How are you today?
I'm Karen Stangroom and this page is all about me! How self indulgent is that?
I'm married to Adam and we have the most fantastic son who is now a teenager so we're hoping he doesn't go changing! We recently moved back home to Wales and are renovating a Tudor/Georgian Farmhouse which is a lot of work but it is great to uncover some hidden gems, like the inglenook fireplace we found.
I've been crocheting for over a decade now and I used to have yarn squirreled away in all sorts of places in my house. Now, I'm so lucky to have my croffice (crochet office) where I keep all my yarny goodness, crochet pattern books and hooks. It's also where I write my patterns, record tutorial videos and design the crochet related goodies in my shop.
Around Easter of 2019, a good friend of mine was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. I always knew that crocheting was a good for my own stress relief and that it could aid the recovery of mental health conditions. I suggested to my friend that we could get together and I would teach her to crochet.
After a few weeks of cancelled 'get togethers', I realised that meeting up was too stressful for her and I needed to find another way to teach her that wouldn't have the pressures of meeting up or showing failed attempts in public. It occurred to me that other people were probably in a similar position to my friend and so I decided to create a YouTube channel helping people learn the craft of crochet.
There are many reasons to learn to crochet, aside from the mental health benefits. If you're trying to lose weight, stop smoking or do something other than looking at your phone whilst watching TV, crochet keeps your hands busy and your brain distracted to help you cut down on the bad things and, as an added bonus, you have something to show for your time.
Thank you! I had no idea about going through front and back loops and thus I had ridges all through my work. I was also starting too far away from the hook.
Louise - YouTube
Great tutorial, and such an easy pattern! Thank you so much!
Karen - YouTube
Excellent tutorial. Learned a few tips I didn’t expect!
Mary Jane - YouTube
From Wip to finished project records, Crochet terms to washing instructions, the Conquer Crochet Project Folder inserts will help to keep you on track and conquering crochet.
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