Crochet

written by Mariel Jimenez
@crochetcouturenyc

If you’ve ever played Candy Crush Saga, Tetris...or any other game that requires its player to build rows and clear levels—think of crochet as the analog equivalent to all that. Consider this: Crochet is the OG 3D printing! (Same goes for all fiber arts.)

Start Small

I learned to crochet as a kid growing up in the Philippines. But it wasn’t until the pandemic that it became a full-fledged hobby and I opened a small crochet business, Crochet Couture NYC, from my studio apartment.

My advice for people who want to try crocheting as a hobby is to start with something small, symmetrical, and quick—an “instant gratification” project such as a hat, headband, or tiny pillow keychain that will then inspire you to tackle bigger, bolder, and more complicated patterns…like a cardigan!

Tools of the Trade

You don’t need to splurge on crochet gadgets (a.k.a. “notions”) from the get-go. Crochet hooks are readily available on Amazon, and yarn happens to be relatively inexpensive. Today’s acrylics are a far cry from their rough and scratchy counterparts from yesteryears. Once you get the hang of crocheting, you could switch over to some of the premium hooks like the ones from Clover or Tulip. They’re made with super-smooth aluminum or resin and are meant to move through yarn with utmost ease.

Comfort is Key

Being able to work with yarn easily is important: Crocheting is painstakingly repetitive and something you do for hours and hours on end…so you’d want to be as comfortable as possible—from where you sit, down to the movement of your wrists. If you like to crochet at night, pick up a neck light, you’ll thank me later.

Live in Color

Part of the fun in crocheting is exploring all the possibilities, being inspired by something you see on the street, and incorporating all sorts of shapes and hues into your projects. Go ahead and experiment and have fun with it! If something doesn’t work, ditch it, you can always start over. It’s not just a hobby…it’s a lifestyle. 😊