TEACHING CROCHET TO TEENAGERS || Part 1

I started to crochet to make something that I can sell and able to support my family's needs. After over a decade of customizing my client's orders, my skills had improved also. During my first two years in crocheting, I was teaching already anyone who will express their desire to learn. I usually lend them hooks and yarns. Most of them were rad tech (radiology technician) interns, my 2 workmates in our unit, and two resident doctors when I'm still working in a hospital. So every time we had no patients, we get our hooks and began crocheting. I didn't remember their exact number, but I think there were 10 of them. There was a patient's daughter also who wanted to learn also, but during their stay, our schedule was always busy so I was not able to teach her. But I did lend her my beginner's book in crochet. Unfortunately, she was unable to return it. I tried to contact them by searching her mom's FB account only, and message her but nothing had happened. I was devastated then because that was my 1st book and it will be a good help whenever I'll teach someone. Time had passed and I almost forgot that incident.

At that time I didn't remember someone I had taught able to finish her project.

Year, 2020, I began to teach some of the youth in our church aged 13-17. I think they were 5 of them. After teaching them the basics of crocheting, I think 3 of them began to make small pouches and beanies. But only one of them was able to continue and showed eagerness to learn more. Her name is Micah, a 14-year-old teenager. The youngest of them all.

This year, 2022, I called them for help. I'm running out of time at that moment because I have to send the orders that same day and there were unfinished crochet orders left that I won't be able to finish by myself. Four of them had arrived and I began instructing them on what to do. They just have to make double crochet rounds on the edge of the dresses. After that, I gave them money for their work. It's way bigger than their actual work but I wanted them to think that crocheting is not just a hobby but a way to earn money. I was emphasizing to them before that they will be able to help their parents through crocheting in their free time instead of browsing social media the whole day.

After that incident, they began to ask for crochet projects I have that they can do to earn. Fortunately, I have orders that I think they can do with less supervision. They will just make a tube-like top and skirt. And I will be the one to sew the crochet appliques after.

This was their output after I sewed the appliques. Two of them were making the tops, and the other two were making the skirts. The client's order was 3 sets of them, with the same color because she will be selling them in her shop. The other set was made by me for their preference also.

By the way, our client was still the one who ordered 11 dresses, and it was her 4th-time order so I was reluctant to accept it without a downpayment. The day before I sent the dresses, she was able to send the money which is half of the payment for the dresses. Because I trusted her, I was still able to send her orders anyway. Then she ordered another batch of 3 sets of tops with skirts and 3 sets of cardigans with an inner top and shorts. I let my students make the 2 sets after I made the 1st set. After a month, she was able to pay me her remaining balance of the dresses after asking her many times. Still, we continue on her next order. They were able to finish it and they were excited about their payment. But my client said she was still so busy with all the fashion shows and everything. I just waited up until now for nothing. I paid my students 75% of the actual price of their labor and ask for a little more time until I was able to pay them fully. But some of them ask for yarns in exchange for their remaining balance so they could make any crochet wearables.

So now, I'll be presenting you with all their works and am happy to introduce them to all of you.

There were only 3 of them as the 4th one wasn't able to finish her top or doesn't have time whatsoever.

So let's start with Clarisa (16-year-old).

She's a shy type of person and doesn't want to expose her face during this picture. She was able to finish this top and bandana for a month since she is a student and an active member of the church. This is her 2nd project after the green pair and I admit that they had really improved a lot. I was the one who choose the color and the design with their approval of course.

Next is Faith (17-year old).

She was the one who was able to finish first among the three of them and the duration of this project takes a month also. She was also a student and a member of the music team in the church. At first, she was very hesitant if she can do it right. But seeing her holding her finished crochet top and bandana, I can sense that she's proud of what she had done.

And lastly, Micah (15-year old).

She was the youngest of the three but among them, she was the most determined and passionate about crochet. She was able to choose her color and design, without my help on how to do it. She just follow a video tutorial on this top and I feel proud of her. She can do more with less supervision.

She was able to make this crochet dress first before the top but she was unable to sew the last two flower appliques in the chest area because she wanted to crochet also a top that she can wear.

After they finished making their projects, another batch of teenagers had expressed their desire of learning to crochet. I can't say no to them and that is on my next post, hoping they all finished their 1st projects so I could be able to share them here with you. I am so happy about how my dream of teaching individuals how to crochet become possible.

Sharing with everyone my skills is already a big achievement for me.

Thank you for reading until the end and God bless everyone.

Love lots,
Jonalyn