When life gets busy, my crochet hook is my anchor. It’s what I turn to to bring some calm into my day and to help my body relax. And the further we get into this year, the closer we get to the Christmas season and all the end of year activities, the more I rely on my crochet to calm me.

How about you? Is crochet your anchor for calm too?

Crochet has been shown to calm the mind and calm the body. There is something about the rhythm of the hook and the yarn and just letting it all flow that makes everything feel better.

There is a reason that crochet has stuck around for decades. Even before it got ‘cool’ it has been there in the background being loved by millions of people around the world.

I never expected crochet to be so calming. But the more I crocheted, the better I felt. I got addicted and then started teaching others with the hope that they would feel the benefits and get addicted too…

My Granny was always crocheting. Even when her hands were sore and she added the end of a pen to her hook to make it more ergonomic (before ergonomic hooks were a thing!), she kept on going. And now I have an idea of why.

Crochet is more than creating pretty things. It’s more than being able to gift what we make. There is an undeniable physical benefit to it.

If you’re not feeling calm when you crochet, then let me help you.

Start by finding something that is really easy for you to make without having to stop and think about it. If in doubt, your basic granny square is a really good go to. Create a space where you can crochet in peace and quiet, even for 5 or 10 minutes, and just focus on your hook and your yarn. Forget about what it looks like. Just sit, relax, breathe and crochet.

And if a granny square is beyond your skillset, just make a chain. Even that is calming if you don’t need to keep track of the counting…

And as we lead into the busy end of the year it is important to schedule the time in, especially if it isn’t a habit yet.

Get up 15 minutes earlier if you need to so that you can savour the early morning quiet and just sit with your hook. Make sure everything is available and ready to go and just sit and enjoy it. Add one more row or round to something you’re making. Start a square with no intentions other than to make it – you can decide later what to turn it into.

If the morning doesn’t work for you, try to slot it in to your lunch break, or while you’re waiting at kid pickup, or before you head to bed at night.

All it takes is 5-10 minutes to feel better.

If you wish for more crochet in your life but struggle to justify it, come join the Hooked on Crochet Club. Being part of a community of other like-minded women will give you all the motivation you need! I will always encourage you to fill your cup first so that you can be the best version of you, and if crochet helps with that (which it will) then we’re here for you!

When has crochet calmed you down and been your anchor? We would all love to hear!

Seona x