Amy Meng, Editor-in-Chief
@amengcourant
It’s amazing how many things we can make with some yarn and a hook or needle. When it comes to knitting and crocheting, all you need are those two tools and some time. (And some “how to” videos if you just started!)
When I started my journey with yarn a few years ago, I first learned how to knit, having attended a class for kids at the town library. I learned the basic garter stitch, then the purl stitch, then the stockinette stitch (a combination of the previous two stitches), quickly becoming entranced by the different pattern combinations such simple needle movements could create. As I improved my accuracy and efficiency, I began to seek out other projects. I was proud of the little pouches and scarves I knitted. They seem so easy now but were the end products of endless days of knots, holes and frustrations.
My exploration of social media led me to come across “amigurumi”, which is Japanese for the art of crocheting small creatures with yarn. This marked the start of my love for crocheting. Surprisingly, crocheting is slightly faster than knitting, but still requires immense patience. (I also only have to worry about losing one hook rather than two needles!) Starting with easy patterns online, I followed countless YouTube tutorials before finally mastering the ‘magic circle’. It took hours to make the circle effortlessly, but it made creating stuffed animals much easier. The technique entails first making a circle to use as the base of the project. Rather than knitting a long panel and sewing the sides together to create the head or body, I can just crochet along the circle.
Although I’m not saving myself any money by knitting and crocheting simple clothing, stuffed animals, and other small trinkets, the takeaways lie in the joy and sense of accomplishment I get from creating something from scratch with my hands. In a world of advanced technology and addictive social media, crafting can provide that break away from the screen and piling stress. These creations always make the best gifts, whether for birthdays or holidays. Your family member or friend won’t be able to buy the stuffed animal, keychain, or car hanging anywhere else because you made it. That’s what makes the yarn experience so fun and unique.
If you are thinking of learning to knit or crochet, I’d recommend searching up some YouTube videos to get started. Everyone learns in different ways, so find the approach that works for you. With some yarn, two knitting needles, or a crochet hook, you can do amazing things.
Some highlights of my journey:
I saw a cute pattern online and wanted to try it. With a few modifications and some concentration, I ended up with a bucket of bunnies. (They are MyMelodys from the Sanrio brand.) Stuffed animals make awesome gifts. Preparing for a local market! I always look forward to seeing what items will be most popular and the smiles on people’s faces. My first crochet sweater, finally finished this summer after a series of TV shows and college visit car trips. The sweater pattern isn’t difficult as only single and double crochets are used, but it did take hours to complete. Crochet hooks come in a wide range of sizes, from 0.25mm hooks to well above 30mm. The yarn I usually use works best with 4.5-5mm hooks. Most yarn skeins will indicate the recommended hook size. If you are using yarn with different thicknesses, it’s helpful to have different sized hooks.
