When my son in Canada started producing intricate crocheted home decor this winter, I made it my New Year’s resolution to learn too. I went to a couple of face-to-face classes and then used YouTube to hone my skills. While coming to terms with a very painful bereavement this spring, I kept describing my crochet projects as soothing and calming. Turns out this is not just me. While interviewing a growing crochet cohort at the KnitLuzly group, several of them described crochet as mindful, relaxing and meditational.
Expert crocheter Julia Brown, who has been running this growing group for the past two years, has noticed an increase in enquiries about crochet. “When I first joined, there weren’t many crocheters, it’s grown a lot since then,” says Julia. Based in the Vila Luz Hotel, the group meets weekly for crochet, chat, knitting and natter on the poolside patio. A dozen or more people show up to each meeting, bringing a mix of knit and crochet projects, embroidery, or quilting. “We’ll take any handicraft that is portable,” says Julia.
A study at Otago University, New Zealand, discovered that creative activities such as crochet, knitting, writing and painting all enhance the well-being of stressed students. The process is so focused on the single activity that the mind is fully in the present, the now, creating inner calm. “If it’s the end of a day in the office, crochet is a good way of unwinding,” adds Julia. The Crochet Society in the UK has a section on The Art of Mindful Crochet which they launched to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week a couple of years ago. And San Francisco author Kathryn Vercillo wrote a book called Hook to Heal: 100 Crochet Exercises For Health, Growth, Connection, Inspiration and Honoring Your Inner Artist, which focuses on using crochet techniques to enter a magical world of healing.
With 169 Facebook followers, KnitLuzly has a multinational membership from age 30 to 80-plus. Members come and go, supplemented with occasional holidaymakers, most coming from Luz, Lagos and Alvor. Seasonal lunches are also held at The Quay at Lagos Marina. The Facebook site details the weekly meets, as well as advice on sourcing yarn, patterns and inspirational photos of the beautiful work created by members.
Julia has been knitting since the age of seven but became “hooked” on crochet some 25 years ago. Her specialisation is intricate lacey cardigans, but she also makes Amigurumi figures, home decor, blankets, toys and Christmas decorations. She has great tips for beginners: “Start with basic stitches, and once you’ve mastered two or three, go on to simple repetitive things like scarves. I would not advise starting with granny squares.
They are popular and wonderful but more difficult to make and get properly square. If you choose something simpler, like dishcloths, you can change stitches, practice getting straight, square edges, changing colours etc, before trying granny squares.”
Learning to read patterns is important when progressing to clothing. Difficulty is determined by how much shaping there is, so garments or bags made from simple squares and rectangles are easier for newbies. “You can gradually learn more stitches, especially lacey decorative stitches,” says Julia. “Stick to light to medium weight yarn as thicker is more difficult. And beginners should not try anything below a 3mm crochet hook as it is too fiddly. Avoid dark colours unless in very bright daylight. And make sure you appreciate the difference between UK and USA terms as stitches are differently named.”
The rate of progression depends on passion and free time. But inspiration is everywhere with free patterns and instruction videos available via bloggers and YouTubers. Patterns are ever-improving and more on-trend than in the past and social media is swamped with DIY crochet garments, accessories and home accents. As influencers and journalists are saying: “Not Your Grandma’s Crochet”!
Main photo: Julia Brown (right) wearing one of her crocheted cardigans with Jules Russell (left) who embellishes her knitting with crocheted trimmings.
Facebook: KNITLUZLY – LUZ KNIT & NATTER
