This is the time of year when many of us start to do a reassessment of life and what is improtant to us. It can be a time when we reset our priorities or make a pact with ourselves to finally start something new or get back into something that we once loved. Crochet might be one of the things that is on your list!

Life might have gotten in the way, which is totally normal. The amount of time we need to spend on our children as we raise them, how demanding work can be, the expectations we put on ourselves to do ‘everything’ until something has to give. And quite often the thing that ‘gives’ is something that is important to us because as women we’re conditioned to put everyone else before ourselves.

If crochet is something that you once loved before life got in the way, then welcome back! My first request of you is to be kind to yourself as you start back up again. There will likely be times when life pulls us away for days, weeks, months or even years at a time. I want to help you make it easier to come back to, and for you to come back to it more frequently when life does interfere.

The first step is to create a space for yourself where you can sit and crochet. It can be as little as a single chair with a basket it beside it. I would encourage you to make your crochet tools easily acessible so that it is not an effort to sit down and get started.

The second step is to test out what you still remember. There is no harm in going back to basics (and I will always encourage it) to see what it is that you remember and what it is you need to be reminded of. The last thing you want to do is get started on a project and have to spend most of your time trying too remember what it is you need to do. Practice a chain, practice your basic stitches and just focus on getting back into the ‘swing of it’.

Once you’ve nailed down the basics it’s time to get started on a project! I would keep the project small or one that can easily be broken up into small sections – like a granny square or washcloth. You don’t want to get overwhelmed too soon and you’ll want the benefit of feeling the quick win from ‘finishing’ something.

If you want to make this a regular habit again then I would also encourage you to schedule in some crochet time adjacent to something that you’re already doing regularly without effort. It could be that you spend 10 minutes on a project as part of your lunch break. If you make time to sit with a coffee in the morning, it could be added on to that. Or maybe you’re still need to pick kids up from sports or school – you could aim to get there a little bit earlier and sit and crochet in the car while you wait. You know your schedule and routine best so find something that will work best for you and slot it in. It will make it easier to create the habit, especially when you’re just starting out.

If you’re the type of person that sticks too things best when you have some accountability (who doesn’?!) you might want to find yourself a community to connect with and either spend time with or at least check in with to make sure you pick up your hook. Many local libraries will have a craft group or you might even be able to start up your own.

The Hooked on Crochet Club is a perfect option for busy people wanting some accountability. You can decide how much support you need – whether it is a granny square and washcloth project to prompt you each month, or the addition of a small project or full support with multiple projects and mentoring to go with it. Whichever your preference there is bound to be the support you need!

What ever you choose to get back into crochet, remember to be kind to yourself!

Seona x