It’s March, and that means it’s National Crochet Month. Of course, you can celebrate crochet all year, but here are some ideas for things you can do to recognize #NatCroMo.
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Don’t hide! Let others see what you are doing!
Crochet while you are waiting for appointments, waiting in line, waiting for your kids, or simply spending time outside. Why fiddle with your phone when you could be crocheting?
Teach someone to crochet. Share your passion. If you can crochet, you can teach someone else.
Nervous about teaching? Don’t be! Check out the Craft Yarn Council Certified Instructors Program, a program that gives you the tools and knowledge you need to be an effective teacher.
Learn a new technique. Stretch your wings!
Do you know foundation single crochet? Join-as-you-go? How to avoid gaps at the beginning of rows? How to block your projects?
You can never know everything there is to know about crochet, but take this month to learn more. The more you know, the better (and happier) crocheter you will be.
Don’t get stuck in a rut. Let this be the month you try a new stitch pattern. There are thousands of ways you can combine basic crochet stitches to make fabulous fabrics.
Check out online sources for individual stitch patterns, or look at some of the following stitch dictionaries, which offer many stitch patterns in one place.
Get comfortable with symbol charts. If you’ve shied away from crochet symbol diagrams, take some time now to understand them. Symbol diagrams are a visual representation of crochet stitches. They can be a huge help in understanding the sometimes confusing language in crochet patterns.
To learn about creating crochet charts, read In Search of Crochet Charting Software and watch How to Read a Crochet Pattern, which includes reading a crochet diagram. The very best way to learn about charts is to use them! All of my books, and most of my self-published patterns, include charts as well as text.
Splurge on a new tool. Whether it’s that special crochet hook you’ve been wondering about or a special ball of yarn you’ve been coveting, treat yourself to something special.
Make a quick crocheted gift. Everyone loves to get a handmade gift. Celebrate the month by crocheting a quick gift and give it to someone you love—or to a complete stranger!
For bonus points, wrap your gift in “crocheted” gift wrap paper.
Put crochet in an unexpected place. Crochet a border on a picture frame or basket. Or go big and yarn bomb something! It’s always fun to see crochet in a surprising place.
Join a Crochet Along (CAL). Crochet Alongs happen all the time, so you should be able to find one at any time you happen to read this post. This month, I’m finishing up a 5-Panel Blanket Crochet Along with Plymouth Yarn, but you can still join in and catch up in your own time.
Previously I did a Skill-Builder Crochet Blanket CAL, but it’s still available for you to join at any time. Check Ravelry for other CALs.
It’s fun to crochet with others. If you’ve crocheted in public, you’ve probably run into like-minded souls there. Collect their contact information and meet up at a local coffee shop.
Find a local crochet guild, form a lunchtime crochet group at work or school, or see if your local yarn shop has a “open table” for yarn crafts.
Consider going to a crochet conference, where you’ll find oh-so-many passionate crocheters. The Crochet Guild of America hosts the annual Chain Link conference. It includes a market and crochet classes for all skill levels. There’s plenty of opportunity for sharing laughter and knowledge with other crocheters.
What you are going to do to celebrate National Crochet Month?
Thank you for the tips!
I love crocheting.
Once retired, I was able crochet in public! Now I have the potential to crochet twice a month in two different libraries and a church. That’s six times a month! I have to be careful to take a ‘non-thinking project’; I’ve found I can’t count and be social! I now usually have two projects going at the same time.
One way I celebrate is by hanging out in the Party! International Crochet Month group on Ravelry.
I tried a new pattern this month; a clutch purse to match my Easter dress. It was a lot of fun and I’m so glad I did!
I crochet in public in all the places you mention and then some. So every month is National Crochet Month for me.
Thank you for the many ways we can let other people become aware of crocheting during the month of March. I love to crochet and have been making things since I was a teenager–over 40+ years ago.