What Will Crochet Look Like in 2040?

Every generation thinks they’ve reached the peak of technology.

Then twenty years later they’re explaining to confused children why they used to print MapQuest directions or carry CDs in giant binders.

Crocheters are no different.

Right now, we’re pretty impressed with ourselves. We have digital patterns, online yarn shopping, stitch-counting apps, and video tutorials for every project imaginable.

But what will crocheting look like in 2040?

Nobody knows for sure.

That won’t stop us from wildly guessing.

Smart Hooks Will Judge Us

Today’s crochet hooks are simple.

In 2040?

Your hook will probably connect to your phone, count your stitches automatically, and gently inform you:

“That was supposed to be a double crochet.”

You’ll argue with it.

The hook will be correct.

You’ll frog three rows anyway.

Some things never change.

AI Will Design Patterns

Artificial intelligence is already writing patterns. I didn’t say they were good patterns…but you’ve likely stumbled upon a few in your day-to-day on the internet.

By 2040, you’ll probably be able to type:

“Make me a cardigan inspired by my cat, my favorite coffee mug, and the emotional trauma of trying to learn foundation stitches.”

Thirty seconds later you’ll have a complete pattern.

Will the sleeves match?

That’s another question.

Yarn Will Become Ridiculously High-Tech

By 2040, yarn companies will stop asking whether they can and start asking whether they should.

Spoiler alert:

They won’t.

Mood Yarn

Changes color based on your emotional state.

Halfway through a project you’ll discover your sweater contains:

  • Optimism Blue
  • Mild Frustration Orange
  • Pattern Rage Red
  • Existential Crisis Gray

Future therapists will diagnose stress levels by examining unfinished blankets.

Accountability Yarn

This yarn knows how many unfinished projects you own.

When your WIP count reaches double digits, it starts asking uncomfortable questions.

“Shouldn’t you finish that cardigan first?”

Nobody needs that kind of negativity.

Predictive Yarn™

Using advanced AI, this yarn knows what projects you’ll start next month.

The replacement skeins arrive before you’ve even convinced yourself you need them.

The accuracy is unsettling.

Competitive Yarn

This yarn tracks the progress of nearby crocheters.

Your blanket reaches Row 45 and suddenly receives a notification:

Karen finished hers three days ago.

Smart Yarn Labels

Current labels:
“Machine wash cold.”

Future labels:
“Based on your previous projects, I recommend you buy three more skeins.”

“You’re not going to skip swatching, are you?”

“We both know you’re making modifications.”

No matter how advanced yarn becomes, there will still be one universal truth:

A crocheter will stand in front of a closet containing 147 skeins and say:

“I don’t have anything to work with.”

And somehow, even in 2040, that statement will feel completely reasonable.

Virtual Crochet Circles

Instead of meeting in person, some groups may gather in virtual reality.

Picture it:

You’re sitting in your living room wearing fuzzy slippers.

Your friend is in another country.

Your crochet buddy is on vacation.

Yet somehow all three of you are sitting around the same virtual coffee table complaining about yarn prices.

Honestly?

That part already feels realistic.

Self-Counting Stitch Markers

The most commonly lost item in crochet history may finally evolve.

Future stitch markers might:

  • Count repeats
  • Track rows
  • Flash when you miss a stitch
  • Send notifications

Current crocheters lose stitch markers inside couch cushions.

Future crocheters will lose them after forgetting the password.

Progress.

Pattern Reading May Become Optional

Instead of reading a pattern, you may simply wear smart glasses.

The glasses highlight:

  • The next stitch
  • Where increases go
  • Which row you’re on
  • How many stitches remain

Future crocheters may never know the joy of discovering they’ve been repeating Row 14 instead of Row 15 for an entire evening.

Project Bags Will Get Smarter

Today’s project bag:

A bag.

Tomorrow’s project bag:

  • Built-in lighting
  • Charging ports
  • Yarn management systems
  • Automatic row counters
  • Emergency chocolate storage

Actually, let’s hope that last one becomes available much sooner.

The Great Granny Square Revival Will Continue

Let’s be honest.

No matter what technology does, granny squares aren’t going anywhere.

Crochet trends come and go.

Yarn brands come and go.

Hooks change.

Styles change.

But somehow granny squares survive every decade.

If archaeologists uncover a crochet project in the year 3000, there’s at least a 50% chance it will involve a granny square.

Future Crocheters Will Laugh at Us

Imagine a crocheter in 2040 saying:

“Wait… you counted stitches manually?”

“You downloaded PDF patterns?”

“You had to search for yarn substitutions yourself?”

“You bought yarn without scanning it with a smart fiber analyzer?”

We’ll sound ancient.

Which is exactly how we sound when we hear stories about crocheters copying patterns by hand from magazines.

Final Thoughts

Will any of these predictions come true?

Probably some.

Definitely not all.

But one thing seems certain:

In 2040, crocheters will still buy yarn they don’t technically need.

They’ll still start new projects before finishing old ones.

They’ll still play yarn chicken.

And they’ll still insist that this next project will only take a weekend.

Some technologies are destined to change.

Crocheter optimism is not one of them.

If you could invent one futuristic crochet tool or gadget, what would it do?

#AICrochet #artificialIntelligence #creativeTechnology #Crochet #crochet2040 #crochetBlog #crochetCommunity #crochetDiscussion #crochetFun #crochetGadgets #crochetHumor #crochetInnovation #crochetInspiration #crochetLife #crochetNerd #crochetPredictions #crochetTechnology #crochetTools #crochetTrends #crochetPattern #digitalCrafting #fiberArts #freePattern #futureOfCrochet #futureTechnology #futurism #futuristicCrafting #geekCrochet #geekCulture #handmadeFuture #makerCommunity #makerCulture #modernCrochet #pattern #sciFiCrochet #scienceFiction #smartCrochet #smartTextiles #wearableTechnology #yarn #yarnAddict #yarnHumor #yarnLover #yarnStash

Things We Keep Our Yarn In Instead of a Yarn Bowl

Let’s be honest.

Yarn bowls are beautiful.

They’re elegant.

They’re handcrafted.

They’re sold in every yarn shop.

And yet most crocheters are currently pulling yarn out of something that was never intended to hold yarn in the first place.

Somewhere, right now, a skein of yarn is happily living inside a kitchen container, a purse, or a cardboard box.

This post is for those people.

1. The Popcorn Bowl

It starts innocently.

You’re crocheting on the couch.

You need something to stop the yarn from rolling across the room.

The giant popcorn bowl is empty.

Problem solved.

The bowl may never return to popcorn duty.

2. The Plastic Grocery Bag

The ultimate budget yarn bowl.

Pros:

  • Free
  • Lightweight
  • Available everywhere

Cons:

  • Sounds like a thunderstorm every time you move it

3. The Empty Ice Cream Bucket

One of crochet’s greatest unsung heroes.

Large enough for multiple skeins.

Has a handle.

Can survive a cat attack.

10/10.

4. The Mixing Bowl You Swore You’d Return to the Kitchen

You won’t.

You know it.

The family knows it.

The bowl belongs to the yarn now.

5. The Project Tote That Contains Everything Except Organization

Inside:

  • Yarn
  • Three hooks
  • Two stitch markers
  • A tape measure
  • Receipts from 2023

Nobody knows how it all got there.

6. The Cat Bed

Not intentionally.

The yarn simply migrated.

The cat has accepted ownership.

You are now sharing.

7. The Laundry Basket

Part yarn holder.

Part project storage.

Part mystery container full of unfinished dreams.

8. The Empty Coffee Can

A classic.

Especially among crocheters who learned from parents or grandparents.

Nothing gets thrown away because everything might become useful someday.

And honestly?

They were right.

9. A Giant Mug

Works surprisingly well for center-pull cakes.

Also makes you feel sophisticated.

10. The Passenger Seat of Your Car

You know exactly who you are.

The yarn rides shotgun.

The groceries go in the back.

11. A Shoebox

Simple.

Reliable.

Cat-resistant.

Mostly.

12. The Bucket That Once Held Cat Litter

Washed thoroughly, of course.

But crocheters are resourceful people.

We see containers everywhere.

13. The Crochet Project Itself

Sometimes the yarn is simply sitting in the middle of the blanket you’re making.

It’s chaos.

But it’s efficient chaos.

14. The Random Basket You Found at a Thrift Store

You bought it because it looked cute.

You didn’t know why.

Now it’s holding yarn.

Its destiny has been fulfilled.

15. The “Temporary” Cardboard Box

It’s never temporary.

Ever.

Three years later the box is still there.

Now it contains six projects and a pair of reading glasses.

Conclusion

Yarn bowls are wonderful.

But crocheters are creative people.

Give us a ball of yarn and five minutes and we’ll find a perfectly acceptable substitute somewhere in the house.

The real question is:

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever used as a yarn bowl?

#Crochet #crochetBlog #crochetCommunity #crochetHacks #crochetHumor #crochetLife #crochetOrganization #crocheterProblems #fiberArts #handmadeLife #yarnBowlAlternatives #yarnLover #yarnStash #yarnStorage

The Crochet Projects Nobody Makes Anymore (And Maybe We Should)

There was a time when every crocheter had a mission.

Not a vague goal like “use up my yarn stash” or “finish that cardigan before next winter.”

No, these crocheters had purpose.

Somewhere in America, a grandmother was furiously crocheting a toilet paper doll to protect the family bathroom from… something. Dust? Shame? Nobody really knows.

Another was creating a doily large enough to cover every flat surface in the house.

And someone, somewhere, looked at a perfectly functional tissue box and thought:

“This needs a crocheted cover shaped like a Victorian cottage.”

Crochet trends come and go, but some projects have quietly faded away. Today we’re taking a trip down memory lane to revisit some of the crochet projects that used to be everywhere—and asking whether they deserve a comeback.

1. The Toilet Paper Doll

If you’re under 40, you might think I’m making this up.

I assure you, I am not.

For decades, bathrooms across North America featured elaborately dressed crochet dolls sitting proudly on top of spare toilet paper rolls.

These ladies wore magnificent gowns.

They had hats.

They had lace.

Some looked like they were attending a royal wedding.

And underneath all that elegance?

Toilet paper.

Looking back, it seems ridiculous.

Looking back, I kind of love them.

2. Doilies on Literally Everything

There was a time when a bare table was simply unacceptable.

Coffee table?

Doily.

End table?

Doily.

Dresser?

Doily.

Television?

Believe it or not…

Doily.

If a flat surface existed, a crocheter somewhere felt compelled to decorate it.

Today’s minimalist design trends may have pushed doilies out of the spotlight, but there is something beautiful about knowing someone spent hours creating intricate lace simply to make a home feel special.

3. The Television Cover

Younger readers may need a moment here.

Televisions used to be giant wooden boxes.

And apparently, giant wooden boxes needed sweaters.

Crocheted TV covers were surprisingly common.

When guests weren’t watching television, the set could be covered with a decorative crochet piece, making it blend into the room.

Imagine explaining that to a teenager today.

“Back in my day, we crocheted clothing for the television.”

4. Tissue Box Covers

Crocheters once looked at ordinary household objects and declared war on boredom.

The humble tissue box was transformed into:

  • Cottages
  • Barns
  • Flower baskets
  • Churches
  • Teapots

No object was safe.

Honestly, modern crochet could use a little more of this energy.

5. Bed Jackets

This one always fascinates me.

A bed jacket was exactly what it sounds like: a short sweater worn while sitting up in bed.

People wore them while reading, knitting, crocheting, writing letters, or recovering from illness.

They were practical.

They were cozy.

And somehow they’ve almost disappeared.

Considering how many of us spend evenings curled up on the couch with yarn, maybe it’s time for bed jackets to make a comeback.

6. Crocheted Pot Holders Hanging in Every Kitchen

Not just one.

A dozen.

Usually hanging from a hook somewhere near the stove.

Every color imaginable.

Some shaped like flowers.

Some shaped like fruit.

Some shaped like things no one could identify anymore.

They weren’t just kitchen tools.

They were little pieces of everyday art.

Why We Miss These Projects

The funny thing is that none of these projects were really about the project itself.

The toilet paper doll wasn’t about toilet paper.

The doily wasn’t about protecting furniture.

The tissue box cover wasn’t about tissues.

They were about making a home feel loved.

Every stitch represented time, patience, and care.

In a world increasingly filled with disposable things, there is something comforting about remembering the handmade touches that used to fill our homes.

Final Thoughts

Will toilet paper dolls ever return to mainstream crochet?

Probably not.

Although I’ve learned never to underestimate crocheters.

After all, we’ve recently brought back granny squares, bucket hats, and crochet hacky sacks.

Anything is possible.

And if I suddenly find myself designing a toilet paper doll pattern next week…

Please pretend this article had nothing to do with it.

What crochet project do you remember seeing at your grandmother’s house that you never see anymore? Leave me a comment and let me know!

#crafts #Crochet #crochetBlog #crochetCommunity #crochetDoilies #crochetHistory #crochetInspiration #crochetMemories #crochetNostalgia #CrochetPatterns #crochetProjects #crochetToiletPaperDoll #fiberArts #grannyCrochet #handmadeGifts #handmadeHomeDecor #knitting #life #retroCrochet #tissueBoxCoverCrochet #traditionalCrochet #vintageCrafts #vintageCrochet #yarn

Daisy Blanket is finished. Really happy with the result.

Daisy Blanket

#crochet
#grannysquare
#grannysquareblanket
#daisycrochet
#CrochetBlog
#fiberarts

8 days of poor weather equals no astro views... but I have still been keeping busy.

Daisy Blanket

#crochet
#grannysquare
#grannysquareblanket
#daisycrochet
#CrochetBlog
#fiberarts

Why Crochet Clothes Don’t Fit — And Why It’s Usually Not the Crocheter’s Fault

You spend hours crocheting a sweater, cardigan, or top.
You carefully follow the pattern.
You count stitches.
You even check gauge.

Then you try it on and somehow it still fits… weird.

Too tight in the shoulders.
Too loose in the neckline.
Too short after wearing it once.
Or somehow both oversized and restrictive at the same time.

If you crochet garments, you already know this heartbreak.

The truth is that crochet clothing behaves very differently from store bought clothing, and honestly, many crochet patterns are not written with real human bodies in mind.

Crochet Fabric Is Not Fabric

One of the biggest reasons crochet clothes fit strangely is because crochet creates a thick, structured fabric.

Even lightweight crochet has more bulk and less natural drape than knitted fabric. That changes everything about how a garment sits on the body.

A crochet sweater made with stiff cotton yarn can stand away from the body almost like cardboard.
A loose acrylic cardigan may stretch downward several inches after a few wears.
A top that looked perfect laying flat may suddenly pull awkwardly across the chest when worn.

Crochet fabric has personality. Sometimes too much personality.

Most Crochet Patterns Are Graded Poorly

This is the part nobody likes talking about.

A lot of crochet clothing patterns are simply scaled up or down mathematically without properly reshaping the garment.

Real bodies do not scale evenly.

A larger size does not just need “more stitches.”
Shoulders change. Bust placement changes. Armholes change. Length changes. Drape changes.

That is why some crochet garments:

  • fit perfectly in smaller sizes but become boxy in larger sizes
  • have giant armholes
  • ride up in strange places
  • pull across the back
  • look amazing in the pattern photos but awkward in real life

Garment grading is an actual skill, and not every designer has mastered it.

Yarn Changes Everything

This is the silent destroyer of crochet clothing.

You can follow a pattern exactly and still end up with a completely different garment just because of yarn choice.

Cotton yarn:

  • heavy
  • stretches downward
  • shows structure clearly
  • can feel stiff

Acrylic yarn:

  • softer
  • often grows with wear
  • may lose shape over time

Wool:

  • has memory
  • can bounce back better
  • usually creates better garment drape

Even two worsted weight yarns can behave completely differently.

That beautiful fitted crochet top online may have been made using a soft luxury yarn that drapes beautifully, while your version in stiff kitchen cotton suddenly fits like medieval armor.

Gauge Swatches Lie Sometimes

I said it.

Gauge swatches help, but they do not always predict how an entire garment will behave after hours of wear.

A tiny 4-inch square does not tell you:

  • how heavy the finished sweater will become
  • how the shoulders will stretch
  • how the neckline will relax
  • how gravity will affect the fabric
  • how movement changes fit

Sometimes a crochet garment fits perfectly for the first ten minutes… and completely differently two hours later.

Human Bodies Are Complicated

Crochet patterns are usually written for generalized body measurements.

But real people have:

  • narrow shoulders and wide hips
  • long torsos
  • short waists
  • larger busts
  • fuller upper arms
  • posture differences
  • height differences

Two people with the exact same bust measurement can need completely different garment shaping.

That is why “just make your size” often does not work well in crochet.

This Is Why I Measure Everything Now

After enough frustrating garment projects, I stopped blindly trusting size labels.

Now I:

  • measure finished garments instead of relying on size names
  • compare measurements to clothing I already love
  • pay attention to yarn behavior before starting
  • look for positive ease and drape in photos
  • read tester notes carefully
  • expect crochet fabric to change after wear

Honestly, learning garment fit changed the way I crochet completely.

Crochet Clothes Can Fit Beautifully

When crochet garments are designed thoughtfully, they can be stunning.

But good fit usually comes from:

  • proper shaping
  • intentional yarn choice
  • realistic expectations
  • understanding drape
  • adjusting patterns for your own body

And sometimes?
It comes from accepting that crochet is not trying to behave like factory-made fabric — and that is actually part of its charm.

Crochet clothing has texture. Structure. Personality. Movement.

It is handmade.
And handmade things are allowed to fit differently.

#crafts #Crochet #crochetBlog #crochetClothingFit #crochetClothingTips #crochetDesign #crochetFashion #crochetForBeginners #crochetGarmentSizing #crochetGarments #crochetPatternGrading #crochetProject #crochetSweaterProblems #crochetTutorial #fiberArts #handmade #handmadeClothing #HodgePodgeCrochet #knit #knitting #whyCrochetClothesDonTFit #yarn #yarnCrafts

24,500 Subscribers Later… Thank You

Today my YouTube channel officially crossed 24,500 subscribers, and honestly, I’m still trying to process it.

When I first started sharing crochet videos online, I never imagined that thousands of people from around the world would one day be watching my tutorials, following my crochet journey, supporting my designs, and becoming part of this amazing creative community.

What started as simply sharing something I loved slowly grew into something much bigger than I ever expected.

Over the years, HodgePodge Crochet has become more than just a crochet channel. It has become a space filled with creativity, learning, experimentation, encouragement, late-night crochet sessions, yarn piles taking over the house, cats supervising projects 😂, and people who genuinely appreciate handmade art.

One of the things I love most about this community is how supportive and encouraging everyone has been through every stage of the process — even the messy stages.

And trust me… there have been MANY messy stages.

If you’ve followed me recently over on Patreon, then you’ve probably seen me deep in the process of designing the new Lattice Top. This pattern has gone through more revisions, frogging, measuring, grading, and restructuring than I can even count at this point. Some days I’ve completely reworked entire sections just trying to get the drape, fit, and stitch flow exactly the way I imagined it in my head.

But that’s also the beautiful part of designing.

Sometimes crochet patterns don’t appear perfectly on the first try. Sometimes they evolve slowly through testing, experimentation, mistakes, and learning. And honestly, I think sharing that process openly has become one of my favorite parts of this journey.

Seeing people excited about the Lattice Top while it’s still being developed has been incredibly motivating for me. Knowing that people genuinely care about the work behind the scenes makes all those long design sessions feel worth it.

As my YouTube channel continues growing, I have so many exciting things planned for the future:

  • New crochet patterns
  • More detailed tutorials
  • Behind-the-scenes design content
  • Crochet vlogs
  • Morocco lifestyle content 🇺🇸🇲🇦
  • More pattern testing opportunities
  • More creative experiments and projects

I’m genuinely excited about where things are heading.

And to every single person who has supported this channel in any way — whether you subscribed, watched a video, left a comment, purchased a pattern, shared my work, or simply followed quietly from the background — thank you.

Your support means more than you probably realize.

Creative work can sometimes feel very solitary behind the scenes. There are long hours spent designing, filming, editing, writing instructions, troubleshooting mistakes, and doubting whether anyone will even care about what you’re creating.

But moments like this remind me why I started.

24,500 subscribers may just look like a number to some people, but to me it represents years of learning, growth, persistence, creativity, and community.

And honestly?

I feel like we’re just getting started.

Thank you all so much for being part of this journey with me 💛

You can follow along here: https://www.youtube.com/@HodgePodgeCrochet

– HodgePodge Crochet

#crafts #creativeJourney #Crochet #crochetAesthetic #crochetBlog #crochetBusiness #crochetCommunity #crochetCreativity #crochetCreator #crochetDesigner #crochetFashion #crochetGarments #crochetGoals #crochetInspiration #crochetJourney #crochetLife #crochetPatternDesign #CrochetPatterns #crochetStudio #crochetSweater #crochetTop #crochetTutorial #crochetUpdates #crochetVlog #crochetYouTuber #crochetPattern #DIYCrochet #fiberArts #handmade #handmadeClothing #HodgePodgeCrochet #latticeTop #makerCommunity #morocco #smallCreator #writing #yarn #yarnLover #YouTubeCrochet

What Yarn Costs in Morocco vs the U.S. (Real Prices)

Since moving to Morocco, one of the first things I looked into was yarn—where to find it, what the quality is like, and how the prices compare to what I was used to in the United States.

If you crochet regularly, you already know that yarn cost matters. It affects what you make, how often you make it, and even the types of patterns you choose.

Here’s a realistic breakdown based on what I’ve seen.

Yarn Prices in the United States

In the U.S., yarn is widely available and fairly consistent in price.

  • Basic acrylic (like Red Heart Super Saver): about $4–$6 per skein (~198g)
  • That works out to roughly $2–$3 per 100g
  • Mid-range yarns: $6–$12
  • Cotton, wool, and specialty yarns: $10–$20+

The biggest advantage in the U.S. is convenience—you can usually find exactly what you need and restock easily.

Yarn Prices in Morocco

In Morocco, yarn is also easy to find, especially in places like Derb Omar in Casablanca, but pricing can vary more depending on where and how you buy.

  • Standard pricing often starts around 20–25 MAD per 100g
    👉 roughly $2–$2.50 USD
  • Prices can go higher depending on fiber type and thickness
  • Bulkier or specialty yarns can get noticeably more expensive

Bulk Pricing (My Experience)

When buying in bulk, prices can drop.

In my case, I paid 20 dirhams (about $2 USD) per 100g skein.

This was a bulk price, and not necessarily what you’ll pay for smaller quantities. Prices per skein can vary starting from about $2.50 USD and can increase depending on the type of yarn, especially for thicker or higher-quality options.

So Which Is Cheaper?

When you compare directly, basic yarn prices in Morocco and the U.S. are actually pretty similar.

The difference isn’t so much the cost—it’s the experience.

The Real Difference

In the U.S., you can:

  • Follow patterns exactly
  • Use the same yarn brands consistently
  • Easily replace yarn if you run out

In Morocco, you may need to:

  • Work with what’s available
  • Adjust your hook size or pattern
  • Be flexible with yarn types and textures

What This Means for Your Crochet

This is where things get interesting.

Crocheting in Morocco encourages you to:

  • Think in measurements instead of stitch counts
  • Adapt patterns more freely
  • Experiment with different yarns

This is one of the reasons I design patterns the way I do—so they work no matter what yarn you have access to.

Final Thoughts

Yarn in Morocco isn’t drastically cheaper than in the U.S., especially for basic options—but it offers a different kind of experience.

You trade convenience for flexibility.

If you’re willing to adapt and work with what’s available, you can still create beautiful pieces without needing the exact same materials every time.

#acrylicYarn #affordableYarn #bulkYarn #casablanca #CasablancaCrochet #crafts #Crochet #crochetBlog #crochetCommunity #crochetMorocco #CrochetPatterns #crochetSupplies #CrochetTips #DerbOmarYarn #fiberArts #handmade #knit #knitting #morocco #MoroccoYarn #USVsMorocco #yarn #yarnComparison #yarnInMorocco #yarnPrices #yarnShopping
2022 - A Year In Crochet

I’ve been crocheting for 10 whole years!! Ish. Maybe technically eleven. I dropped out of university in January 2012 and during my year off,...