19 Powerful Ways to Practice Self-Care With Crochet

Crochet is a great way to combat mental health and well-being but sometimes we can get lost in making for others instead of ourselves. The 19 powerful ways to practice self-care with crochet that I’m sharing today are going to change the game for you. Self care is so important but most of us blow it off as not necessary. You’re not doing that anymore because these self-care tips will have you realizing it’s not a choice but a necessity.

Have you ever wondered why flight attendants tell you to secure your oxygen masks first? Because we have to take care of ourselves first in order to assist others.

So what are the 19 ways to practice self-care with crochet? Here’s a quick look:

Keep reading for even further detail on how to incorporate each of these tips. But first, let me address these common questions.

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Is crochet self care?

Absolutely! Crochet can actually be a form of radical self care, depending on how you use it (more on this below).

What is radical self care?

According to California State University, “Radical self-care involves deep reflective work that prioritizes our own inner peace and commitment to take care of ourselves first before attempting to take care of others. [It] involves healing our hearts and souls and our bodies in order to keep going.”

In this post you will learn all the ways to practice self care with crochet. I want you to remember why you chose to learn crochet in the first place. But I know, no matter the reason you started, there are a few ways crochet can cause more stress rather than relieve it.

Radical self-care involves deep reflective work that prioritizes our own inner peace and commitment to take care of ourselves first before attempting to take care of others. [It] involves healing our hearts and souls and our bodies in order to keep going.”

California state university

If you learned to crochet in order to start a small business, this could bring all kinds of stress. The stress of pricing, operating a business, learning various softwares, dealing with angry customers, crocheting the actual items, and a whole lot more.

If you learned to make gifts for family, you would think that would come with more joy (and, of course, most of the time it does). However, it can also cause stress in different ways. Maybe you’ve experienced a friend or family member feeling disappointed by their gift. Or you receive constant requests for what to make next and you don’t turn them down because you hate to say no. Does that sound like you?

Let me know in the comments if this relates to you. What are some ways crochet causes you stress? And how do you use crochet relieve it?

As wonderful as it is to gift handmade items, we can get caught up in only crocheting for other people. This can cause resentment, overwhelm, and even the loss of your crojo. If you want to bring back the amazing mental health benefits of crochet, then keep reading this post.

What does it mean to crochet through emotions?

If you haven’t heard of Crocheting Through The Emotions, you’re in for a treat! This new take on crochet that I created is a way to encourage radical self care, especially when crocheting for positive emotions. If you want to learn more about this, read the full post.

Why is crochet good for mental health?

Crochet is good for mental health because it’s a creative outlet that creates a meditative like state while you crochet. It helps push the worries away and relieve the stress. It also gives you a sense of accomplishment and a way to help those in need. Actually, crochet isn’t just good for mental health, it’s GREAT!

What are the 4 benefits of crocheting?

There are a lot more than four benefits to crocheting and you can read more benefits here. However, I would say the 4 most important benefits of crocheting are:

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Sense of accomplishment
• Increases productivity
• Promotes mindfulness and relaxation

19 Powerful Ways to Practice Self-Care With Crochet

There are lots of different ways to practice self care with crochet. The first 5 I’m going to share are my 5 RULES To Crocheting Through The Emotions. You have to follow these rules if you’re crocheting to improve your mental health or else it won’t work.

The rest of the tips are more like gentle shoves towards even better self care. You got this!

The 5 Rules for Crocheting Through Emotions

1. Have an open mind
2. Make time to crochet
3. Toss perfectionism out the window
4. Do not set deadlines
5. Have fun!

If you want to go the extra mile, read all 19 ways to practice self care with crochet to reap all the mental health benefits. You know all I want is what’s best for you! 

1. Have an Open Mind

Be ready to be helped. Follow the “Crochet Through The Emotions” original patterns, the meditative exercises, and participate in the journal entries! There’s a reason why they’re all paired together.

And if you don’t “feel like it” or you don’t think it will work, that’s usually the thing that changes us. Fear is holding you back and all you need to do is have an open mind and be willing to give it a try.

The reason why battling mental health is such a struggle is because it’s all internal. It’s up to YOU to get better. No one else can do it for you. And if you’ve been lost for a long time, then you have to start by finding yourself.

2. Make Time to Crochet

There’s no such thing as “not having enough time”. If you don’t have enough time, then that’s a sign to take a good hard look at your priorities. When you say you’re “too busy” that really means “I’m not willing to make time for this right now.”

Who or what are you prioritizing over yourself? Because your mental health is the most important thing.

3. Do NOT Set Deadlines

Crochet is meant to slow down, not speed up.

One way crochet can cause stress is by feeling obligated to make things for other people. If you’re working towards improving your mental health, I’m going to suggest you take a break from crocheting for others. Start crocheting for YOU.

And if all you want to do is crochet for others, that’s fine! Just don’t set a deadline. Give it away as a gift any time of the year OR save it for the holidays! Deadlines equal pressure which equals overwhelm which equals anxiety. Don’t do that to yourself.

4. Toss Perfectionism Out the Window

As an anxious perfectionist myself, this one has always been hard for me. But I know for a fact that with every project I’ve ever made, there’s a mistake. And that’s okay.

If you’ve been making something and you keep ripping it out because it’s not perfect, move on. Try a different project OR if it’s a small mistake that you know nobody but you will notice, then leave it. It’s okay!

5. Have FUN

Take it slow and enjoy the process of creating. Make the things YOU want to make (not what others want you to make) and if you’re new to crochet, don’t rush the learning.

And speaking of learning, start with my 7 Day Learn To Crochet Challenge for step by step instructions and video tutorial. Or head straight to my youtube channel to get started.

Have fun making simple projects, learning new techniques, and trying a new stitch. If you make a mistake (and you’ll make many), that’s part of the process.

6. Ask for Help

Joining crochet groups online is great for self care because you have lots of people at your fingertips to ask questions and get answers quick!

You can post pictures or videos inside the group to explain what problem you’re having and we’ll all try to help a sista out! And besides getting your questions answered, you can also just chat about supplies and share finished projects and encouragement for others learning.

Join my free Facebook Group here

7. Take Breaks

When your patience is at its end, take a break from your crochet project. This can mean to take a break for a day or even a few weeks. It’s okay not to crochet if you’re just not feeling it. Here are some tips on getting your crojo back if that’s the case (post coming soon!).

You should also take breaks as your crocheting. Every 30 minutes or so (depending on what yarn you’re using) set your work down to stretch your hands, drink a glass of water, or get up and walk around. 

8. Frogging is GOOD

It means you’re learning! I know in the moment its frustrating. But there are two ways to look at it. You can get upset and look at it as a bad thing or you can say…

“Well that sucks. Next time let me use stitch markers so I know my stitch count is on point.”
– OR –
“Next time I’ll read the notes of the pattern before I start so I know that the chain 2 doesn’t count as a stitch.”

Or something of that nature. There’s always something to learn from mistakes. Not just in crochet but in life too 😉

If you’re feeling frustrated and thinking, “screw the optimism, I’m pissed at this project!” . Then go put your crochet project in timeout and work on something else instead. Maybe your project will get jealous of you working on another project and then next time it’ll behave!

9. Challenge Yourself

Breaking the rules is one way to challenge yourself. Another way is to try a technique you’ve never tried. For example; tunisian crochet, C2C, colorwork, or amigurumi.

You can also try making a project that you wouldn’t normally make. Garments, baskets, headbands, and baby toys are just a few examples.

There are so many things you can do with crochet that it’s impossible to get bored with it. You just have to keep trying new things.

And that’s why two of the emotions I often crochet for is curiosity and creativity. Not only is it fun, but it’s good for your brain to learn new things. Find more crochet projects related to these two categories here:

Crocheting for Curiosity

Crocheting for Creativity

10. Work on a Simple Pattern

We don’t have to crochet something complex for it to be beautiful. Some of my favorite projects use the basic stitches. They are:

• straight to the point
• easy to get started
• easy to get lost in (creating a meditative state with the repetitive motions)
• and you will feel cool calm and collected throughout because you’re in a safe space with nothing to worry about.

It’s the best way to relax!

When I need a free pattern like this, I pull from my Crocheting Through Anger/Stress category. These patterns distract your mind from negative thoughts and becomes very therapeutic. All of these patterns use simple stitches, like double crochet and single crochet. 

11. Break the Rules

Who says you have to follow the rules of crochet? Yes there are some basic stitches and techniques but once you know those, anything goes!

How do you think stitches and new techniques were created for us to learn? Because someone broke the rules and decided to try something new. 💡

Experiment with different yarn weights held together, crocheting with multiple strands, different colors, different fibers, different stitches. You can even hold the crochet hook in your toes and crochet that way!

Do what makes you happy and you’ll enjoy every second.

12. Crochet On-The-Go

Do you feel anxious when in the waiting room of the dentists office? I do! That’s why I always bring my crochet.

If you have any sort of social anxiety, crocheting in public can really help. Lets say you have to take a bus or subway frequently, bringing your project along can calm the nerves.

You can also bring it to the park if you want to get some fresh air. Either crochet when you get there or even while you’re walking! I love using this cute little tote bag when I go to the park with my kiddos.

13. Make Something Small & Quick!

Sometimes we just want to make something that takes little time because there’s nothing more satisfying than a finished piece.

You can work on a smaller project like a keychain or a simple coaster. Or you can work on a larger project and use chunky yarn to make it go faster!

Finishing a small project gives immediate satisfaction which works great when you’re feeling bored or sad. Especially when you have another project that you had to set aside because you kept making mistakes.

It will have you thinking, “Oh yeah, I am good at this!”

14. Use Color Changing Yarn

Why go through the stress of multiple color changes and the dread of weaving in ends when you can just buy a color changing yarn! It does all the work for you 😉

This is one of my biggest stressers when making a multi-colored project 😂 Am I the only one?

Using this type of yarn when feeling stressed is perfect because it’s best for simple stitches. It looks like you put a lot of effort into it when really you got to relax the whole time!

With variegated yarn, you don’t want to use a complex stitch because you won’t even be able to see it. With self-striping yarn, you can use simple or complex stitches.

Here are some of my favorite self-striping and variegated yarns:

• Lion Brand Cover Story
• Premier Anti Pilling Butterfly
• Hobbii Twister
• Lion Brand Mandala Ombre

You can even make this cozy, chunky blanket using one skein Lion Brand Cover Story!

15. Choose Colors You Love

Of course there’s more ease in color changing yarns, but if you enjoy choosing colors then pick colors you love.

Head over to Pinterest and search for color palettes that go with your favorite color. After that, go to a few different websites to see if they have the colors you’re looking for! My favorite places to buy yarn are Lion Brand, Lovecrafts, and Premier Yarns.

When we use colors we love, it puts a smile on our face the whole time we’re making. Especially when we get to the next color!

16. Indulge in a New Crochet Hook

I talk about this so much that I would be surprised if you hadn’t heard it yet 😂

If you have any sort of chronic pain while you’re crocheting (which I assume causes either physical or emotional stress), then you need to upgrade your hooks!

Not only will this help you enjoy the craft more, but it will work wonders for the aches and pains. My favorite hooks to use are Clover Amour. I’ve tested MANY hooks over the years and I always come back to my Clovers that I’ve been using for 6 years now.

You can usually get them at the cheapest price on Amazon. But you can also get them at Joanns and use one of their 50% off coupons if you have the app!

17. Crochet Even When Life Is Busy

This is actually one of the best times TO crochet! You should always add some crochet to your day, even when life is busy. You deserve that time for yourself. But even if you decide not to crochet, make sure you’re doing something else as a creative outlet.

Some examples are:

• coloring
• drawing
• scrapbooking
• cross stitch
• or seriously any other activity that you love doing.

Do you enjoy creative crafts outside of crochet?
Let me know which ones in the comments!

Remember, saying “I don’t have time” means you’re prioritizing all the things over your creativity. You might not believe me, but creative expression is so important for mental well-being and brain health! So you should absolutely prioritize it.

Take a step back and look at your day to day life. Are there certain things you can pull back on in order to fit in some crochet time? Can you crochet on your lunch break? For 30 minutes before you go to bed?

If you listen to anything I say today, please make sure you are taking care of your mental health and allowing yourself the time to be creative.

18. Crochet FOR Self Care

Speaking of mental health, you can crochet something specific to your self care practice! I don’t have many designs ready yet, but I’m working on releasing a lot in the future. When they’re available, they’ll go under my Crocheting for Self-Care category.

Subscribe to my email list to be the first to hear of new free crochet patterns!

19. Practice Deep Breathing

Last but not least, practice some deep breathing. There are immense benefits to deep breathing, no matter how “woo woo” it sounds to you.

Consider taking less than 5 minutes out of your day to practice deep breathing in the morning when you first wake up or in between sips of coffee. Then again at night before bed, laying down or sitting up. Here what to do:

1. breathe in for 5 seconds
2. hold for 5 seconds
3. breathe out for 5 seconds
4. Repeat for 5 times total

It’s as simple as that and it only takes a whopping 90 seconds out of your morning/night time routine.

I hope you found these 19 ways to practice self care with crochet helpful! Let me know which one you’re going to start implementing first. You deserve less overwhelm and more happiness.

Always remember: You are strong, you are loved, and you can do anything.

Love you friend!