Laureen has always had yarn in her life. She knew how to knit long before the world slowed down in 2020, but it wasn’t until a friend picked up her needles again that Laureen felt inspired to join her. As the two of them chatted, they discovered a shared dream: learning to crochet. So that July, they began taking an online class together, and that small decision opened a whole new creative world.
Very quickly, Laureen fell in love with the versatility of crochet. To her, it felt even more freeing than knitting. She and her friend practiced by making crocheted pumpkins (dozens of them), used as thank-you gifts for her daughter’s graduation party in blue and gold. That early project lit a spark that hasn’t gone out since.
In October 2021, Laureen stumbled upon Crochetree and fell in love instantly, especially with Hazel. A three-pattern sale sealed the deal, and she picked up Hazel, Oliver, and Louise. Oliver became her very first doll. She worked him up in worsted-weight yarn, and to her surprise, he turned out 21 inches tall. More importantly, she discovered something else she loved: the Crochetree community. Whether asking questions in the Facebook group or sending a private message, she always felt supported, welcomed, and encouraged.
Her second doll is Granny Grace, a project that carries special meaning. When Crochetree held a naming contest for their new granny doll, Laureen submitted the name Grace, after her great-grandmother. To her delight, she won. Now she’s making her very own Granny Grace using the official yarn kit to keep everything beautifully coordinated and closer to the original size. Oliver will always be special, but she admits she’s a little partial to Granny Grace.
Laureen’s creativity doesn’t end with dolls. In just five years of crocheting and knitting, she has made everything from amigurumi animals and cupcakes to towel toppers, washcloths, slippers, hats, dolls, and even phone pouches. But her proudest moment remains her first Crochetree doll. People are always amazed when they see Oliver. One friend loved him so much that she carried him around during Laureen's entire visit. That memory still fills her with warmth.
For Laureen, the magic of crochet is that anyone can do it. All it takes is practice, curiosity, and maybe a buddy or an online group to learn alongside. She loves adding personal touches: choosing her own eye and hair colors, experimenting with unexpected yarns, or even repurposing a wine-bottle sweater into a doll’s top. Thinking outside the box is half the fun.
These days, crochet is more than a hobby for Laureen. It’s her evening ritual. Every night she relaxes with her hook or needles while watching TV or listening to an audiobook. It’s her quiet time to unwind, breathe, and make something filled with heart.
