Crocheting: an Inexpensive Fall Hobby that Can Be Shared Through Generations

When the Back to School supplies arrive in the store, I buy three things--school supplies, yarn, and F hooks for my favorite fall hobby.

In the fall of 1990, at age 13, I learned to crochet blankets. My executive functioning problem caused me to be slow to learn new skills. This attempt at learning was no exception. My mom, with incredible patience, repeated the phrase, "Andrea stop skipping stitches" many times as she, my sister, and I crocheted blankets for my soon to be born nephew.

Because of the missed stitches, the end result of my learning to crochet was something that more closely resembled a potholder than a baby blanket.

I tore the blanket apart and kept trying. Ultimately I learned to crochet and could do it quickly. My mom bragged that I could finish blankets more quickly than she could.

Crocheting can be expensive. I offset the cost by buying yarn at thrift stores. A blanket the size I make takes about twenty to twenty-five skeins. Our local Wal-Mart sells yarn for about $2.50 a skein. Thrift stores sell yarn for various prices. Garage sales are the best places to buy inexpensive items needed for crocheting. I buy yarn from thrift stores and garage sales year round. Hooks for crocheting are also inexpensive. Inevitably I lose a few hooks throughout the season and can replace them for under $10.00.

Twenty-one years after my first attempt at crocheting a blanket, life has certainly changed. My nephew is twenty years old now. The biggest change is that the fall of 2011 will be the first spent without my mom. I will crochet new blankets alone--until I can teach my now six year old daughter. As I shiver from the fall weather, I will be able to wrap myself in blankets made during more comforting times.

Crocheting is a physical representation of the weaving together of time. When the product is over, one can look at it and remember the moments in time while it was being made. It does not take much to crochet a blanket--time, patience, a hook the size you need, and some yarn. Crocheting blankets is best done in the fall or winter season due to the product helping you stay warm while you complete it. My favorite hobby is best done with others but this year, I have my memories.