Tips to Find Time for Crochet – Mom Edition

As a mom, I know that it can be really hard to find time to do anything for ourselves, but especially a hobby. I am here just to encourage you today that it is possible to learn a new skill and find time to enjoy it, but I do want to warn you that it may take a slight mindset shift. If you are a mom, then you know that we juggle a lot of things and wear a lot of hats, but we can also make time for ourselves. I’ll give you some practical tips that you can use in everyday life, and I hope they help you find time to crochet in your busy day.

Moms are some of the hardest working people, and also some of the worst at actually making time for themselves or their interests. Now, as a mom myself, I totally understand that there are seasons of life that allow us more time, and there are seasons that you are simply running the whole time. What I want to do with these tips is to equip you and encourage you to pursue learning, growing, and creating in a way that interests you. For today, I will be giving you tips specifically to find time to crochet, but many of them could be translated to other hobbies and interests as well.

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Mindset Matters

Before I even start with the tips, I will tell you right now that your mindset is important. For me, my family is my priority over my own interests. With that being said, I can still have hobbies and things I enjoy without them, but I have to keep a balance of what is most important with what is secondary. I know many of you share this outlook on life and are dealing with this same reality of trying to find balance. This will often look different for everyone and every family, but there are a few creative keys that I try to keep in mind:

• Be willing to be interrupted. While I would love to say that you will get plenty of uninterrupted hours in the day or week for whatever you want to do, that would be a complete lie. However, if I learn to expect interruptions and choose to not let it upset me, then I am better equipped to handle the interruptions with grace and still enjoy when I find time to crochet.
• Remember that one stitch is better than no stitches. This may sound ridiculous, but imagine the following event with me: You get the first stitch done, and then chaos erupts. You then have to throw everything down and deal with the situation, and the idea of crocheting gets lost in the shuffle. Whether you come back to it that day or not, I still believe it is essential to celebrate the one stitch you completed. That is one stitch closer to your finished project. Way to go!
• Every minute counts, even when you don’t feel like you’ve accomplished much. I know it seems like 5 minutes is not enough time to really complete anything, but along with the previous key, it is super important to see the potential in and make the most of every spare minute you can. Especially if you are a busy mom, those minutes can make all the difference!

Tips to Find Time to Crochet

1. Crochet when the kids are asleep! While this is the obvious tip, I think sometimes we forget how much time kids are asleep during the day. For younger kids, you are probably going to have the most time before they get up in the morning, during nap time(s), and after bedtime. For older kids, it might be just the morning and evening. Whatever time you have, be sure to use it wisely! Since these times will probably be the longest and least interrupted times for you to work on anything, I highly suggest you learn and try any new patterns, stitches, techniques, or whatever during this time. It will allow you to focus better and give you a chance to practice in peace.
2. Try crocheting during independent play or play time. Even though you will probably be supervising this time, you could still be working on some crochet stitches. If you are just learning, maybe try to just use a single stitch you are trying to master to create a coaster or washcloth. If you are an experienced crocheter, then maybe it is time for a simple, repetitive project. Crocheting during playtime will probably mean dealing with interruptions, but this is where those mindset changes can come in (above).
3. You can crochet while watching tv. As an experienced crocheter, this is what I do during my evenings when I want to relax. Grab a crochet work-in-progress, put on a movie or show, and get to work. However, as a mom, this can still work! I can still work on crocheting when I am watching a show with my little man, or during a family movie night. Because the movie is providing the entertainment for the little ones, sometimes you can accomplish more with fewer interruptions.
4. Be willing to travel with crochet. Whether this means you ride as a passenger to crochet while driving as much as possible or you just pack it to take with you wherever you go, traveling with crochet can be a great way to fit in more crochet time. If you are flying or under restrictions for travel, always be sure to check the requirements and regulations before you pack! (For those of you who have no idea what you might need when traveling, check out my blog post on traveling with crochet!)
5. You can crochet during empty time blocks. I know many people will read that and think, “I don’t have any ’empty time blocks,’” but we often have more than we realize. Take a moment and think of times when you might be waiting and doing nothing, such as waiting in line at daycare or school pick up, watching dance class or sports practice, or even while waiting at an event. You could take some crochet with you to fill in that “empty” time. You might need to think ahead a bit and pack a crochet bag to take with you, but it is possible to use those times to your advantage.
6. Have multiple projects to work on at different times. This tip is less about timing and more about how to make crochet work for you. Like I said before, we all have varying numbers of opportunities to do what we want to do during each season of life. Some seasons we might only have time to make a few coasters, and in other seasons, we might make blankets all the time. When we have a variety of projects to choose from, we give ourselves more opportunities to do what we love to do without feeling guilty because we couldn’t work on our projects. Instead, we get to use the time we have and crochet whatever project we have time for in that day.

Remember, crocheting should bring you some extra joy because it gives us a chance to be creative and make something special and unique with our own two hands. I hope by using these tips you are able to add some fun creative moments to your day and hopefully, your life.

Hi there! I’m Chelsey!

Welcome to my blog God’s Gift of Creativity! Join me as I share my love for crochet, crafts, and cooking and show you how you can do it too!

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