How My Husband’s Thumbs Inspired My Crochet Mastery


Today, dear readers, you'll be reading a heartfelt and amusing story by Becky Schuffenhauer, who shares how her husband’s attempt at crochet led to her lifelong passion. Enjoy!

When I was younger, my grandma was the queen of crochet, creating intricate doilies that looked like delicate laceworks of art. "She taught me the basics—chains and single crochet"—but back then, my interests were elsewhere. Fast forward to today, and I have a good portion of her doilies collaged into frames, proudly displayed in my home.


In the early '90s, when my husband was sick, he had an unexpected revelation. “You know, my grandpa used to crochet. I think I’d like to learn,” he said, possibly delirious from a fever, or maybe he was serious—I still wonder. We went out, bought yarn and self-learning books, and prepared for his grand crochet debut.

He tried. Oh, how he tried. After many frustrating attempts a̶n̶d̶ c̶o̶l̶o̶r̶f̶u̶l̶ l̶a̶n̶g̶u̶a̶g̶e̶, he looked at me and said, "I am all thumbs." And that, dear readers, was the end of his crochet adventure.
This, however, "was the start of my story." I picked up the self-learning book he abandoned and decided to give it a go. "I made lots of doilies and other things, but life got busy raising kids and I didn’t crochet for a few years."

Years later, with granddaughters in the picture, I dusted off my hooks and made them an endless wardrobe of Barbie doll clothes. It was a delightful detour, but my real breakthrough came a few years ago when my daughter suggested, “Why don’t you make a blanket for your great-granddaughter?”.

Did I mention I don’t like making blankets? "They’re too boring, doing the same stitch over and over." Yet, for my great-granddaughter, I made several baby blankets, each one a labor of love and a battle against monotony. Then I started making stuffed teddies and other animals, and about a year ago I found Crochetree dolls. 


Discovering Crochetree dolls was like finding my crochet soulmate. "I just finished Yuki, my 12th Crochetree doll." Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could master those gorgeous eyes, but they were surprisingly easy. Now, "I get so many compliments on them" that I’ve lost count. 

I also get requests from friends to make all kinds of stuff, which I thoroughly enjoy. When do I find time, you ask? "I crochet whenever I sit down to relax." With retirement just a year away, I’ll definitely have more time to create and embrace my crochet passion fully.

Thank you for joining Becky on her crochet journey. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and crochet adventures from our wonderful community at Crochetree! We can’t wait to share more creative journeys with you.


There's No Better Time To Get Lost With Inspiring Crochet

300+  5 star-reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • Easy to Follow Crochet Doll Patterns

  • Unique & Adorable Styles

  • Step-by-Step Guidance

  • 24/7 Dedicated Support

100% Happiness Guarantee

Your satisfaction matters to us! 

If you're not completely thrilled with your patterns, we'll gladly refund your purchase.


Six Reasons Why You'll Love Crochetree Patterns

"I was thrilled to find this pattern. Not only did it provide an excellent tutorial, but when I needed assistance working on the pattern, the designer responded immediately with detailed information. I fully recommend purchasing patterns from Crochetree." - Carol Anne Boljevic

  • Easy to Follow Patterns

    If you know how the basic crochet stitches and how to read a simple pattern, you can make one of our dolls.

  • Unique & Adorable Styles

    Stand out with an amazing collection of distinctive and charming crochet doll patterns.

  • Step-by-Step Guidance

    Detailed instructions and plenty of images ensure a smooth and enjoyable crafting experience, from start to finish.

  • Unleash Your Creativity

    Boost your confidence and artistic skills while creating heartwarming, handmade treasures.

  • 24/7 Dedicated Support 

    Our team is always here to assist you, ensuring a seamless and delightful crochet journey.

  • Lifetime Access

    With your Concierge Account, you’ll never lose the files. The patterns are available 24/7 and are yours forever.


Meet Our Best Sellers

Artisan-Quality Made Easily Achievable

What our customers are saying

Founded by the Designer Ticiana Larocca

Craft Your Joy: Effortless Patterns for Unforgettable Crochet Dolls!

Discover the joy of crafting adorable crochet dolls with Crochetree, where we've made it our mission to simplify the process for you! So dive into the delightful world of crochet with us and experience the sheer magic of transforming yarn into charming companions!

Apply coupon code CT30

Shop More, Save More

At Crochetree, we always have special deals for you. Check our latest offers.