7 Reasons Why I Crochet and You Should Too!

bramblesandhart
Jul 21
6 min read

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It’s no secret that I am crochet obsessed. From the moment I picked up a hook, 8 years ago (wow!), I completely fell in love with this craft and there's hardly a day that goes by where I don't pick up my hook.

There’s something so special about slowing down and making something with your own two hands. Whether you’re a busy mum carving out a few minutes of quiet time, seeking a way to ease stress and anxiety or someone looking for a new creative hobby, crochet offers so much more than just playing withe a ball of yarn and a hook.

Here are SEVEN reasons I think you should give it a go, even if you’ve never picked up a hook before.

1. It Sparks Your Creativity

You don’t need to be “artistic” to enjoy crochet. I definitely would never have described myself as artistic or creative before I began crocheting and honestly it’s not really how I’d describe myself now! The real joy of crochet is in the process; picking colours, choosing the yarn, learning new stitches and techniques, watching something grow from your hook one stitch at a time. As you go, you'll find yourself experimenting with different project types and yarns, developing your own style and with every project you finish your confidence will grow.

Even those questionable first attempts are something to be proud of! (I always remember my first attempt at an amigurumi dragon and my husband saying it looked like a cock sock 😂 It’s safe to say my amigurumi skills never really improved)

2. It’s an Affordable Hobby (or as affordable as you make it!)

Unlike many hobbies that require lots of expensive tools or materials, crochet is super accessible. A single hook and a ball of yarn are all you need to get started. Nowadays you can find these pretty much anywhere - I saw yarn in my local Tesco yesterday! B&M, Home Bargains, The Range and Poundland all sell yarn and crafting materials, you can head to Hobbycraft if you have one locally and don’t forget your local yarn stores! Of course, you can order from online craft stores such as Wool Warehouse and LoveCrafts or even Amazon but with minimum spends for free delivery you may end up spending more money than necessary.

When you are first starting out you can often reuse yarn or repurpose materials as you go. Frog a swatch once you’ve completed it and then practice another stitch. Once your skills improve and you feel ready t o tackle a project then you can buy more yarn, experiment with different hooks sizes and brands etc but still you can keep it as affordable as you want to.

Don’t let anyone convince you that you need an entire set of £30 each hooks and to only use £25 a hank hand-dyed yarn for your projects - yes these things may be beautiful but if you can’t afford them or simply don’t want to use them then don’t! (I personally don’t find the fancy ‘ergonomic’ hooks comfortable to crochet with!) Use the yarn, hooks and notions that are within your budget - there’s no yarn snobbery here!

3. It Teaches Patience and Promotes Lifelong Learning

Crochet is relatively easy to start but it never gets boring as there is always something new to learn and ways you can improve. Whether it’s a learning a new stitch you’ve never tried before, tackling your first garment or amigurumi project or learning to read patterns so you’re not totally reliant on YouTube tutorials, you’re always learning and there’s always something new to challenge yourself with. As an ex-teacher I am hugely passionate about encouraging a love of learning and crafts can be a great way to do just that!

As you experiment with your crocheting and work to improve your skills mistakes will inevitably happen, and as frustrating as frogging (pulling back your work) and starting over is you do learn to embrace it as part of the process. As previously mentioned, crochet is a slower craft and your perseverance builds patience and resilience which are skills you can use in your daily life not just when crocheting!

4. It Builds Confidence and a Sense of Achievement

As you learn and your skills improve you’ll find your confidence starting to increase. You begin to challenge yourself to try a new stitch or technique and when it finally clicks - it’s absolute magic! Every time you finish a project, even a small one, it feels amazing and you have that sense of ‘I made that!’ I think that’s really special. Crochet gives you tangible proof of progress, compare your first project to your tenth and you’ll be amazed by the difference. Each stitch is a step forward, and every piece is something to be proud of.

5. You Can Make Beautiful, Practical Things You Can Use!

One of the best things about crochet is that it’s practical and beautiful. Your time and effort results in something that can bring you joy for years to come. From cosy blankets and baby bonnets to cardigans, hats and market bags - there’s no better feeling than using something you made with your own two hands. And handmade gifts? Always a winner!

Crocheting is a slower, more thoughtful way to create the things you and your family need. Could I buy my boys new hats from Primark every winter? Sure, but then I wouldn’t get the warm and fuzzies every time I see them wearing it like I do when they’re wearing a beanie I made for them with love.

6. It’s a Gentle Way to Support Your Mental Health

Crochet has a calming rhythm that naturally encourages you to breathe slower and focus. It's no surprise that so many people turn to it as a way to manage stress and anxiety or simply to unwind at the end of a long day. I find a lot of comfort in crocheting whilst dealing with my anxiety.

When I’m having a particularly rough time it’s the thing I turn to rather than doomscrolling on my phone or laying on the settee bing watching Netflix, both of which have their place but when my anxiety is high they exacerbate the issue. Sometimes I need a really complex pattern that’s going to require all of my focus and attention so that my mind cannot wander. Other times I need a simple, meditative project, such as a ribbed beanie or ripple blanket, that doesn’t need my attention at all and I can just relax into the rhythm of the stitches. It’s like a mini reset button and I don’t know what I’d do without it.

Setting yourself mini goals with a crochet project such as ‘I will crochet two rows of my blanket today’ can be a gentle way to motivate and remind yourself that you are capable of doing things. Because you can do things, you’re amazing!

7. You Can Find Community ♡

Crochet is a lovely way to connect with others, I’ve made a lot of friends online through my crochet and they’re honestly some of the kindest most supportive people I know! Whether it's a local crafting group, a hosted CAL (crochet-along) online (like the Sirdar Halloween CAL that starts on 23rd July), or just sharing your makes on social media there’s a whole world of makers ready to welcome you into the community.

It's a shared language of stitches, a love of yarn hoarding and a whole host of abandoned WIPs (work in progress) and there’s always room for one more in the club so grab your hook and yarn and come join us!

Bonus reason: It’s a super portable hobby. I love to have a small project such as a hat, washcloth, a panel of a cardigan or something that I can pack into my bag when I go out and then whip out when I get a spare 5 minutes. It stops me from feeling like I have to reach for my phone whilst I’m waiting at the doctors or waiting to pick up the boys from Beavers.

Ready to Get Started?

You don’t need much to start, just a hook, some yarn and a little creative curiosity. If you're looking for a simple, beginner-friendly project to try, I’ve got plenty right here at Brambles & Hart to get you going. Try the free Flower Power Garland , get a Dino Beanie on your hook or if you're feeling ready for your first garment then the Hazel Cardigan is a great place to start!