I Told My Friend I Wanted a New Hobby and What She Did Surprised Me

I’ve always loved the feeling of trying something new. There’s something exciting about starting from scratch and learning as you go. That’s actually the reason I described myself as an “all-around newbie” when I introduced myself here on Hive. I always find joy in exploring different things, even if I’m not sure what I’m doing yet 😁

Lately, I've been looking for a something new to try. I wasn’t sure what kind of hobby I wanted, but I knew I wanted something that would give me a break from my usual screen time. Something creative, hands-on and relaxing. I wanted a hobby that could help me slow down, be present, and enjoy the process without pressure.

I was chatting with my friend Kesh about trying new hobbies. I mentioned that I was thinking about learning how to crochet. I’ve seen some Hive PH members like @jonalyn2020 and @romeskie post their beautiful crochet projects. I even own a few of their handmade pieces from our meetups (1st & 2nd). I’ve always admired how detailed and lovely their work was. It made me curious about how crochet works and how I could possibly learn it too.

To my surprise, Kesh actually crochets too! And she was very excited to hear that I wanted to give it a try. She encouraged me right away, and just a day later, she sent me a package.

The package was filled with yarns. Lots of it. There were yarns in every shade! There were around 15 different yarns in the package, including one special handmade yarn mix - Winter Solstice. It instantly became my favorite!

_{shades of green}

_{shades of brown / maroon}

I picked up the first fluffy yarn and it was comforting in a way I couldn't explain.

_{shades of blue / shades of purple}

She didn't just sent me yarns, she also included purple crochet hooks, some stitch markers, and something very special just for me.

_{crochet hooks and stitch markers}

It was folded neatly at the bottom of the package. It was a handmade crochet top! It's a Celeste Vest and it was made by Kesh using Young at Heart yarn mix by Crocheted by Carisse on Instagram.

_{my Celeste Vest made by Kesh}

The stitches in this handmade top were so clean and beautiful! It fits me perfectly! I still don't know how Kesh got the measurements so right, we've only met three times in person! The top is light, airy, and super comfy! I wore it during my trip to Cebu. I felt really proud wearing something a friend made for me. Wearing something handmade is such a special feeling and it made me dream about making my own pieces too and giving it to people special to me.

When I saw all the yarns and the handmade top, it was a mix of happiness and excitement. She didn't just send me yarn for me to start a new hobby, she also showed me what it could feel like to wear something made with your own hands. It was an encouragement and a challenge at the same time. I told myself I can make this too, if I keep going.

Trying out a new hobby also means putting a little pressure on myself. I know it’s not supposed to be like that, but my competitive side always kicks in 😭 I always wish I could be good at things right away. Let’s see where this takes me in the next few weeks 😂

I started imagining all the things I could try making. I want to make scarves, cute bandanas, and earrings. I also wanted to make amigurumi!

I’m still in the early stages of learning, so I’ve decided to start simple. My very first project will be a bandana. I think it’s a good way to practice basic stitches, and I love wearing bandanas anyway!

I know I still have a long way to go, but I’m excited to learn. I’ve already started watching beginner crochet videos online. If you have any beginner-friendly project suggestions based on the yarn colors I have, I’d love to hear them!

If you've been waiting for a sign to try something new, this is it. Go for it! You never know where one small step might lead you.

Thanks for reading! I can't wait to share more about my crocheting journey soon!