I love crocheting, it’s my money saving, stressing relieving hobby. It allows me to create unique homemade gifts at a fraction of the price. And it melts away my daily stresses by distracting my mind and keeping my hands occupied. I don’t profess to be an expert in crocheting. Which is why I will be sharing links from others.

I love crocheting! It’s my money saving hobby

There have been many times in my life that I didn’t have enough money to buy people nice gifts. To spare the embarrassment of giving them nothing, I would purchase yarn and crochet something unique and functional for the recipient. The cost of crocheting is minimal, but the gifts are priceless.

I love crocheting! It’s my stress relieving hobby

Being a caregiver is very stressful. So, to relieve my stress, I crochet. It distracts and soothes my mind. All I need to do is grab my yarn, crochet hook and steal away for peace of mind. I highly recommend trying it. Your mind will thank you after every stressful day.

Crocheting is a productive hobby

I’m one of those people that can’t sit idle. I just can’t. Crocheting makes me feel accomplished and productive when I sit still. Crocheting keeps my mind and my hands occupied and gives me a sense of fulfillment.

To make production easier, I have a crocheting tote bag that goes everywhere with me. The tote bag contains several skeins of yarn, crochet hooks and nail clippers (to cut the yarn). No matter where I am, if I’m sitting and waiting…I’m crocheting. In my van waiting to pick-up my grandson from school. In the doctor’s office or at the hospital waiting for appointments. At the airport waiting for my flight to take off or land (pre-COVID times of course). While watching TV with my husband at night.

While most people pass their time perusing their cell phones as they wait, running their batteries down, flipping through social media etc. I’m productively crocheting. And I love it.

Crocheting can be an addicting hobby

The only downfall to crocheting…it can be addicting. You won’t want to stop. And that’s ok. You’ll create beautiful items that everyone will love. And you’ll feel better in the process. It’s not a bad addiction to have at all.

Crocheting-from one generation to the next

I learned to crochet at the age of 12. My dear, sweet Aunt Bev sat next to me on the sofa at my Grandparent’s home and taught me basic crochet stitches. I’ve never forgotten the day I learned to crochet.

Sadly, my Aunt Bev passed away many years ago. My heart misses her, but when I crochet…I feel she’s with me. And, I know I’m making her proud. Please be sure to teach your next generation to crochet.

Learning basic crochet stitches

Learning basic crochet stitches may seem difficult at first. You may feel like you need octopus arms. Don’t give up. Once you learn the basic crochet stitches, you’ll realize you don’t need 8 arms and the rest is easy.

I found this YouTube Video that provides wonderful step by step tutorials for the basic crochet stitches. Check it out, it’s perfect to get you started. https://youtu.be/u8dr2bjUKxo

Money saving advice for purchasing yarn

Shopping for yarn is a frugal challenge in itself. On-line pricing is often unfair. Companies offer yarn for sale on-line and attach different prices to each color. Some of the prices are extreme. But in-store, the pricing is different. Each brand of yarn has a consistent and reasonable price and each color is the same price.

The photo below of a recent on-line ad verifies my point. As you can see, the prices of yarn vary by color from $3.44 to $22.71. Outrageously wrong! It’s like bait and switch advertising and internet highway robbery all in one. There should be a law against such a practice. And this is why I search thoroughly and usually purchase in-store or very carefully on-line.

Dollar Tree sells yarn!

The Dollar Tree stores have a nice selection of cotton and acrylic yarns for sale! At only $1.00 for a skein of yarn, they are perfect for beginning crocheters as well as those with a few years of crocheting experience. The colors are fun and great to work with. I love crocheting with Dollar Tree yarns they’re frugally fabulous.

Note: The skeins of yarn at The Dollar Tree are smaller. If you’re crocheting a larger project, you may have to compare the number of yards per skein vs. the costs of purchasing larger skeins from other stores.

Here’s a link to see what Dollar Tree has…https://www.dollartree.com/bulk/Yarn?gclid=CjwKCAiAi_D_BRApEiwASslbJ7n_Vz-9buKYAGd-WODYsl-SG2hpkAdF81SYe-XHH1Y32wY-t1aVtRoCLpoQAvD_BwE

I love crocheting with colored yarns

Variegated yarns are my favorite to crochet with, because I love the blending of assorted colors. And the finished products are so pretty and unique. The only colors I don’t like working with are black and dark brown-they are very difficult on my eyes. Just a bit of advice to choose your colors wisely depending on your eyesight.

Size does matter…with crochet hooks!

The size of the crochet hook you use is important. It’s best to use the correct sized crochet hook recommended on the yarn label to achieve the proper consistency of your textile.

Note: I have taken creative liberties when crocheting some items and I used a larger sized crochet hook than the yarns recommended. I did this to achieve a stitch with a more open weave in the final design. I would not recommend this practice for pot holders. The larger holes could be harmful.

Crocheted wine glass koozies

Crocheted koozies for wine glasses…sure, why not? I received a beautiful set of stemless wine glasses as a gift. However, the glasses get a little slippery from condensation. So, I crocheted koozies for them to prevent the slipping. Not only do they look pretty, they were frugal to make, because I used yarn I already had.

I didn’t have a pattern for the koozies, I just kind of made mine up as I went along. If you would like a pattern, here’s a link to an Etsy seller offering a pattern to crochet your own koozies…https://www.etsy.com/listing/781853546/crochet-wine-glass-cozy-pattern-pdf?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_new_years_All_Products&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAiAuoqABhAsEiwAdSkVVFZY9oQ4_LfqD_ikwr7lM7Se8y2kif6NL_X0b0yGerGDbmEgce_IjRoCSXUQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_1707961887_69268693889_331635231036_aud-301856855998:pla-293946777986_c__781853546_158954890&utm_custom2=1707961887&gclid=CjwKCAiAuoqABhAsEiwAdSkVVFZY9oQ4_LfqD_ikwr7lM7Se8y2kif6NL_X0b0yGerGDbmEgce_IjRoCSXUQAvD_BwE

I love crocheting infinity scarves

I had an infinity scarf crocheting addiction. They are fun to make and only take a couple to a few hours to crochet. Oh Lawd, I couldn’t stop myself! Each one was unique and different. I don’t follow patterns, I just let my creative mind and hands do what they want. It’s very liberating for me.

Bonus: I saved lots of money gift giving last year. Because so many of my friends and family received infinity scarves that I crocheted.

This is the YouTube video that inspired me to crochet infinity scarves. It’s super simple-check it out…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yB83IQYGeI

I love crocheting pot holders and hot pads

For the past few months, I’ve been on a pot holder/hot pad crocheting kick. I love crocheting them. They add pops of color that brighten your kitchen while protecting hands and surfaces. They provide almost instant gratification, because they can be finished in an hour or less.

To crochet quick and easy pot holders and hot pads, I normally chain 20-24 stitches across and the same amount of rows in height. But you can make whatever size you would like.

Note: The acrylic yarns have a tighter stitch and weave for the final product than the cotton yarns do.

I love crocheting blankets

Crocheting baby blankets and lap blankets-are so rewarding. They take more time, but are definitely worth all efforts. I’m always making a baby blanket for someone’s little one on the way.

I also make lap blankets and donate them to nursing homes for their residents. My favorite project was a lap blanket that I crocheted for my Dad last year. It has great sentimental value, because it was his sister that taught me how to crochet.

This is the lap blanket I crocheted for my Dad, to match his gorgeous blue eyes…

The comforting Granny square

You can crochet in any stitches that you would like. But, sometimes a “Granny Square” design is so old fashioned and recognizable, that it is comforting. Here’s a tutorial I found to help you create the iconic Granny square… https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Crochet-a-Granny-Square/

Crocheting is a hobby with many benefits

No matter what you crochet, just remember…you saved money crocheting it yourself, you expressed your creativity, you were productive with your time, you’ve relieved your mind and body of stresses, you created wonderful gifts and your projects kept your lap warm during cold winter months. Crochet away!

Have a great day, take care, enjoy and be safe!

Virtual hugs,

Chauncey

Here’s more frugal crafting posts for your viewing pleasure…

Frugal curtains, curtain rods and hangers…

https://frugalanddelicious.com/curtains-frugal-and-easy-ways-to-make-and-hang-them/

Frugal fashion tip…make a jean skirt to wear with your new crocheted infinity scarf…

https://www.facebook.com/frugalanddelicious/posts/1156602461384157