Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SBU chapter.

I know many people in my life who suffer from, “I have nothing to do except scroll on my phone” syndrome. I still fall into that habit today sometimes, believe me. However, I have something else to distract me from the mundane moments in life: I know how to crochet. 

Back in 2020, when it seemed like all I could do was watch the latest Netflix show that came out, scroll on TikTok, or take a nap, I realized I needed to get a new hobby. Then, I started to see people crocheting sweaters or blankets on TikTok and figured I should give it a try. So when Christmas came around, my family gifted me with my first hook and yarn, and the entire month of January I spent dedicated to learning the art of crochet. 

Let me just say, it was not easy. There were many times I wanted to give up. The farthest it seemed I was ever able to get was make one row of stitches and then everything would go downhill from there. I would always end up with a tangled mess of yarn that looked nothing like the simple drink coaster I was trying to make.

Eventually, I got the hang of it after I found a really good crocheter on YouTube that explained everything at the perfect pace for me. After that, I only got better. 

Now I’ve made scarves, bags, hats, a blanket, and I just finished a little shrug sweater. It’s become a great past-time activity for me, and it’s so satisfying being able to create something entirely unique. It’s like I’m my own little fashion designer.

This pride in your work can go along with any hobby. You could learn to sew, paint, draw, knit, or even get into woodworking. Anything that could help get you in tune with your creative side is great. Everyone has a creative streak in them, it’s just about finding what works for you. 

There are so many perks to having a crafty skill up your sleeve. Here are some ways that knowing how to crochet has come in handy for me:

Curing Boredom

As I mentioned before, crocheting is a great way to pass the time. It keeps your hands busy and is a much needed break from work and an ever increasing screen time during the day. When you have another option of something to do when you’re bored, besides relying on technology, you’ll feel more productive rather than feeling you lost time to doing nothing at all.

A Great Gift

I’m sure you’ve been in that tough spot where it’s someone’s birthday or a holiday and you don’t know what to get them. Having a hobby that is essentially just making stuff is a great resource to rely on. Just make something yourself! It could be something as simple as a little painting of a cat, or a little egg plushy (My friend gave me one of those a while ago and I still have it today). A handmade gift comes off as thoughtful and unique rather than just a store-bought card and a coupon to a restaurant in town, though those types of gifts are still great every once in a while. Plus, no one can dislike something you spent so much time on, that would just be rude!

Subtle Flex

There is no greater feeling to me than to be walking around wearing something that I made, getting complemented on it, and getting to tell them that I was the one who made it. It just fills you with confidence. Soon enough you’ll be having people coming up to you asking if you could make something for them (maybe they’ll even pay you).

Want it? Make it!

When you have a hobby that involves making something that you could wear or use as decoration, the days of wanting that expensive piece from Anthropologie are over. You can just make it yourself! The best part is, you tailor make it to look best for YOU, and you can pick and choose what you want and what you don’t so you’ll truly love what you’ve made. You never have to settle for only what’s available again!

You’ll Always Be Interesting

Being able to say I know how to crochet has come in handy when going through those awkward introductions you go through when meeting new people. People want you to tell them about yourself and having a creative hobby to talk about is always a great way to start.

Overall, having a hobby that gets in tune with your creative side allows you to take a break from the rigid structures of everyday life in school or the workplace. Think of it as a brain break to let yourself create outside of rules or expectations. So, get out there and get creative!

Jessica Wikander is a second year member of the Her Campus chapter at St. Bonaventure University, and loves to write about topics such as movies, books, music, and so much more. She is also always looking to get more involved in the world of writing, editing and journalism in and outside of school. Jessica is a sophomore at St. Bonaventure University and is a strategic communication and literary publishing & editing double major. Along with Her Campus, she has joined other on campus media outlets such as The Buzz, the campus radio station; and the BonaVenture, the campus newspaper. She also is a part of SBU for Equality and the Jandoli School Women in Communications group. Back home, Jessica works at her local public library where she has grown to love being surrounded by people who shared the same love of books and writing as her. On her own time, Jessica enjoys reading. She is a lover of classic literature, fantasy, and literary fiction. She also loves to crochet and is trying to learn how to knit. A comfort show of hers is New Girl, and is an avid period drama watcher and enthusiast. She is open to any discussions on her favorite pieces of media and is always looking for new recommendations of things to watch or read.