I have been crocheting for many years now. I plan on crocheting for many more. I have many new techniques to practice and master. I can not imagine not crocheting. Learning to crochet helped me learn so many wonderful things that helped me become the adult I am today. I can’t imagine enjoying things in the same manner had I not learned to crochet.

Crocheting taught me to follow directions. There is a step by step process when you are following a pattern. I am not a directions follower, I have always wanted to figure it out by myself and learning to follow the instructions given has been invaluable for me both in college and at work. It helps to understand that sometimes there is a process and to get the results you want you need to follow that process.

Crocheting also helps with cognition skills. Reading of the patterns can be very thought provoking, and understanding the symbols given on a graph invokes another whole area of the brain to begin its work. Its amazing to me even now that I can begin with a skein of yarn and end up with a beautiful piece of fabric. That process itself is very fulfilling. It keeps my mental energy working on many different levels. I enjoy knowing that I am strengthening my brain while doing something I love to do.

Crocheting has taught me patience. Crocheting takes time. It takes planning. There are projects that I have worked on for years. With some projects you have to plan out your time a bit more carefully than with others. There have been projects that I thought I would never finish, that I wasn’t sure I wanted to finish. I have gotten so tired of certain stitches (the single crochet stitch comes to mind here), that I was sure I would just rip it out and start with something new. However, I would look at how much I had already gotten finished and didn’t want to rip out all that work, so I have plowed on hoping to get through it quickly. Those pieces that were the hardest to get through have become the most treasured of the projects I have completed. I learned that if you stick with it (whatever it may be), you may be wonderfully surprised at the outcome.

Crocheting has also strengthened my desire to be creative. Imagination is a very important aspect of creating something. Your mind’s eye must be able to visualize the outcome. Now, not always does it come out like you have envisioned but most of the fun is getting there anyway. I go through magazines and get inspired to try different techniques, different and new stitches, and alternate methods of joining. Crocheting is a wonderful avenue to work with all kinds of mediums; the only limitation is your imagination. I love being able to use so many wonderful color combinations and so many different types of yarns, plastic, wires, really the list can go on and on.

Crocheting is very calming as well. Yes I do get frustrated while learning a new technique or stitch that I haven’t mastered yet, but once I learn it, I also have a great sense of accomplishment. When I am upset or sad or angry, I always turn to crochet. I can sit and think through a dilemma if I need to or I can choose a project that takes all my energy and not have to think about the issue at all. It’s the best of both worlds. Crochet is really a magical place to go to when you need a little de-stressing. In today’s society a little de-stressing can go a long way.
So if you haven’t picked up your yarn and hook lately you may think about it a bit differently today. Perhaps you have a couple of gifts to make before the holidays, well why don’t you take that little mini vacation to crochetland and take a break from all that has you bogged in and create something new, with new energy flowing through it and yourself.

I would love to hear about what crochet has taught you about life. Come see us on the forums and join in on the discussion.