Comments on: “People used to crochet more years ago.” Really?

By: Caissa "Cami" McClinton

Caissa "Cami" McClinton — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 23:03:12 +0000

Vickie, I am glad that crochet brings you so much comfort. It is a great hobby in so many ways.

By: Caissa "Cami" McClinton

Caissa "Cami" McClinton — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 23:01:50 +0000

All I can say is, “You go, Barbara!” Three cheers for your crochet hobby!

By: Caissa "Cami" McClinton

Caissa "Cami" McClinton — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 23:00:14 +0000

Talia, that story about your girls’ teachers is funny! When I was teaching most of the gifts I received were from a store, so your going the extra mile probably really touched them. I did get a really cool crocheted scarf from a student once, though, and I was shocked she made it because it was so neat and I had no idea she knew how to do that!

By: Caissa "Cami" McClinton

Caissa "Cami" McClinton — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:57:05 +0000

I wish the yarn departments weren’t shrinking in big box stores, but I agree with Peggy’s assessment. Since crochet is only one popular yarn craft, I think it’s safe to say the yarn industry is doing pretty well even if we have to buy it in a different way.

By: Vickie Treadway

Vickie Treadway — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 03:25:30 +0000

I learned to crochet when I was in 10th grade. I was taught the granny square and then I would ask people how to do other things. I have been crocheting 40 yrs and I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t crochet. I am a very anxious person and have depression so I crochet to keep my mind busy. I like to find challenging patterns and make them, it always makes me feel good when I can complete one. It is a great mood booster for me and it keeps my hand busy so I don’t snack all the time.

By: Peggy

Peggy — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 22:48:13 +0000

Yarn Departments are being replaced by independent yarn stores, which I thought had died out. There weren’t all that many yarn departments during my youth in the 1950′s-60′s, other than at 5 and 10′s and discount stores. JoAnn’s didn’t always sell yarn either. I don’t let other people’s doing my craft determine for me whether I do something I enjoy. The Internet has in my mind made a world of positive difference in finding patterns and groups with whom to crochet, if I choose to do that. In my family, knitting and crocheting weren’t done for survival but for gift-giving, and we weren’t a wealthy family by any means.

By: Erin

Erin — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 22:04:15 +0000

If crochet is more popular, why are the yarn departments shrinking. Makes me think yarn isn’t such a big seller. I hope I’m wrong

By: Barbara

Barbara — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:14:57 +0000

I have made many afghans in the past and never gave it a thought that is was a dying craft. I had never tried other types of crochet until I became a Pinterest subscriber and have been totally amazed by all the wonderful things that can be crocheted – it is very exciting. I have crocheted many water bottle covers for my friends at the Y; I have crocheted many, many ruffled scarves to give as presents; I have been a few holidays decorations – a wreath, snowflakes, turkey for Thanksgiving, and in the past made many ‘Mr. Flurry’ snowman for family members. I do most of my crocheting in the evening as tv doesn’t not supply many great programs. And I am very much a senior citizen!! How about that!!

By: Talia

Talia — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:16:07 +0000

I’ve learnt to crochet in the past few years and a bunch of my friends have asked me to teach them, to disconnect from the technology heavy world we live in and mindlessly relax. I guess people dont make stuff as much anymore, because my 2 and 4 year old girls teachers were shocked that I made them cowl and ruffle scarfs as holiday presents.

By: Caissa

Caissa — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:11:26 +0000

Thanks to everyone who responded. It’s very interesting to hear all of the different perspectives. Maybe it seems like people are crocheting more these days because of the dip in popularity during the 1980s followed by the recent resurgence. But crochet has a very long history. Maybe a bona fide crochet historian will weigh in!