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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Mara says
Thank you!
Kay Crone says
I’ve loved reading these comments! I also cook casseroles (in the winter) and do the laundry while crocheting, it always fools my husband! I usually listen to music, the same stuff on my ipod I play over and over again, so sometimes a certain song will bring back vivid memories of crochet or sewing I’ve done in the past, which I love! And if my project doesn’t take up all my concentration, then I often plan my next project, or think about things I’d like to make! Like a second Sophie!! But first, the cute little cable stitch pots, and maybe a few amigurumi …
Dedri Uys says
Kay, I’m surprised at the amount of comments this post has. I guess everyone has too little time these days, and too many things to do. I just had a thought…do you think a yoga/crochet class could work? Imagine crocheting while doing the upside down dog!
Maggie Bullock says
We travel a lot, so I crochet while hubby drives, and I crochet when visiting the grand kiddies, they love it, sitting vey close around me asking so many questions, I’ll have them all crocheting befor they finish primary school. Crocheting when with another crafter over coffee and swapping ideas etc has to be my favourite, so relaxing. Other times I find it a great source of meditation, I have my most creative inspirations then.
PS, if I could stay of the Internet oogling all the patterns and sites I’d get much more done.
Maggie xx
Deneice says
I like to crochet while riding in the car or on the train. I also listen to audiobooks all the time, but get them from the library now. Many of the books that are on Librivox are available through the library, and don’t even count against the number of books you are allowed to check out at once.
Belinda says
I like to crochet in front of the TV and with a group of chatty fellow crocheters in a sunny room. but best of all is on a road trip,camping in front of a roaring campfire,or sitting looking out at the ocean watching the kids roll down the grassy slopes to make sandcastles on the beach
Dedri Uys says
Oooh, a campfire sounds like an awesome place to crochet…
Melissa says
Overdrive is a great app for audio books, you borrow them using your library card. I listen often while crocheting late at night.
~Melissa
Dedri Uys says
Thank you for the hint, Melissa.
Laura Cabaness Johnson says
I play billiards/pool with my other half and on a team. Between my turns I get a few stitches in and play and keep score all at the same time. Everyone is always asking me what I am making LOL
Audrey Minchin says
Enjoyed all the comments, I do crochet when I am up to it. Health issues have slowed me down quite a bit. I usually watch tv or movies, Also listen to music, Elvis is my favorite. Love to read patterns & have been collecting for years. Looking forward to receiving these newsletters
Heather Gibbs says
Audio books I would definitely recommend Terry Pratchett read by Simon Briggs, just AWESOME! and I have to say Netflix was the best investment we ever made! I’m binge watching ’24’ at the moment. And I’m so trying crocheting with walking in my future!
Dedri Uys says
I love Terry Pratchett. I’ve listened to quite a few of the audio books.
Elizabeth says
24 was always so stressful for me that I had to crochet while watching it, but my stitches would get really tight! So I started keeping dishcloth projects just for those shows, that way it didn’t matter.
Dedri Uys says
I tried watching it. The first 6 episodes of the first series were good, but then I found my mind drifting a bit. I like things like NCIS, House, and Criminal Minds better, but that is just me. I like series with “new” things every episode, but where the personality and relationships of the characters develop over each episode. I am going to try the second season of 24 though, just to see if I like it better now.
D
Vicki (aka dragonfly7673) says
My favorite time to knit or crochet… during conference calls! I work for a global company and over half of my meetings are actually over the phone. Like your audio books, I actually concentrate better when I’m working on a project than when I’m not.
Sandy says
The nicest way to crochet is with a group of like-minded ladies of varying ages. Feels like something women have done since time immemorial. It’s really lovely.
I like to crochet and watch dramas, comedies or documentaries, often on Blinkbox. I also adore audiobooks and will swap listening-while-doing-housework for listening-while-sitting-crocheting :-) I gobble up audiobooks via Audible and Librivox. I agree with you about the changing narrators on the ‘collaborative’ recordings on Librivox. It can be a little jarring to have so many different voices and sometimes they’ll have the most boring voice under the sun BUT there are some excellent dramatised versions of books and some excellent solo versions. My favourite readers are Kara Shallenberg, Mary Anderson and Ruth Golding. Kara’s reading of ‘Helen’s Babies’ is wonderful! Always cheers me up :-) I’m attempting to learn Mandarin atm by listening, but find I end up pausing to think about it too much to crochet.
Right, I’m going back to my experiment – crocheting a rag rug from a former pair of curtains (I cut my strips too thick but I’m determined to finish it).
Dedri Uys says
No way, Sandy! It’s like looking in a mirror, reading your comment. Kara (Kayray) is lovely. For the life of me I can’t remember which of my last Librivox books she narrated, but I remember thinking that I have to remember her, and have actually written her name down in my diary. I also love working with fabric yarn and have just finished 2 large pouffes out of fabric yarn.
Dedri
Georgina says
Are you like me , feeling sad now that your beautiful Sophie has come to an end, I finished mine and have moped about the house all week , my mojo has gone , until I can afford to buy new yarn and make another one ,i miss you , and look forward to you next project , thank you for everything best wishes
Dedri Uys says
Aww, Georgina, don’t be sad. Although, if I am honest, I am a little bit sad myself. but there are so many gorgeous patterns out there. Make something small out of your brightest scrap yarn!
Aliice says
Theses days, I’ve been ignoring the television more than watching it since it’s re-runs and too much bad news. The second thing I find myself doing quite a bit is day-dreaming; baking and laundry. Listening to classical music which I love, is something I don’t often make time to do is great for when I need to shut out the world and really concentrate on pattern instructions. I’ve also started crocheting over coffee with a good friend who knits. I have to be doing a simple pattern or else I end up having to frog it or stop – but it’s fun and a great way to socialize.
deb rowley says
I like to catch up on tv shows by watching on HULU. They have older shows and I can watch multiple episodes in one sitting. I also cook while crocheting. To avoid overcooking, which I have done, I sit a small portable timer next to me to ring a few minutes before I expect my food to be done. I hadn’t thought of learning a new language, but that is a great idea!
Cassie says
I walk around the house and crochet while watching a 12 month old and 3 year old play and destroy my house. And I really wish there was some way to crochet and work out!
Dedri Uys says
Me too!
Lynda says
Have you tried crocheting while using a stationary bike? I have tried reading while doing that, but you have to make sure the seat isn’t tilting down in the front or you keep sliding forward. LOL I think I’ll try crocheting while doing that myself, now that I’ve come up with the idea!
I am just getting started on my Sophie. I missed all the camaraderie that all of you had while doing yours, but it sounds like I will still have some company while doing mine since Sophie will NEVER be a thing of the past!!! Thank you soooo much, Dedri, for sharing her with all of us!
Dedri Uys says
Lynda, I used to, but our stationary bike is in the garage now and all spiderwebby and yuk.
Gina says
Love your website and newsletters! I can’t crochet and walk,wish I could but I would break my neck. I crochet during any wait times and while watching TV in the evenings. I am fortunate to have a job where I can crochet at work many days and it really helps to pass the time. All of my laundry gets washed and dried while I am crocheting, too. I agree with your review of Amazon Prime, I watch many things on Prime and really appreciate that you can watch anywhere you have internet access and of course, getting free books on Amazon is awesome as well. Look forward to the next post, I always enjoy them.
Dedri Uys says
Bummer…I forgot about laundry. Now THAT makes you look like you’ve worked hard.
Anette says
Back in the days I was hosting a book cafe for teens called the “Twilight segment” – all those starting to read paranormal romance books for young adults.
To do it I was forced to read the whole Twilight Saga, bit since the translation to Danish was so horrible I decided to do it as an audiobook in English and at least get some proper English education while still l did my duties. I was not a huge fan of Twilight, so I grabbed my crochet hook and finished a big baby blanket after three Twilight book. Yay! Made listening so much easier.
Also, I watched Drop Dead Diva on Netflix while making Sophie, as well as podcasts and music are favorites too. Talking with boyfriend about everything and nothing while he sits across the room, painting miniature Warhammers, comes in as a close second :-) We can spend a whole evening just talking, painting and crocheting without tv or music. Bliss!
Dedri Uys says
Lol…I have to admit that I couldn’t get to grips with the books, but I am a HUGE fan of the movies. Pretty sad, hey?
Anette says
Haha, yeah, well, we are allowed to have our little indulgencies once in a while ;-)
Mine is romance books :P
Kelly says
My favorite things to do while crafting are chat on the computer, read Twitter, and listen to/watch baseball on the radio or TV. A typical evening is: get home, walk pooch, water garden, make dinner, run errands, and then settle in with the TV remote and my project to watch a documentary, a game, the news, and maybe a latenight show (I love Jimmy Fallon!) and then bed.
PS: Don’t look at what time this is posted. It’s NOT 1:35AM. If I keep telling myself I went to bed 90 minutes ago it’ll be true, right? ;)
Dedri Uys says
Hehe…a night owl, are you?
Elsie Pop says
I indulge in a little #commutercrochet most days! It really does make the journey less, well, horrible! Always crocheting when watching TV too, but my husband gets annoyed when I don’t know what the characters look like several seasons in…!
Dedri Uys says
Hehe…I don’t think I’ve been that bad yet. I generally want to see what the people look like!
Kelley Macek says
I ‘watch’ TV quite a bit. I prefer shows with more dialogue than action for crocheting. That way, I don’t miss anything. There’s a DVR here just in case.
I listen to TED talks, and lectures on my computer. I am in grad school, so I love it when I can find relevant subject material in audio formats!
I ride my bicycle and crochet – read, too. I have been too sedentary and with all of my old injuries, it’s been causing bad troubles. So I got a bicycle. Then I thought it would be great to get a treadmill for bad weather. Too expensive. Er, well….it meant sacrificing book and yarn money. So I got a stand for the rear axle of my hybrid bike and a riser block for the front. I sit and crochet while I pedal. I need to try this walking thing….
I crochet whenever I’m waiting: in between classes, at doc’s appointments, at the diner while I wait for food. I love it when younger people (kids mostly) ask what it is, and the elders (think of nice grannies) are thrilled to see someone my age (laaaaate 40s) just working away.