In this series, I set out to interview whoever would agree to talk to me about their experience with crochet. These are their stories. There’s a wide variety of reasons why people got into the craft: family members, hard times, and sometimes just plain interest in cute amigurumi. Several got into the craft at the behest of persistent ads from the Woobles. Everyone agreed that the craft is typically meditative or relaxing; many noted crochet improved their mental health. For some, crochet helped them discover an artistic side to themselves they had never known before, while others were developed artists adding another tool to their toolbox. Some of these individuals make a living selling crochet. Others insist on keeping it a hobby. Others are in-between. Several find crochet to be a helpful fidget for their ADHD (formally and self-diagnosed) or have expressed that it helps them focus.
If you’d like to participate, feel free to drop a comment in one of the stories, DM me on my Instagram, or e-mail me at amysamigurumiadventure at gmail.com (I’m putting it in that format so my e-mail doesn’t get picked up by spam bots). You don’t have to think your story is interesting — it’s probably a lot more interesting than you think. For those who agree, I will also post corresponding videos to my YouTube channel.
To develop these stories, I interviewed each participant, drafted an essay from statements from the interview that I mostly tried to leave intact, and then gave each a chance to review and comment before posting. I had them set the boundaries of their privacy: whether to post anonymously, with abbreviated names, or whether to post their photos. I ask that you respect that privacy and not try to identify those who have not offered any more information than provided here.
Echo, who has been crocheting for nearly 30 years, incorporates crochet into her full-time business as an artist, entrepreneur, and freelancer.
How she learned: Grandmother
How long: 30+ years
What she does with crochet now: Sells as part of full-time art business
LA Holloway assures you that she’s 90% feral. She’s hilarious, dynamic, and here to tell you her villain origin story. Her interview also features her cat, Appa.
How she learned: You’ll need to check out her villain origin story for that
How long: 30+ years
What she does with crochet now: Teaches crochet classes
Bree is a badass woman who works in an iron foundry. Bree is here to tell you her story of journey with crochet and the project that made her feel closer to her late grandmother.
How she learned: Two people: 1) then-boyfriend’s mother and 2) a best friend
How long: 20+ years
What she does with crochet now: Sells as part of full-time art business
Rets is an active person with many hobbies, including a focus on fundraising for charity by Twitch streaming. When Rets received a difficult health diagnosis, she turned to crochet to help her manage, and now sells amigurumi to fundraise for cancer charity.
How she learned: Woobles
How long: 1+ year
What she does with crochet now: Sells as part of charity fundraising for cancer
Ramsha had a life-long love of amigurumi, but cultural and family baggage discouraged her from taking up the craft. Finally, with support from her husband, she took the plunge into becoming the talented crochet artist and designer she is today.
How she learned: Local crochet class
How long: 1+ year
What she does with crochet now: Designs low to no sew amigurumi patterns that she distributes for free on her Instagram