A few weeks ago, my daughter came to me and asked if I could teach her how to crochet. I, of course, said yes. It had been years since I last picked up a crochet hook, but I dug mine out along with some yarn I still had lying around (because sometimes, I just can’t bring myself to get rid of things). I started her off with some simple back-and-forth stitches while I hit the internet in search of patterns. What I found was a rabbit hole of endless possibilities—so many patterns, so little time!
Starting Small (and Egg-Shaped)
I decided to ease back in with something simple: Easter eggs. I had come across this idea ages ago and finally took the time to make some. The first one wasn’t bad, just a little loose. I quickly realized that the key to those perfectly shaped, tight stitches was using a smaller hook. Once I figured that out, I cranked out a few successful eggs and was feeling pretty confident. Naturally, the next step was to crochet something bigger.
Enter Hattie the Hippo
Maybe I got a little carried away, but after Easter eggs, a hippo seemed like the logical next step. I mean, who doesn’t need a hippo? Hattie was born, and she turned out adorable! (See for yourself: insert picture of Hattie the Hippo). I’ve decided she needs a Santa hat, and I just might give her to someone who wants a hippopotamus for Christmas.
More Cute Things (Because Why Stop Now?)
With Hattie finished, I just kept going. I found an irresistibly cute cat holding a donut—how could I not make that? And then my son, who is currently obsessed with bees, asked if I could crochet him some bees and maybe even a beehive to put them in. Challenge accepted! I’m still gathering the right yarn, but I’m excited to give it a try. Honestly, I think we all just love having soft, squishy things to cuddle, so this crochet adventure is turning into a whole family affair.
A Functional Project: Sunburst Granny Squares
Not everything I make is purely for cuteness. (Okay, mostly it is, but this one has a purpose!) I’ve started working on a collection of sunburst granny squares—some solid, some multi-colored—to make myself a shawl. As a software developer, I spend a lot of time sitting at my computer, and I’m always cold. A blanket is too much, and a jacket isn’t quite enough, so a cozy shawl seems like the perfect in-between. It’s coming along nicely, and I’ll be sure to post an update when it’s finished. But for now, here’s a sneak peek!
What Do I Do With All This Stuff?
As much as I love crocheting, I am quickly accumulating an army of stuffed animals. I’ve been enjoying the process—keeping my hands busy while watching TV or listening to audiobooks, wasting less time scrolling on my phone—but at this rate, I may drown in plush creations. I’ve considered selling them on Etsy, but I’m not sure if there’s a market for randomly crocheted stuffed animals. Right now, I’m just making whatever I think is cute and rolling with it.
More Than Just a Hobby
This whole experience has been more rewarding than I expected. Crochet has given me little puzzles to solve—learning new stitches, troubleshooting patterns, and figuring out what to make next. While I’ve definitely gotten more out of this than my daughter (she’s still too busy to crochet much), I’ll keep teaching her in hopes that someday, she’ll have her own moment of rediscovering an old hobby and finding joy in it.
Crocheting again has enriched my life in ways I didn’t anticipate. I’m spending less time glued to my phone and more time engaging with my family—whether it’s teaching my daughter, making something for my son, or just chatting while I work on my latest project. Who knew that picking up a hook again would make me feel so content? I may officially be that little old lady who’s always making something, but honestly, I’m okay with that.
Sharing the Crochet Love
Since I’ve found so many great patterns, I figured I’d share them! Here are the free patterns I’ve been using:
- Hippo: https://www.tarturumies.com/2017/07/21/amigurumi-pattern-the-hippopotamus-melman-and-his-friend-pi/
- Easter Eggs: https://www.crochet365knittoo.com/crochet-easter-eggs/
- Cat with Donut: https://roxycrochet.blogspot.com/2021/04/pusheen-cat-with-donut-by-rxycrochet.html
- Sunburst Granny Squares: https://sarahmaker.com/crochet-sunburst-granny-square/
Have you ever picked up an old hobby and fallen in love with it all over again? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories!
Mary Catherine
