One big and true fact about me is that I am a person who always finds a hobby out of nothing. Whatever that is, I like to work on using my hands and do some arts and crafts and everything that is good for my heart. I have jumped onto one thing to another and I can't really help it, it eases my life and relieves my stress, and most importantly, it gives my life a meaning.

This year, I have unlocked new hobbies regardless of the busy schedule that I have with my school and with the responsibilities at home. With the stay-at-home requirements because of the on-going pandemic, my exploration widened and it took me places – creativity and self-discovery.

It just occurred to me that I placed an order for yarns. My mother has been crocheting ever since and I never knew I could do it too. Now that I have a little bit of knowledge regarding crocheting, let me share them to you.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS

1. Yarns

Of course, this is the first and foremost material that we need. You can choose between many yarns that suits you as a beginner. What I could recommend is the milk cotton yarn but it’s a bit pricey so I settled with indophil yarns.

2. Hook

You can’t go crocheting without a hook. If you really plan on having this as a hobby, I would suggest you to buy the complete set of hook which has all the sizes (mm) needed for different sizes of yarns or depends on the project you will work on. Tip: Find a hook that suits you; the one you think you are comfortable to hold and use.

3. Scissors

Any scissors will do but there are those cut clippers that are most suggested for crocheting. You can invest into it because it is worth.

4. Stitch marker

Many projects will require you to use stitch markers in order to mark the stitches or the counts. This are tiny little things which is very useful.

5. Yarn Needle

This is important and I am really happy that I have this one. It is a bigger needle and I use it to lock or secure the yarns. As a beginner, I get anxious about those lose yarns so I always make sure that they are secured enough.

6. Other materials

You will also need other materials depending on what project you will work on such as buttons, zippers, pads, if you will make crochet tops, hairclips, glue gun, and other finishing materials. If you plan on making crochet amigurumi, you should also make sure to get stuffing.

There are many tutorials and let’s make ourselves inspired every hour of everyday!

Crocheting helped me a lot in dealing with anxiety and stress. When there’s a lot of things going on with my mind, I do try new projects and then it calms me down. It helps me focus because I have to count the stitches and it inspires me to be more creative and productive because finishing one item is so satisfying.

Honestly, it became my obsession to buy yarns with different colors. Since I’m still a beginner, I only do small projects. This is also because of my limited time. I have made so far earrings, coasters, hair clips, headbands, and appliques. I’m looking forward to share it all to you.

Always remember, doing the things you love is not a waste of time. For me, it’s a form of self-love and self-discovery.

How about you? What hobbies did you discover this year?