How have you developed as crafters, and what direction would you like to take?

Dear users, dear authors,
the title of this thread asks:
How have you developed as crafters so far, and what direction would you like to take?
Let me know.

I started doing handicrafts as a child. I learned from my grandmother. Then there was a bit of a break until I started again while I was pregnant. Back then, I lived right above a yarn shop—how fitting—and since then, I’ve picked up my needles every now and then. But it’s only in the last six years that I’ve been crafting constantly, without a break. What’s next? I’m already considering starting a side business with my crafts. Who knows? Maybe I’ll succeed.

I actually always want to stay flexible. I’m always most excited about the latest idea, the most recent inspiration. I’ve never limited myself to just one topic, and I plan to keep it that way. I like to try everything once — that’s what makes life fun
Best regards, Caro

When my son was little (he’s 42 now), I used to knit and crochet everything myself. Then there was a loooong break...

Almost two years ago, I started again, and my enthusiasm is even greater than ever before. Above all, I now enjoy designing my own clothes and other items.

I take Caro’s approach and let life surprise me. Things will work out somehow, but I don’t know yet where it will lead. One thing I do know: I’ll definitely keep going as long as I enjoy it. 

I crocheted in elementary school and was very passionate about it for a short time.
We didn’t have the internet back then, and I didn’t have anyone who could really teach me much.
(It never even occurred to me to look for books.)
That’s probably why it faded pretty quickly. Five years ago, in my early 20s, that passion came back.
At first, I could only do single crochet, so the selection of patterns was rather limited. I crocheted one amigurumi after another. Whenever I needed a new type of stitch, I’d look it up briefly and expanded my repertoire that way.

  Now I’m at a point where I think, “Nothing is impossible,” and I enjoy a challenge!

Where do I want to go from here?
I don’t know. I’ll just see where it takes me :) 

When I was younger, I did a lot of knitting—from Norwegian patterns to cable patterns, I tried it all (that was totally trendy back then).
Embroidery, weaving, crafts, painting—even fretwork—I loved it all and did it with enthusiasm. The only thing I absolutely hated was crocheting; I thought it was just for grandmas.

What do I do today? I crochet, and I think it’s totally modern—I’m constantly amazed at what’s possible. I especially love Tunisian crochet.

Haha, Petra, for me it was exactly the opposite:

I thought crocheting was totally cool, and knitting was something for grandmas!
It probably always depends on how you’re introduced to it.
For me, knitting meant: knitted socks from my grandmas for Christmas. Totally boring!! (Which, of course, I would never have told my grandmas!)
  I only knew crochet from school. I didn’t know anything about old-fashioned crocheted doilies and stuff like that—just crocheted stuffed animals, headbands, bags... = just cool :)

  It just goes to show how different things can be :)

If someone asks me today if I’m too young to crochet, I always say: “Nope, crocheting is cool. Knitting is the grandma hobby!” (With a wink, of course)

I’m a grandmother of three, so why shouldn’t I have a “grandma hobby”? You can see time and again here that you can crochet or knit some really cool things.

You just have to be careful not to overwhelm others with your handmade items. Not everything is to everyone’s taste.
My grandchildren, for example, aren’t at all into crocheted or knitted clothes, but they love stuffed animals and dolls! Clothes for Barbie dolls are also a big hit. And when they’re at my place, they’re always amazed by the crocheted decorations, like my flower child figures.

I started out making hats on a loom. That got boring pretty quickly, so I remembered the basic crochet techniques I’d learned in school and picked it up again. First scarves, then my first amigurumi. I had to learn spiral rounds first, and that darn magic ring!
Now I do it automatically, without even thinking.
Over time, I added lots of animals, but also clothing items, as well as many different stitches and patterns.
At some point, I started experimenting without patterns and gradually designed more and more of my own creations, which I then began writing down—and that’s how I got into writing patterns.
These days, I also enjoy knitting. I started with knit stitches and purl stitches, then added drop stitches, and by now I’ve even knitted various cable patterns.
I’ve also tried Tunisian crochet, but it’s not really my thing.

When I look back over the years, I’ve made a lot of progress, and I’m always eager to learn something new.

I started learning to knit and crochet at the age of 10.
Back then, both from my mother and in craft class.

At some point I took a break from it and focused mainly on silk painting.

Over the years, my interest in working with yarn came back.
It took several more years before I dared to write patterns myself.
I often modified pre-made patterns because they were never really right for my size.

It's quite possible that I'll take up another craft technique if it sparks my interest.

When I think back to my elementary school days… oh my!
Then my little sisters were born, and I started crocheting for them.
My daughter is four months older than her youngest aunt. So it happened that the aunts often got the same things as their niece. The double christening took place in crocheted christening gowns.

Doilies and curtains were added to the mix. In between, we made lots of window decorations out of cardstock. I mostly knitted socks to keep a florist’s feet warm, but also sweaters.
Since then, I’ve crocheted all sorts of things, and thanks to CP, I never run out of ideas.
That way, I always have personal gifts on hand.

Where do I want to go from here? It would be nice if this hobby could eventually bring in some money.

Give this a try:
Sell patterns
https://www.crazypatterns.net/de/anleitungen-verkaufen
Upload patterns
https://www.crazypatterns.net/de/anleitungen-hochladen
Good luck :-)

During my school years, I mainly knitted socks and sweaters, as well as doll clothes. In college, I discovered crocheting, which led me to make a costume and a dress—both of which I wore with enthusiasm and pride! For the kids, I mostly knitted, did a little crocheting, and did quite a bit of sewing; I also took sewing classes in South America and learned how to draft patterns. Later came the phase of crocheted doilies and knitted scarves, which were all the rage at the time… Thanks to magazines and CP, I eventually discovered amigurumi (and sooo many other beautiful things), and most recently I’ve ventured into Tunisian crochet. I’m always curious about new things, even if it’s just a new way to knit a heel or a new pattern.