Is Crochet the right Hobby for you?
You are probably here because you are looking for a side hobby and you are kind of wondering whether crochet is the right one for you. There are so many different hobbies out there to choose from, it can be overwhelming. There are many reasons for people to adopt hobbies - to keep themselves occupied, they might be looking for an escape from work, or they might just want something new to do.
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Why do people have hobbies?
Like I mentioned, there are many reasons to adopt hobbies, but most of all, I believe underneath those that I talked about above, hobbies bring happiness. When choosing a hobby to pick up, take the following considerations: a hobby that helps you to reduce stress, increase happiness, makes you more creative, more knowledgeable, possibly healthier and more sociable, and and if you are really lucky, maybe even make you money. Hint hint crochet does tick all the checkboxes, but read on to see if it is really suitable for you.
1) Are you an indoor or outdoor person?
I would say outdoor activities or hobbies are more experiencial in nature. These would include hobbies like hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, biking, climbing, camping or even fishing. Along the same vein, you would consider sports hobbies like swimming, golfing, archery, running, surfing, skateboarding, yoga or dancing. If none of these appeal to you and you say a preference for indoor activities, then consider the next question.
2) Community hobby or solo hobby?
Community hobbies would include a social element to it, like various types of games. Here that could include board games, card games, chess, puzzles and video games. That would include hobbies that would need others to join in as well, which mean you can't participate in it alone, for the most part.
If you chose indoor and solo hobby, then the next question should be...
3) Collecting hobby or creating hobby?
Collecting hobbies would include many popular collecting hobbies like toys, watches, stamps, coins, comic books, records, antiques and the list really goes on. If this does not really appeal to you and perhaps you want to achieve something practical at the end of the hobby, then consider the next question.
4) Do you like doing things with your hands?
That would include art or craft hobbies or food hobbies. Hobbies related to food would include baking, cooking, gardening, even coffee roasting or beer brewing. If arts and craft are more your thing, then it's starting to narrow down!
5) Do you like arts or crafts?
Some examples of art hobbies include calligraphy, colouring, writing, drawing, painting, pottery, photography, musical instruments. Any of these starting to sound more like you?
On the other hand, crafting hobby examples include candle making, embroidery, jewellery making, knitting, crocheting, leather crafting, scrapbooking, sewing, woodworking or even soapmaking.
If you like needlecraft specifically, that narrows it down to embroidery, sewing, felting, knitting and crocheting. Even then there are still a lot of options but many crafters who like any of these hobbies tend to like the others as well.
6) Why specifically crochet over other forms of needlecraft?
Let's think about how crocheting is different from other forms of needlecraft. Crocheting is easy to start off with, even if you just want to try, with minimal equipment needed - just a crochet hook and one ball of yarn (no sewing machine needed!). Which means it is inexpensive to try it out and it is very portable too! Also, the repetitive movements involved in crocheting can have a calming effect on the mind and body. Top if all off with creating something practical at the end tha you can gift! Read more in this blog post on 'What is crochet and why is it a good hobby?'.
7) What are the disadvantages of crocheting?
As an avid crocheter, this is not something most existing crocheters would like to talk about but I felt that was something worth mentioning since it is a common question. For every disadvantage, there is also a counter measure for it.
Common complaints I do hear about crocheting is that it is difficult to learn, which is easily mitigated with practice and good teaching resources, which is what I hope to provide here on this blog. Also, there are so many good teaching resources on youtube now compared to previously!
Another common issue is wrist pain, which is something that beginner crocheters sometimes face. There are a few ways to help prevent this, which include getting an ergonomic crochet hook, reducing your crocheting tension and using bigger yarn. There are certain techniques to help reduce this along the way, as you get better at it.
WIPs or works in progress is another frequent phenomenon especially for crocheters who choose to pick a big or long project. Therein lies the complaint that crocheting takes a long time, which can be true for certain projects like garments and blankets. I crocheted a pouf once that took me a month to finish, in between work and kids. My work around this is I like to crochet amigurumis, which are short and sweet projects that can be completed in a week or even in a day!
Which leads me to my next point, which is the reason that you will persevere through learning or finishing the final crocheted piece, that is...
8) What do you want to create in the end and who is it for?
Actually I would say this is probably the most important question of the lot because it is one of the greatest motivators of anyone picking up any new craft. Are you creating for your child, baby, spouse, mother, grandmother or a friend who is about to get married or just yourself?
The final piece when finished can create such a sense of accomplishment, which is something that some crocheters get addicted to. Top that off with that feeling of happiness when you gift it to someone and the look on their face when they receive it! Now that is something worth crocheting for.
If you are still figuring out if crocheting is something you want to try, check out this next article:
