Let’s be honest. There aren’t many things you can do while you crochet. Unlike knitting, and I’m talking about simple knitting here, you have to actually LOOK at your work in order to make your stitches.
The older I get, the more I realize that I only have one life and I have to make it count. Suffice it to say that I am trying to cram as much as I can into every single minute of the day (and quite a few minutes of the night).
This is the first week after Sophie’s Universe and I am oddly wistful and (already) nostalgic. I find myself thinking about all the memories that went into designing and making Sophie, and all the things I did while doing so.
I figured it would be fun to share the 5 things I do while I crochet. If you have more ideas to add, please feel free to comment.
1. Watch Movies and TV Shows
My favourite thing to do while I crochet is to watch TV shows and movies. Having watched all the series I wanted to watch on Sky, I signed up for Amazon Prime, which I LOVE!!! When I was designing Sophie’s Universe I watched The Good Wife, Birdsong, Great Expectations, and Downton Abbey, to name but a few.
Downton Abbey, in particular, will forever remind me of the complete mess I made of Sophie’s Universe and the 60 rounds I had to frog and redo due to a ‘fatal design flaw’. Just look at all those ends!
Having Amazon Prime on my computer only, however, was limiting my multi-tasking abilities. I couldn’t watch, crochet, answer emails, and type instructions all at the same time. So I bought myself the Amazon Fire Stick.
Is it weird that the most exciting thing about the Fire Stick is that it came with batteries? I hate buying stuff and realizing that I don’t have the correct batteries!
Now I can watch Prime on the television AND utilize my hook and computer at the same time. Score!
2. Listen to Audio Books
If you can’t watch something while crocheting, Audio Books are an excellent alternative. I find that listening to something while I work actually makes me concentrate more on the task at hand, not less.
My Lazy Waves blanket always reminds me of listening to David Copperfield (Great) and A Tale of Two Cities (Yawn!!). I listened to both of these on Librivox, which is a free audio book service for Classics. Librivox audio books are read by volunteers, though, so you might find it a bit disconcerting when the narrator keeps changing. In ‘The Mill on the Floss’, for example, the narrator changes in every chapter, and I am finding it quite hard going. And now you know what I’ve been listening to today…
If you prefer more modern books, you can always Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks
3. Learn a Foreign Language
There are two ways you can go about this. You can either listen to an audio language course (like Rosetta Stone) while crocheting…
…or you can do what Sidekick Jenny did and buy a crochet book in a foreign language!
It is true that this last option won’t teach you anything but crochet-related words, but Jenny had a lot of fun making her cute little Esmée from the original Dutch book, ‘Dikke Dames’. The english version of the book is now available from Amazon.co.uk HERE
I am trying to learn French myself (don’t laugh), but the only thing I can say with confidence so far is ‘qu’est ce que tu veux boire‘ (‘what would you like to drink?’).
4. Walk (or Commute)
Ok, so I don’t really walk while I crochet (I’d much rather sit on my comfy couch), but I do crochet while I walk, if that makes sense.
Since I was about 12 years old, I have read while I walk (and while I do most things apart from crochet). I find walking by myself to be the most boring pastime in the universe, and without a book in front of me I detest every step. I’ve heard ‘you are going to walk into a lamp post’ so many times that it stopped being funny 10 years ago. But in 2012 I realized that I could crochet while I walk.
Providing that the project is small, it is actually much easier than reading while you walk, because your peripheral vision isn’t as limited as when you have a book right in front of your face.
This was the first time I tried to crochet while I walk. I was testing Rhondda Mol’s ‘Is it Knit? Crochet Hat‘, using Patons Smoothie in Slate. The plaster on my finger is because I slammed my thumb in the kitchen door and cut it badly.
I found it so easy that I kept doing it all the way through making the wedges for my book, ‘Amamani Puzzle Balls‘ and the squares for the Block a Week CAL 2014.
Katherine’s Rose by Melinda Miller (Block a Week CAL 2014)
I crochet on the tube as well, as all my Sophies would tell you if blankets were able to talk. I find that it makes the journey to and from work much more relaxing and fruitful! You can see some of my #crochetonthetube photos HERE.
5. Bake
Another of my passions is baking.
I used to make lots and lots of cakes before crochet took over my life. I still bake, but my kitchen is teeny and I don’t really have time to make fiddly fondant-covered cakes anymore.
If you are going to bake while crocheting, you need recipes that require a lot of ‘down time’, like raising and long baking times. Things like casseroles will work too, as long as whatever you are making requires a lot of cooking/baking time and very little preparation time.
Most importantly: use a timer! It is sooo easy to forget to check on something when you’re crocheting. My mother burnt her rice (Is that even possible? Yes!) twice while working on Sophie.
My favourite things to bake while crocheting are Buttermil Rusks (hard South African dunking yummies, best served with a cup of ‘Boere Koffie’)…
…and bread (which I LOVE to bake).
Both of these afford me the luxury of looking like I have worked incredibly hard without actually having to spend much time on them.
Righto. That’s my list. What’s yours? Are there things you absolutely HAVE to do while crocheting, or is the act of crocheting enough for you in and of itself?
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shweta says
I loved all the things you do while crocheting. For me, I crochet with my daughter by my side, watching Baby TV or Rhymes on You Tube. I’ve become a master in all Rhymes now!
Linden Bird says
I tend to do the movies. Hoping you will post when the Fat Fabulous Ladies Crochet is available as the UK site doesn’t post to Australia!
Rhondda Mol says
I watch Netflix ;) and currently I am working on Supernatural which is like 200 episodes long so I have lots of viewing left :) Thank you for sharing my Is It Knit Hat Link :) xo Rhondda
Dedri Uys says
Oooh…is it good? Might try that as I am running out of shows…
You are most welcome.
Ruth D in Florida says
I have the app, Duolingo, on my iPhone and I’m learning Italian. It’s pretty great!
Dedri Uys says
Thanx for the tip. I will have a look at it :)
Alla says
I have learned to count in several languages while watching crochet on YouTube.
Luckily I speak and read Russian so those sites are particularly interesting,
You can get so much crocheting done while watching the T.V. or listening to the radio.
Making a Dr Who scarf for my Grandson, need it finished by August !
Dedri Uys says
Ah, that’s a good plan. Maybe I should try and see in how many languages I can learn to count…
Hilarykathrine says
Thank you for being so generous and inspirational. Your colour choices are dazzling! I listen to audiobooks as well, but I download them from my local library – over 7,500 to choose from.
Helen says
Throw on your favorite CDs and stimulate that auditory nerve. Doesn’t matter what type of music as long as its something you enjoy,,, bound to stimulate those creative fingers SMILE Helen
Beth Bowles says
Go to: http://serialpodcast.org/ to listen to the Serial podcast from the creators of This American Life, and is hosted by Sarah Koenig. Serial tells one story – a true story – over the course of an entire season. It’s free and it entertained me during many hours of crocheting Sophie. Season 2 will be coming toward the end of 2015.
Dedri…your so informative, creative, and kind. Thank you for this post, Sophie and all previous posts. God bless!
pati says
I also listened to the podcast. Love it!
Marla says
Beth, thank you. I love listening to stuff while I work and I’ve never heard of the Serial podcast. Excited to download and start listening.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you for the recommendation, Beth. I will have a look :)
Kathy says
For language learning, I highly recommend the “Coffee Break” podcasts from RadioLingua. I used “Coffee Break French”, and it was fantastic! Each podcast is about 15-20 minutes long, and I learned really quickly and easily, and it really helped me feel confident on our trip to France. Plus, the podcasts are FREE! You can purchase bonus materials, but I found the podcasts alone were sufficient for my needs. They have lots of languages, so once you’re fluent in French, you can just start with another language!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Kathy.
Jill Lockerman says
Doing the laundry while sitting on the couch to listen to tv while crocheting is a great way to appear productive. I mean, 5 loads of laundry is a terribly impressive answer to “What did you accomplish today?”
Dedri Uys says
Jill, I can kick myself for forgetting about laundry. That is the ultimate look-like-you’ve-worked-super-hard multitask chore.
Roslyn Brodie says
I too watch tv or movies while I’m crocheting – not live tv ever anymore, can’t stand ads. I also listen to podcasts and audio books, but that’s about it for me. I am trying to live more mindfully so when I walk or cook I concentrate on that, the world is a beautiful place when you notice it :)
Dedri Uys says
That is very true, Roslyn.
Kate says
In the daytime, crocheting becomes meditation time for me. My mind goes off somewhere and I think of nothing, worry about nothing, just meditative peace happens. I don’t ever want to multi-task because of this. It’s such a creative time for my mind and soul.
I also crochet most evenings while watching TV.
MaryT says
While crocheting I can have it quiet or have the TV going. My husband likes to watch what I consider strange movies so crocheting keeps me busy but I also crochet and watch programs/movies that I enjoy as well.
If I tried to walk and crochet here in the US I would fear for my life. I don’t know about there, but drivers do not pay attention to what they are supposed to be doing so as a pedestrian you MUST watch what is going on around you, sad but true. I can’t listen to good music as I like to sing along and I can’t sing/talk and count at the same time. I count every single stitch of every single row/round of anything I am working on. I do bake while crocheting since I can set the timer or set my Echo to let me know when it is time to get up from my crocheting. I do take my project (whatever it may be) with me when ever I have an appointment anywhere. Many people have commented on my work and I have caused enough interest with tween/teens a couple of time that I always carry some of the inexpensive plastic hooks and a ball of left over light colored yarn. I gladly take the time to teach someone the basics on the spot and send them home with hook, yarn and a few sites they can go to online as soon as they get home. All of us should take the time to try to interest someone/anyone in the craft everywhere we go.
MaryT says
Also, sorry about your finger. I do hope it healed well for you.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your work! (fiber and food!)
Next project will be puzzle balls for my grandson.
My husband is interested in learning crochet as well.
Please keep up the good work.
Dedri Uys says
Mary, hi. I am always bumping, bruising, jarring…
BUT My finger healed fine :)
Teach him! I’ve just taught another male and it feels like they pick it up quicker than the females I have taught so far.
Dedri Uys says
Mary, I make sure that I stay on the sidewalk, away from crazy busy roads. I always look up regularly and make sure that I am holding my work at such an angle that I can see both the pavement in front of my feet AND the pavement a bit ahead of me. I def don’t recommend it to everyone. But it works for me :)
Nicola says
I love to watch Netflix on my iPad Mini while I crochet. I went through all the seasons of the Good Wife, currently watching Foyle’s War, previously watched Bones and Psych. I also like to meet with a crocheting friend at her house or a cafe. I will have to try the walking/crochet combination!
Carmen N says
I love Foyle’s War! I’m going to be sad when we finish watching them all
Suzanne Broadhurst says
I am so amazed you walk and crochet! You are my hero of the day! And when I referenced Terry Pratchett’s dwarf bread (from your recipe) in my son’s company, he got so excited! He’s been reading through the Discworld books. ;-)
Dedri Uys says
Suzanne, Terry rocks! I still love the Discworld books and I think they speak volumes about social norms and traditions/conceptions without being hard to follow. It’s like absorbing philosophy without having to understand (or even realize) it. I love C.S. Lewis for the same reason.
Alice says
I watch TV too or help the kids with their homework which currently would my list but years ago I breast fed whilst crocheting.
Barb Taylor says
I listen to Pandora, I have a couple of stations I have shuffled, so as not to get bored with one genre.
Audio books are my 2nd favorite, I’ve never heard before of https://librivox.org/, I will have to try it, thanks, Dedri.
Thank you also for introducing Sophie to me, I am in love with her. I have plans to make several in different color schemes.
Barb
Dedri Uys says
You are very welcome, Barb. At the risk of showing my ignorance, I have never heard of Pandora…
Andrea says
I watch the telly too!! I originally picked up crocheting again after many yrs away so I would have something to do while sitting with my hubby in the evenings!! We are in the midst of Netflix’ series, “House of Cards” but we are big fans of Amazon Prime too!!
Carol Vile says
Since I read about RTS I have tried crochet as a car passenger, only works in daylight (I guess that could be a case for light up hooks), and it keeps me from falling asleep like I normally do. I took my crochet and did it during Slimming World, was ok until we had to do clapping, that was a bit disruptive!
I love that basket you made on the tube, I desperately need to make a peg basket!
Dedri Uys says
Haha. Love it. “A bit disruptive”. How dare slimming world’s clapping interrupt your crochet…
Helene Nilsen says
I’ve also discovered that I can crochet while I walk! It happened because I became so obsessed when beginning crocheting Sophie’s Universe. I started taking the bus instead of driving to work to get more daily crochet time and that day when I realized I could also crochet while I walked the 10 mins from the bus stop to the office was a happy day:) And I continued doing this until my Sophie was actually quite large – I carried her in a tote (fabric bag) with long shoulder straps.
Dedri Uys says
It’s a great way to get in some exercise without feeling like you are exercising.