The first time I crocheted anything was in 1977, when I was six months pregnant with my firstborn son, Kyle. I had always loved handwork; embroidering flowers and little designs on my jeans and tops when I was in school. But, crochet felt like something entirely new.
At that time, in Humble, there was a five-and-dime store called Winns. I adored that store. I didn’t drive yet, and it was within walking distance of our apartment. My husband was working six days a week, twelve-hour shifts, so I had plenty of quiet hours to fill. I would walk to Winns almost daily, just to browse.
One afternoon I found a crochet baby blanket pattern with little zoo animals embroidered on individual squares. One square at a time. It felt manageable. Purposeful. I decided right then I was going to make that blanket for my baby boy.
That was my beginning.
In 1980, I picked up my hook again, this time to crochet shell stitch edging around flannel blankets I had sewn on my machine. I loved the rhythm of that shell stitch. It was decorative but structured. Practical, but still sweet.
Over the years, I dabbled here and there. I had a sister-in-law who was incredibly talented at crochet. I made a few novelty items. But then, for decades, I put my crochet hooks down.
I didn’t return to crochet until about two years ago.
And truthfully? I returned out of necessity.
At Yarn Store Boutique, we began seeing more and more customers wanting to learn crochet. I could teach knitting all day long……but crochet? I realized I needed to deepen my skills if I was going to properly support our community.
If I am completely honest, I had a bias. In my mind, crochet was either cutesy craft-fair décor or granny squares. I didn’t see garments. I didn’t see modern design. I didn’t see fashion.
(And yes, granny squares are absolutely back, and I am here for it.)
So, I started teaching granny square workshops. And they were successful. People loved them. I began to see the structure and design potential differently.
Then came the turning point.
We hosted a crochet vendor who made the cutest earrings I had ever seen. I invited her to teach a workshop. I fully intended not to participate. I was still holding onto my quiet skepticism about crochet jewelry.
But I was gently coerced into sitting down and taking the class.
I loved it.
Not mildly. Not politely.
I absolutely loved it.
The design was modern. The fiber choice elevated the look. The scale was thoughtful. I left wearing my earrings wanting to make more.
Then Pat designed a crochet basket using t-shirt yarn. It looked like something straight out of Anthropologie. Clean lines. Architectural structure. Practical and beautiful.
And then she designed a purse.
That purse sealed it for me.
I was hooked. (Pun entirely intended.)
I made a vest in hand-dyed yarn. It fit beautifully. It worked up quickly. It felt substantial, not flimsy. It looked intentional. Then I made the Oversized Chunky Shirt using the softest cotton yarn ever by Loopy Mango Big Cotton. The drape, the weight, the texture, it completely changed my perspective.
So why the change of heart?
Fiber.
It is all about fiber choice.
Crochet in the right fiber transforms everything. Hand-dyed yarn elevates a simple stitch. Quality cotton gives structure. Scale matters. Hook size matters. Intentional design matters.
And now?
Now I am starting a Crochet Sweater Club, teaching the Oversized Chunky Shirt. And I am already planning our next project with a smaller hook and finer yarn.
I never thought I would say this, but I am loving crochet.
It took me nearly fifty years to circle back to where I started—six months pregnant, walking to a five-and-dime store, dreaming over a baby blanket.
Funny how things come full circle.
Maybe one day you’ll jump on board with me too.
