Ready, Set, Craft: Why You Should Take Up Crochet and Knitting
Lockdown hobbies, mindfulness and even Tom Daley have made the age old crafts of knitting and crochet hugely popular over the last few years…
But are these traditional crafts here to stay in 2022, and should you try them for yourself? If you ask us, yes, and if anything, they are poised to be bigger and better than ever before. So grab a cup of tea and read on, because we promise, by the end, you’ll be hooked.
The traditional crafts of knitting and crochet have seen a big resurgence in the last couple of years in part thanks to pandemic hobbies and all of the extra time we have had to tap into our creative potential. Thousands of people took up hobbies throughout the lockdowns with knitting and crochet being a couple of the nation’s most beloved. For some it was an old hobby dusted off from the past. For others it was a completely new venture learnt from YouTube videos and social media. Hobbies became passions and even side hustles or small businesses. Type knitted/crocheted anything into Etsy and Instagram and you’ll see that the ‘cottage core’ style industry is very much thriving. Knitted or crocheted home interiors, accessories, fashion and a whole lot more, are helping to pave the way for unique and in many cases sustainable handmade products from crafters who are thinking more mindfully about what they are making and with what materials.
The two crafts are a tale as old as time, and yet crafters are constantly looking for ways to reinvent both of them. While the techniques that have been passed down through generations remain the same knitting and crochet have definitely had a modern make-over.
In summer 2021, British Olympic Diver Tom Daley celebrated a phenomenal win at the Tokyo Olympic Games, winning his first gold medal for Team GB. After his momentous win, Tom then got everyone talking again during the Olympics. This time, not for his athletic achievements, but for his very down-to-Earth and comforting hobby. Sitting in the side-lines with his needles and yarn, Tom proved why knitting and crochet are very much the crafts to take up now. The keen crafter has since been seen numerous times in his now iconic knitted Team GB jacket and has even launched his own online shop Made with Love by Tom Daley. On his Instagram account of the same name, Tom shares his passion and love for the two crafts with his incredible 1.4 million followers, making him, the biggest crochet/knitting influencer of the moment.
When asked what got his creativity for crocheting and knitting flowing in the first place, Tom credits his coach who encouraged the him to find a hobby that would occupy his mind as he was “terrible at sitting still”. His husband then suggested that he try and knit little squares. This eventually turned into stylish fashion pieces such as jumpers, jackets and even dog outfits! For Daley, finding these crafts went from calming his mind to becoming a true love of his. “It is part of my mindfulness routine, a way of escaping from everything for a while.” Daley said after the Tokyo Olympics.
Like Tom, the mindfulness aspect of knitting and crochet makes it highly appealing to many people who take up either or both crafts to help reduce stress and anxiety. Throughout the tough lockdowns and with burnout rife in our lives, many find harmony in crafting like this. The repetitive and rhythmic motion of each stitch especially allow the mind to relax and focus. It is widely believed that this pastime can also release serotonin, the happy hormone, which ultimately boosts wellbeing and aids calmness. Finding some time out of your day to knit or crochet can therefore have a multitude of mental health benefits. Even 10 minutes of knitting or crocheting a day can make you feel happier. It is also this process of physically making something- no matter how big or small- that can be amazingly powerful for people and their wellbeing. Making something with your own hands from a mere concept to a finished piece can be a wonderfully rewarding experience. And yet while getting to that end goal is always great, it is also about that journey of watching your work take shape along the way. As well as going with the flow if you do change direction or make a mistake. It doesn’t matter if it takes you two days or two years to complete a project. It also doesn’t matter how many mistakes you make. If you are enjoying the process and the art that you are creating, that’s all that matters.
For beginners? Where do you start? One of the best things about knitting and crochet is how little you need to start and work on it thereafter. Knitting uses two needles and yarn, whereas crochet uses a single hook and yarn. Once you have your equipment you can find helpful resources on the internet that will show you how to master each type of stitch and then eventually guide you with projects and patterns when you feel confident. If this article has sparked an interest in knitting and crochet then the best way to begin, is simply to begin. Why not start this spring off with a new hobby like crochet or knitting? Because just like Tom Daley and the millions of knitting and crochet crafters all around the world, we could all do with a hobby that brings us more peace and tranquillity.
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