7 reasons you should start crochet, even if you don’t like crafts or DIY

I took up crochet almost a decade ago when I was in grad school. The lack of time structure in academia meant that I found myself spending many hours of my day binge-watching Netflix, and I wanted to be doing something productive while watching to try and justify this amount of wasted time.

I get a bit impatient with crafts and DIY projects, and I also don’t enjoy items that look too “crafty” or handmade, but that’s exactly why I think crochet is a great hobby to take up, and here’s why.

1. Because it’s easy

Crochet is easy, and doesn’t require a lot of tools. All you need to get started is a hook, a ball of yarn, and a pair of scissors. Almost all stitches are based on the same hand movements, so you can build muscle memory pretty quickly. Once you’ve learned the basic stitches, you could be hours away from holding your first finished crochet project.

2. To help with stress and anxiety

Crochet is meditative and repetitive. There is something relaxing about repeating the same pattern of stitches over and over again and allowing your mind to wander. You can use this time to contemplate, to process your thoughts and emotions, or to plan the day ahead.

I sometimes even use this time to do some tasbih—short Muslim remembrances of God such as “God is great”, or “all thanks is due to God”, that are typically said in repetition a certain number of times. I find coupling a prayer with each stitch very relaxing.

3. To do something productive while watching TV or listening to a podcast or audiobook

This was the reason I got into crochet in the first place. I wanted to do something useful with my hands while I was watching TV, or whenever I had no chores to do while listening to a podcast or an audiobook. Crochet helped me feel I was creating something during that time.

4. To make memorable gifts for friends and family

Even at a beginner level, there’s so many things you can crochet that would make a unique and personalized gift for a friend or family member. My friends always ask me for crocheted baskets. Baskets are my favorite crochet project—they’re both decorative and functional, and they’re relatively quick and easy to make. Blankets are also beginner-level projects that make great gifts.

A baby blanket I crocheted for a friend of mine when she was having her first child, using some of her favorite colors.

5. To express yourself

To make something with your own hands is a very rewarding feeling, and self-expression is a big part of that. The things you make reflect something of your personality and your interests.

One of my early projects was a Harry Potter-themed scarf in Gryffindor colors, which I customized with a Gryffindor patch I bought online. This was a special project to me because it was personal, and reflected my interests at the time.

A Gryffindor scarf with an iron-on patch I bought on Amazon.

6. To make things you can’t buy

Another great thing about crocheting is that you can make things you can’t find easily on the market, or not at an affordable price point. For example, I once crocheted a Harry Potter blanket which, unlike the Gryffindor scarf, would have been very difficult to buy at a store.

I was inspired by a design similar to this one, a checkered blanket where each quarter was done in the colors of one of the Hogwarts houses. I customized the corner of the blanket with an iron-on Hogwarts patch.

A Harry Potter blanket I crocheted inspired by similar designs I found online, such as this one.

7. To make things you can use

I like to crochet things I know I’ll end up using. Because I’m not a fan of the overly crafty, handmade look that certain crochet items can have, I usually avoid crocheting things like gloves, socks, or hats. Instead, I focus on home items that actually benefit from a crocheted look, like baskets, pot holders, or throws.

Baskets are especially nice to make because you can always find a good use for them.