Crochet is a popular craft that many people enjoy, but crochet has some surprising secrets.
Here are 3 fascinating facts that will make you love crochet a little bit more.
What is crochet?
For those of you who don’t know what crochet is, let’s get the lay of the land. Those of you who do, bear with me for just a second.
Crochet is a process of creating by interlocking loops of some kind of fiber material. It first emerged sometime in the 17th century. Crochet is different from knitting because of the number of utensils to knot the material being used. Knitting requires two long pointed instruments called needles, while crochet uses one shorter instrument with a hooked end called (surprise!) hooks. Hooks can be made out of several different materials, but we will talk more about hooks together later.
Crochet was at its peak in popularity in the 1960’s and 70’s, but is increasing in popularity again due to people seeking out handmade and unique items. So, without further delay, let’s get to those facts and find out some other reasons why crochet is such a great hobby.
Fascinating Fact #1
Crochet can not be replicated by machines. The process of knotting the material being used is too intricate to copy, so if you buy something from a store it is knitted. I enjoy knowing that my work can’t be done by a machine. It’s wonderful to know that each item has to be done by a human hand.
Fascinating Fact #2
Crocheting has been proven to have some wonderful health benefits. These include reducing stress and anxiety, improving depression, and helping with insomnia. The constant hand movement helps to calm the mind and distract it from the stressors of life. It also helps the brain release serotonin. This neurotransmitter helps with mood regulation and memory. This release of serotonin has also been shown to help reduce the risk of Alzeheimer’s by 30%-50%!
Fascinating Fact #3
Crochet is not just for us “regular” people. Famous people enjoy crocheting, too. Some famous crocheters include Katy Perry, Bette Davis, Aretha Franklin, U.S. President James Buchanan, and George Washington Carver.
Whether you are a seasoned crocheter or new to the craft, I hope these facts were interesting and fun to learn. And if you aren’t crocheting yet, I hope these facts inspired you. Let’s all go grab a hook and start crocheting.
Happy crafting!