Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Odds’ Cool Creations: Hooked on crocheting

Odds' Cool Creations: Hooked on crocheting

chayohome2020

February 22

By Audrey K

They say that you should clear your debts in the New Year or that would foretell the state of your year ahead. This article has been long-owed and I'm riding on the Chinese New Year (and my current school vacation) to write it.

When I was little, I used to attend an after-school care centre as my parents both worked. During the school holidays, there would be programmes and activities to keep us kids entertained, carried out on the initiative of the ladies looking after us (whom we simply called "Auntie + [their name or surname]", as is common in our culture). One of them, Auntie P, decided to offer classes on sewing, cross-stitch, knitting and crochet. I took part in all of them, and made some things, but never really continued when the holidays ended.

Fast forward to June of 2021 and I was toying with the idea of taking up crochet again - I was so inspired by a friend's crocheted Nativity scene and the clincher was her reason for starting crochet: "I wanted a cheap way to give presents to my nephews and nieces that was also meaningful." The same friend lent me a hook and gave me some advice for starting as well as a refresher course. You could say that I got hooked! There was no turning back after that.

I started on a plushie, but my first projects were actually more functional and were taken on partly out of necessity - a phone case and a water bottle holder! I have since crafted many more things and am particularly proud of my basic Nativity set (based on Whistle and Ivy's rustic Nativity free pattern for the figurines and my own design for the cave/stable) which I have both sold and gifted to others. Crocheting is both therapeutic and exciting for me as I love to modify and adapt patterns. My latest creation was a cat with a fidget bubble that had the words "Meow-ry me!" on it! It was for a loved one who wanted to propose.