I started crocheting in college. My RA taught a bunch of us some basic stitches and I’ve never forgotten. I crocheted a lot in while school—I made blankets for everyone. If you are a family member, you may have been the recipient of a blanket I fuller expected to have been long ago donated. I had completely forgotten about it for years and years. 

In the summer of 2025, while country was a literal dumpster fire, I was doom scrolling all social media platforms until the wee hours. I couldn’t stop myself and my anxiety kicked itself into overdrive. It started to take a toll on my mental health. So I decided to crochet again after seeing a creator on TikTok who made the most adorable Very Hungry Caterpillar set from this pattern designer on Etsy. 

Funny that doom scrolling helped me to find something to control all of my doom scrolling. 

It’s seriously such a sweet and well-designed pattern. It’s perfect for someone who knows some basic stitches and want to expand their skillset a little. I worked on it off-and-on all summer. It kept my hands busy and my anxiety manageable. I enjoyed my reignited hobby immensely.

But after I made my very own Very Hungry Caterpillar set, I didn’t really know what I planned to do with it. There are only so many times my kids would play with it since they are older. During their’ school open house, an idea struck me. When I signed up to be mystery reader in my kindergartener’s  classroom, I brought the set and a copy of the book to donate to the school library.  This way so many teachers could use it in their classrooms or the kids could read with it in the library. 

I’ve started a new project from the same designer. I’m only four or five pieces in but I already have my eye on another project when I complete this one. I may become the crazy crochet lady who donates book themed sets to school libraries all throughout town!  I’m sure my phone would appreciated the break.

I am writing for the 19th annual Slice of Life challenge presented by Two Writing Teachers.