouTube, which was incredibly beneficial. I could slow down the videos, something a friend or family member wouldn’t be able to do. I became completely hooked—literally! Then I started living as a nomad and found myself in need of more hats and scarves. I also wanted a craft that wouldn’t occupy too much space. Little did I know how wrong I was! My yarn stash is currently trying to stage a take-over!! Now, I can’t get enough of crochet. I experiment with everything—hats, purses, blankets, potholders, amigurumi, and more!
As my skills grew, so did my creativity. I began exploring different yarn types and colors, mixing textures to create unique pieces. Each project became a personal challenge, pushing me to learn new stitches and techniques. I even started gifting my creations to friends and family, which brought me immense joy. The community I found online also encouraged me to share my work, leading to connections with fellow crochet enthusiasts.
My great-grandmother’s Afghan
What truly excites me is that my enthusiasm has also influenced those close to me, including my daughter and granddaughter. I have fond memories of my great-grandmother crocheting during her visits. My mother is skilled in knitting and sewing, while my grandmother was a professional artist. My daughter possesses remarkable talent, among others in our family. It seems that creativity runs in our veins. I take pride in sharing this passion for crafting with my children, grandchildren, and now with friends like you.
I wanted to share some of the projects I’m currently engaged in. I spent some time focused on amigurumi, but now I’ve shifted my attention to making purses. Do you ever experience that? Getting really into one kind of project and then shifting to another passion? Lately, I’ve been experimenting with different patterns and colors for the purses. Each design feels like a new adventure, full of possibilities. It’s exciting to see how each piece reflects a little bit of my personality.
What have you been working on lately? Who has influenced you in your journey? Comment below and let me know! I look forward to hearing from you!
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