If you need somewhere positive to focus your energy and help calm your mind in 2020, look no further than crochet! A lot has happened so far this year and we are searching for ways to cope with the stress and change in our lives. I have found a lot of solace in crocheting. I’ve found it to be such a therapeutic art form that anyone can learn how to do! That is why I’ve put together this guide of why you should learn how to crochet in 2020.
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1. Crochet Keeps You Off of Social Media and Toxic News Sites
Once I started spending more time at home after in quarantine, I noticed that my phone was almost constantly in my hand. I was looking for a way to fill my newfound free time.
However, as we all know too well, social media and the news can easily become very negative and toxic. That is why I began instead to turn to crocheting and making as a way to fill that time. Instead of taking in negative energy from the internet, I find calm in the rhythmic motions of crochet and the soft feel of the yarn in my hands.
I also feel much more productive when I am crocheting rather than scrolling through the internet. I am using that time to make something that I can wear, use around the house, or give as a gift. This brings me to my next point….
2. You Can Crochet Gifts for Friends and Family Who You Can’t See
It has been really hard for a lot of us to know that we can’t visit our loved ones regularly. It hurts my heart because there has just been so much heartache and pain in the world this year.
I have found that one of the best and most meaningful ways to tell someone you love them (even from a distance) is to make them something with your own hands. Crocheting is perfect for this because you can make almost anything that your loved ones need or that will bring them comfort.
The following ideas come to mind: Blankets, slippers, face scrubbies, mittens, scarves, shawls, hats, hair accessories, tote bags, backpacks, hand sanitizer holders, plant hangers, coffee cup cozies, baskets, stuffed animals, pillows, organizers, and so much more!
3. Crocheting is Calming
The rhythmic movement of your hands and the soft, cozy yarn are some of the reasons why now is the perfect time to start crocheting. It really is a very calming and therapeutic hobby that will bring your mind back to the present moment.
Instead of letting your mind run become stressed, sit down to crochet. You will see that you will begin to feel much more relaxed and at ease.
4. It is Simple to Learn the Basics of Crocheting
I like to compare crocheting to playing guitar. Have you ever heard the saying that all you need to make music is 3 chords and the truth? Well all you need to crochet is 3 stitches and some yarn (well, you also need a hook but that’s not as catchy).
You will find that most patterns that you make are made of some combination of the same 3 stitches (chain, single crochet, & double crochet). Once you learn those stitches, it will make crocheting anything and even learning more complex stitches that much easier.
In fact, you could get started today and have a finished project by the end of the day or tomorrow!
5. You Can Crochet Just About Anywhere
I started crocheting as opposed to some other hobbies because of a very lazy reason (I hope you can relate to it, though!). The reason I started crocheting avidly, is because you can do it on the couch!
I wanted to be able to relax with my family in the evenings. My boyfriend and I will either watch a TV show together or listen to a podcast (we are really into the NoSleep podcast and Supernatural with Ashley Flowers, if you need some recommendations!). I didn’t want to have to sit at my desk or in another room in order to do my hobby.
This way I can do what I enjoy (crochet all the way) and still spend time with Jesse (boyfriend) and Charlie (puppy).
Not only that, if we’re willing to look into the future a bit, you will be able to bring your crocheting with you on airplanes and road trips. Just picture yourself making beautiful things while relaxing in a hammock on the beach… A girl can dream.
6. Beautify Your Space
Another reason you should learn to crochet in 2020 is that right now is THE perfect time to make your home your sanctuary. I have made a lot of changes to our space in the past few months that I didn’t have the time or energy to do before. Now, I am really focused on making my home my happy place. This is especially since we are here almost all the time for now.
You can crochet so many things for your home that will make it even more enjoyable to spend time at home.
Here are a few ideas of things to make that will beautify your space: Plant hangers, plant cozies, baskets, hanging baskets, organizers, throw pillows, throw blankets, rugs, curtains, stool covers, tissue box covers, placemats, and more!
7. Make Things Instead of Shopping for Them
If you were waiting for a money-saving reason (excuse?) to learn to crochet in 2020, here ya go! I know that I am guilty of doing a little bit of retail therapy every once in a while. However, once I started crocheting, that really slowed down. I realized that I could make so much of the stuff that I was shopping for. I could even make it look exactly like I envisioned in my head.
Crocheting things instead of buying the finished product can even save you money in a couple of different ways.
First, you are not impulse-buying. You have to make sure that what you are going to make is something that you actually want and/or need.
Second, oftentimes buying yarn is much cheaper than buying a finished object. For instance, I decided I wanted a new shirt and instead of buying one, I crocheted it! The yarn that I bought for the shirt happened to be on sale. In fact, I spent only about $4 for yarn for a whole shirt. I even have an entire skein leftover still!
8. It’s Okay to Make Mistakes
In order to stay safe and healthy, a lot of us are very vigilant about things like sanitizing and wearing our masks. I personally feel pressure to not mess up! It’s stressful to think like this every day, and that is exactly why you should learn to crochet in 2020.
Crocheting is a way to let go of feeling like we have to do things in a certain way. It’s also a very important skill to learn how to mess up and either go back and fix it, improvise a different solution, or just say “f*ck it” and move on. I can’t tell you how many times I have messed up a stitch or project and had to go back to fix it. Sometimes, depending on the severity, I don’t even worry about it (Or really I worry about it endlessly but just don’t bother to fix it, haha)!
You don’t have to be perfect by any means to get very good at crocheting and that is the beauty in it!
There is so much more that I could say about crochet and how it can really benefit you, but I think I will leave the rest up to you to discover on your own! Once you get started, I think you will realize that 2020 really is the best year to start crocheting and you will see all of the benefits that come with it.
If you are ready to learn to crochet in 2020, make sure you go to the Beginners, Tutorials, and Materials tabs for the resources you will need to get started!
