Is crocheting something you’ve always done or a new activity you want to try?
No matter your level of skill or vision, you can still crochet. This relaxing pastime needs only a crochet hook, some yarn, and your hands.
7 tips for crocheting with vision loss
- If you have low vision, handheld or stand magnifiers can be helpful, along with proper lighting.
- Start small. The “granny square” is a great beginner-friendly pattern, because it’s quick and repetitive. As you create more, you can stitch them together to build bigger projects.
- Use a towel or blanket on your lap that contrasts with the yarn.
- If you’re just starting out, try to choose yarn and hooks that contrast with each other. This can help as you get used to crocheting.
- Experiment with using thicker yarn or bigger crochet hooks to make it easier to feel your stitches.
- Buy stitch stoppers. You can place one on the end of your crochet hook to prevent your work from sliding off when you set your project down.
- Label your hooks and yarns with braille or a mark you can feel to quickly identify the right tools for the job.
Hadley’s free crafting workshop series on knitting and crocheting offers more tips and techniques.
Support for crocheting without relying on sight
Help is at hand. If you have specific questions or are looking for resources, join Hadley’s Crafting Circle, a monthly discussion group, to hear from other crafters.
The National Library Service (NLS) also has a variety of crocheting books and patterns free to access. Not familiar with NLS audio offerings? Give Hadley a call for more information: 800-323-4238.
Coping with vision loss
Hadley member Ruth Alhilali has found Hadley workshops very helpful, including our knitting and crocheting ones. She shares her story of coping and adjusting to vision loss here as well as on the Insights & Sound Bites podcast episode, “That was the turning point for me”.
More questions about crocheting or other pastimes with vision loss? Send an email to [email protected]. And if you have any questions about coping with vision loss or if you’re looking for support, call 800-323-4238. We’re here to help.
Do you have practical tips to share on crocheting with vision loss?