Over quarantine, I had a lot of time on my hands as I’m sure did everyone else. While I did spend much of my time watching tv shows, sleeping, or trying the viral TikTok whipped coffee recipe, I actually picked up an old hobby of mine. Well, at the time, it was more of a passion project fail. Several years before, I had bought a ball of yarn and a hook and was determined to crochet. After about 5 minutes of foolishly trying to make a square, I gave up and stored away the yarn and hook deep into my room.
With the extra time on my hands during quarantine, I stumbled upon the ball of yarn and hook again, and I tried once more to make sense of this ancient magic. Turns out, I was much better at crocheting the second time, and I picked up the concept rather quickly. I learned several different stitches, and I haven’t looked back since. After that fateful day, my crochet skills have improved, and with that I’ve realized some great benefits to one of my favorite hobbies.
- great way to relax
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If you’re anything like me, thinking about all the assignments due at 11:59pm is constantly on your mind. What I’ve learned is that crocheting helps me forget about all that and leaves my mind to focus on the task at hand, which usually ranges from a granny square to a whole blanket. While you shouldn’t use crochet to procrastinate, it definitely is a great way to spend your study breaks. Depending on what you’re making, crocheting is also relatively portable, so you would definitely be able to crochet on your next coffee study date!
- get to make new friends
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I know what you’re thinking. Isn’t crocheting more of a one person hobby? How can you possibly make friends? Well, you’d be surprised by how many friends I’ve made by simply saying that I crochet. It usually leads to us showing off our crochet projects, which can actually make for great inspiration. Some colleges even have crochet or knitting orgs, which I would definitely recommended joining if you’re looking to make even more friends. If your college doesn’t have a crochet org, don’t fret! There are many crocheters who would love to hang and crochet. All you have to do is ask!
- Great way to stay focused
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I’m sure I’m not the only one, but when I have to watch a video for a class, I cannot stand still for the life of me. Everything else seems much more interesting than the 50 minute documentary my professor assigned. What I’ve found works for me is crocheting while watching. I wouldn’t recommend starting a brand new crochet pattern, but doing something repetitious like a pattern I’m comfortable with helps me tremendously. It’s a fool proof trick, and it usually keeps me focused enough to watch whatever I need to.
- always have gift ideas
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Trying to figure out what to get your best friend on her birthday when it seems that she has just about everything in the world? Well, crocheting has got your back. You can crochet just about anything for just about anyone, and who doesn’t love a handmade gift? Not only will you be saving on gifts, but there’s a high chance that no one will have gotten them the same gift. Most patterns are beginner friendly, and they usually can be done in less than an hour. You’ll easily become the best gift giver in no time with some decent crochet skills.
- get to make something new
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There’s not many times that we get to see a physical representation of our hard work. Yes, we can see that “A” we got on our last test, but it’s never something you can touch. Well, with crochet, you do get to feel the effort of your actions. Whether it be a tiny heart or a patchwork cardigan, there is always something tangible you can hold in your grasp at the end. That feeling of completion is something you’ll never get tired of.
So, what are you waiting for? Go to your local craft store and pick out some yarn and a hook and see what you can create!