Why I Crochet

Hey there! I’m Angela—a mom, an animal lover, and someone who’s always been creative. Oh, and I used to be a graphic designer, and yes, I bake too! But today, I want to talk about something that’s been a part of my life for 15 years now: crocheting. If you’re reading this, I bet you either crochet or are curious about it—and I’m here to share why I love it so much. So grab a cup of tea, get comfy, and let me tell you why I crochet.

It All Started with Frustration

It might sound a little strange, but my journey with crochet actually began out of frustration. About 15 years ago, I was trying to learn to knit. My sister was knitting a scarf, as we all do at some point in our lives, and I thought, “How hard can it be?” Well, let me tell you, it wasn’t as easy as it looked. I kept dropping stitches and having trouble keeping my tension right. After a while, I just gave up. But being the stubborn person I am, I wasn’t ready to give up on making something with yarn.

I jumped online and started searching crochet content. I didn’t even know what crochet was all about at the time—just a bunch of loops and hooks, right? But it looked a lot more doable than knitting, so I decided to give it a try. I’m so glad I did.

A Changing Community

When I started crocheting, there wasn’t nearly as much information available online as there is now. The internet was a little more basic back then, but even so, I found a few blogs and YouTube videos to help me learn. It makes me so happy to see how much the crochet world has grown since then. Today, it feels like there’s a whole army of crocheters out there, and we all have access to amazing tutorials, patterns, and communities online. It’s like a big, happy crochet family, and it’s exciting to be part of it.

Why Crochet is So Addictive

Now, let’s talk about why crochet is so addictive. If you crochet, you know exactly what I mean. It’s hard to explain, but once you start, it’s hard to stop. You get lost in it. It’s not just about making something pretty with yarn—it’s about creating something, about making a piece of art with your own two hands. Each stitch feels like it’s adding to a story, and there’s something so satisfying about seeing that story unfold.

But it’s not just the creation itself—it’s how crochet can make you feel. I’ve read that when you crochet, your brain releases serotonin, which is the same “feel-good” chemical that makes you feel happy and relaxed. I don’t know if that’s true, but I can tell you that when I’m crocheting, I’m in my happy place. It’s a lot like meditation for me—repetitive movements, calming focus, and no worries. It’s just me and my yarn.

The Beauty of Crochet’s Math

Okay, I’m going to admit something—crocheting is like a puzzle, and I’m a bit of a nerd. Crochet has a lot to do with shapes and numbers, and believe it or not, I love that part of it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been working on a pattern and I’m like, “Okay, if I do this stitch here and this stitch there, it’ll come together perfectly.” It’s like solving a little math problem, and that’s really fun for me.

In fact, I’m kind of glad I did some math in school, even if I didn’t always pay attention. Crocheting is full of numbers and calculations, and I never realized how much I’d use those lessons. The challenge of getting everything just right, from the stitch count to the shape—it’s all part of the fun!

The Magic of Yarn Stores

If you crochet, you know what I’m talking about when I say that yarn stores have a special kind of magic. The moment I walk into a yarn store, I feel like I’ve stepped into another world. The colors, the textures, the endless possibilities—it’s all so inspiring. I can spend hours just looking at different yarns, feeling them, imagining what they could turn into. And there’s always that one perfect ball of yarn that calls to you. I get this laser focus when I’m in a store, and it’s like nothing else matters except for the yarn in my hand.

From Hobbyist to Designer

Crocheting started out as a way for me to relax, but over time, it became something more. There was a point when I just couldn’t find the exact pattern I was looking for, so I started designing my own. I’m not a professional designer—I just wanted to make things my way. Creating my own patterns has been a huge part of my crochet journey. It’s a lot of work, and it takes time, but when the pattern finally comes together, it’s the best feeling.

Honestly, it can take weeks or even months to get a pattern just right. There’s a lot of trial and error involved, but that’s what makes it so rewarding. And the fact that I’ve been able to share these patterns with others has been amazing. It’s so cool to think that people from all over the world are using my designs to create their own crochet projects.

The Uniting Power of Crochet

You know how sometimes when you’re crocheting, you say, “Not now, I’m counting!” Well, that’s become a kind of joke among crocheters, hasn’t it? It’s one of those little phrases that unite us all. I see it on memes, on T-shirts—it’s a badge of honor for crocheters everywhere. When we say it, we’re telling people that we’re in our zone, counting stitches, working through a pattern, and creating something. And honestly, those words have become a funny and heartwarming part of what connects crocheters across the globe.

Why I Keep Coming Back to Crochet

So, why do I crochet? I crochet because it makes me feel happy, peaceful, and creative. I crochet because it’s something I can always turn to when I need a break from the world. I crochet because it connects me to a community of people who get it, who understand what it feels like to be lost in the rhythm of the hook and yarn. It’s a simple thing, but it’s a big part of my life, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

If you crochet, I hope this resonates with you. If you haven’t tried it yet, maybe it’s time to grab a hook and see what happens. You never know where your journey with crochet might take you.

Happy crocheting!