When do you usually crochet?

So, when do you crochet—when do you have time for it? After work or school? Or just on the weekends? Or are you retired and basically always have time?
Best regards, Salome 

I only do handicrafts in the late afternoon or evening, and sometimes during the day on weekends. True to the motto: First the (house)work, then the fun. 

I only crochet when I absolutely have to, for example when making a provisional cast-on for knitting. Later, the loops are worked in the opposite direction, for example to graft them together with Kitchener stitch or to continue knitting a cast-on tab as a border.
I prefer knitting because I like the look and feel of knitted fabric better. But to each their own.<\/p>

Best regards from the Cookie Monster<\/p>

I crochet almost exclusively in the evenings. Usually while watching TV—or rather, the TV is on in the background, and I listen to it more than I actually watch it. And when I’m working on my own designs, my mind often wanders, and then I have to rewind the movie, show, or documentary because I missed whole sections. :D 

A retiree with plenty of time. One of the few perks of getting older is that you can finally do what you want whenever you want—even at night if the mood strikes you, since you can always catch up on sleep later. That’s pretty nice.

When I was still working, I’d start crocheting or knitting a few stitches in the morning before work. After work, I’d get back to my needles as soon as possible. I used every free minute to relax. 

In the fall of 2023, I quit my job, and since then, I’ve only rarely picked up my needles. I no longer needed that outlet. I still do needlework, but much less. 

But when I do have something on my needles, it no longer matters when I work on it. Whenever it’s fun.  

I usually crochet or knit early in the morning with a cup of tea by my side. Sometimes in the afternoon, but definitely in the evening when I’m home. Now that the days are getting longer, I have more time for crafts again.

Right now, I crochet whenever I get the chance. With a kitten, it’s not so easy. But otherwise, once I’ve taken care of everything else, I use every free minute I have. 

As a retiree, I can choose when I do needlework. But I tend to crochet or knit in the afternoon with a cup of coffee, or in the evening on the sofa with a cup of tea or hot chocolate.

I can only crochet sporadically these days, when my osteoarthritis allows it—and it’s much the same with knitting—so it takes me quite a while to finish anything. When my fingers are stiff from the pain, it’s really hard to do any needlework. Sewing still comes more easily to me. 

Now I’m waiting for my new shelf—the old one was about to collapse, so my husband got rid of it this week before it could crush me. Because of that, my sewing table is absolutely packed with the contents of the shelf, just waiting to be sorted and put back on the shelf. 

Best regards, Inge

I’m retired too, but I usually don’t do crafts until late afternoon or evening while watching TV—I take care of other things first. Crocheting is mostly associated with amigurumi for me, though I also really enjoy crocheting covers for planters and the like. For sweaters, jackets, and other items—including doll clothes—I prefer to knit; the texture of the stitches is just nicer. 

When we’re on vacation somewhere for a few days, I sometimes do crafts in the early afternoon; otherwise, I usually do them while watching movies—which isn’t so easy with patterns that require attention and often turns the movie into a radio play. 😉

Love, Regina 

I crochet at all hours of the day and night. As soon as I feel like it—and that happens often. 😁 I’m retired now, and I’m enjoying having so much time on my hands. 

It’s just a matter of what I’m crocheting. And I have a lot of different moods: sometimes it has to be very simple, then I like something to tinker with, and every now and then I do a lot of relief stitches. Sometimes the yarn has to be thick so I can work with at least my go-to hook size of 4.5 and make good progress. Other times, the yarn can be really thin, even if you don’t see progress as quickly. Then I make a progress marker. A little trick to fool myself. 😆

What’s the logical consequence? Exactly! Lots of UFOs—and unfortunately, some remain UFOs forever. Well, that’s just how creativity works for me. When it comes to my hobby, I allow myself to focus on making sure it brings me joy. That’s the most important thing. 💕

Warm regards, Karoline 🌸 

Involuntary retiree, so I have plenty of time. I do crafts whenever and whatever I feel like, or whatever my body or mind allows at the moment. 

Crocheting is my favorite, then sewing, and knitting comes last (my thumb always acts up, and I don’t see results very quickly). 

At all hours of the day. Sometimes early in the morning, during the day of course, and sometimes late into the night. It’s often therapeutic, too: when I’m overthinking, worrying, on the verge of a panic attack, or when depression hits hard, I force myself to at least make one row. That often makes me feel better. 

And I love starting 100 different things—and just like Karoline, I’m a professional UFO maker. Now with sewing, too—waaaahhh 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪

That’s why I mustn’t even start sewing! Otherwise, I’ll need another room for thousands of fabrics! 😂😂😂

Dear Salome,

now you’ve heard from many people here about when they crochet or knit.

From your name Salome14 I would spontaneously guess that you are still very young. Here on CP in the forum, I would guess the average age is closer to 60. How do you feel here, where in my opinion there aren’t that many young people? Are there topics you feel are missing?

Back to your question to everyone, where I’m also interested in your answer. So, when do you find time for handcrafting (probably as a school student)? Is that still cool today, or are people more likely to smile at you for it? Do your friends admire your things, or do some of them even place orders with you?

I can remember that as a teenager I crocheted, knitted, knotted, and crafted every free minute. When my homework was done, or on the weekend when I didn’t have anything I had to take care of, I enjoyed sitting on the couch, watching a movie, and making something with my hands. Being creative has no age limit. 

Best wishes, Ina

Hi Ina,

I’m actually still in school, and my friends especially love the clothes I sew and my patchwork pillows. I can’t really say for sure if it’s cool, but I think it’s fun—and that’s what matters. I get to crochet the most when I’m on vacation, but now that it’s winter, I’ll be crocheting more in the afternoons again. One of my friends told me she’d love an amigurumi keychain, but I haven’t had the patience or the time for it yet. There aren’t really any topics I’m missing right now. And I think it’s okay, but I hope more young people get into it 

Best regards, Salome 

Hi Salome, I think it’s so wonderful that young women, girls, and even boys enjoy crafts. Unfortunately, I can’t get my children or my grandchildren interested in it, which is a real shame.

Best regards, Regina