Crochet heals individuals and communities. I have devoted my working life to learning all about the different benefits of crochet. I shared my personal experience, along with extensive research into the craft’s mental and physical health benefits, in my book Crochet Saved My Life. I went on to research and write exercises for healing through crochet, which I’ve shared in my book, Hook to Heal. In response to the suicide death of crochet designer Marinke Slump, I curated the Mandalas for Marinke art project to heal through crochet as a community while raising awareness about depression and suicide. I continue to regularly research all benefits of crochet; share your story. I am also offering ongoing creative support through crochet to people who are interested in the benefits; see Patreon for more information.

Want to read my articles about crochet health? Check here.

Crochet Saved My Life

Crochet saves lives. It saved mine.

In the worst throes of depression I found myself sobbing on the bathroom floor, the tip of a kitchen knife pointed into my wrist. I was aching to break the flesh and bring the pain to an end. Through sheer force of will, I pried my own desperate hands open and replaced the knife with a crochet hook. Then I crocheted to save my life.

In this book, you will get to know me through my story of depression and healing. And you will get to know other women as well. You will meet Aurore who crochets to stay in touch with reality as she deals with ongoing psychiatric hallucinations. You will meet Laurie who made a new life with crochet after years of a life filled with abuse. You will meet Tammy whose crochet helps her with the ups and downs of living with Chronic Lyme Disease. You will meet Liza who crochets through the anxiety of having temporary bouts of blindness caused by an undiagnosed health condition.

The two dozen women whose stories are shared in this book are the women who hook to heal. We are not alone. Studies shows that crocheters are numerous; research and anecdotal evidence show that people of all ages, from all walks of life, with all types of health conditions may find healing through their hooks and yarn. Join us on our journey.

Hook to Heal

You are an artist. Yes, you, with your crochet hook and yarn! And you can use your art to heal yourself and the world around you.

Hook to Heal is a one-of-a-kind crochet book designed to infuse your crochet with healing energy. You will not find crochet patterns, tutorials or images here. This book will not teach you to crochet, although it suggests resources for learning, but it is designed to be adaptable for use by anyone with even basic beginner crochet skills. What you WILL find here is a set of more than one hundred creativity exercises that use your crochet skills as the vehicle to take you on a creative journey to a magic world of whimsy, art and openness.

These exercises will help you take better care of yourself, face fears, embrace adventure, create abundance, improve relationships, find balance, and make art that heals you from the inside out.

Get Creative Support

I have studied psychology at the Masters level and have committed myself to ongoing understanding of the benefits of crochet and the ways in which crochet can be used as a therapy. I offer email support to Patreon supporters based on my experience, education and continued research. For just $15 per month, you can get a themed support email that includes

– A theme … Some examples include mindfulness crochet, improving relationships through crafting, finding inner peace with crochet and crocheting in a way that connects you to community. Some themes are drawn from Hook to Heal and the research that went to create that book; others are based on new research.

– Information about the theme including research and helpful quotations

– At least one crochet exercise to assist you in developing the theme … this exercise will include the steps and may also include tutorials / examples

– “Yarn For Thought” questions to muse on or journal about as a means to dig further into the topic and assist you in better utilizing crochet for healing

– Recommendations for additional resources regarding the topic and / or tools in assisting you to crochet for that theme

Individual online support is available to varying degrees at higher price points.