I have been a passionate crocheter for over 51 years. I developed the love of the craft from my mother. She always had a hook in her hand. I was 9 years old, and my sister was 8 years old. We were so bored one summer. My mom was working on Christmas gifts. We did not have a lot of money, so she used her talent and made beautiful blankets for family members. She said let me teach you and your sister to crochet and you can make gifts for your sister and brother. She said we could even make things to sell at our local flea market. It took a while, but we got the hang of it. She was so patient with us.

My sister loved making stuffed toys and animals. I did not like the feel of yarn. My mom had another idea for me. She gave me her own set of steel hooks. She inherited them from her aunt. Steel hooks are used with a different fiber called bedspread weight cotton yarn. It is very similar to sewing thread. She gave me a magazine that had a pattern for Barbie doll clothes and beautiful, lacy doilies that showed a picture. I feel instantly in love with this new technique. We went to the flea market, and I made a lot of money for Christmas presents. 

When I became a parent of 2 boys. My children grew up with a crochet hook in my hand. I was able to teach one boy how to crochet. 

My mother and I talked, had coffee and crocheted together every day. When my mother passed away, I gave up crocheting. My heart was not in it anymore. 

During Covid I decided it was time to pick it up again. I felt alone in the craft world. Noone, I worked with crocheted or knitted. I made them gifts. But could not get anyone interested in learning crochet. 

I found a yarn studio, and I had the feelings come back that I had sitting with my mother. The ladies welcomed me into the store. It was more than selling yarn and stuff. It was home. I know young people and men are getting into the “granny arts”. It is good to see a very old craft as crochet and knitting stay alive.

I knew then that this is what I wanted to do in my retirement. I want a place for community, for the love of all needle arts. I wanted a home. 

I want to bring this to Albany. Albany has not ever had this type of store. A place to sit, to learn, to talk, to not feel alone and sell things that make crafters act like children at Christmas.