As the Yarn Turns

Lately, I have flooded my Instagram feed with photos not only of our Pickings products but photos of my yarn projects. I have been smitten by crocheting.

Back in Home Economics class in high school, we were taught all sorts of skills from cooking to sewing, and yes that included crocheting. I remember painstakingly doing “single crochets”, “double crochets” and “slip stitches” just to complete my school project. It was a striped  black, gray and white tote bag which holds a good number of textbooks. A friend of mine admired my project and asked if she could borrow my bag. I didn’t realize that that would be the last time I will see my project/masterpiece as it was never returned to me.

I got the inspiration to go back to crocheting when I saw photos of crochet projects by my blogger “friend”, Mrs. P Cuyugan. About two weeks prior to crocheting, my daughter and I started creating bracelets out of loom bands too. But I wasn’t into it. Armed with enough inspiration to try something new and ditch the looming altogether, I walked to the nearby mall and got me a metal crochet hook. That was the only hook available, unfortunately.

I couldn’t remember how to even work the yarn anymore so I searched Youtube for some crochet tutorials. I saw one easy project and in 30 minutes I was able to make a headband for my daughter. She was thrilled to wear it, of course. The following day I found myself at the store again looking for yarns. I continued to make other projects like mug cozies, coasters and granny squares.

I wanted to buy the soft imported yarns but I was surprised that these were expensive. So when I had the chance to talk to my mom who is in the States, I instructed her that the next Balikbayan box should be filled with yarns, yarns and yarns! Haha! Even my brother in Canada will be forced to send me boxes filled with soft, colorful yarns! Also, I was able to purchase an aluminum crochet hook set from a Facebook online seller and since then I was hooked 🙂

When I posted photos of my mug cozies, a friend of mine told me that she wanted to order for her Mason jars too. I kidded her that I will surely make for her but she was serious and was willing to pay for them. What? I was surprised and blessed to know that I could make a small profit out of what I love to do. So, for a week I was busy completing her order and she was happy with the result.

Even though this was my first paid crochet project, I wanted the item to look professional as I wanted it to represent the Inspirited Mom. So, I decided to give it a name, Crochets by Inspirited Mom. I’m planning to include a page on my blog specifically for my crochet projects. I would probably be taking orders too eventually if time permits.

Aside from our home business, which is doing great, by the way, Crochets by Inspirited Mom can be another source of income for me. I am not getting any younger and I could feel some aches and pains here and there especially after preparing orders and crocheting. But at the end of the day, I am truly fulfilled. My  heart rejoices because I am able to use the skill or talent that the Lord has bestowed upon me. He truly blesses the work of my hands. Not to brag, I feel like the Proverbs 31 woman specifically in these verses 🙂

¹³ She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands. 
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.

On a side note, I think crocheters in Manila have heard about this famous yarn store in Makati called Dreams Yarnshoppe. They have a physical store at the 3rd level of Glorietta 5 and an online shop as well.  Last week, we braved the Friday traffic just to visit the store. When my daughter and I saw the store from afar, we ran in excitement. And when I entered, it was like yarn paradise.  I was able to see and touch the yarns I was drooling for weeks online.

The staff were very accommodating, even the store owner answered my query about coasters. I wanted to stay there and just look at those soft 6-plys and 10-plys but we had to leave. I had to take pictures, of course. I will be going back there very, very soon!

So, how about you? Have you started a new hobby or planning to start one?