How one afghan helped her quit smoking, and how dolls now bring her peace and joy
Diane Lee Sullivan’s path with crochet has been anything but ordinary. What began as a teenage hobby evolved into a lifelong companion that carried her through some of life’s most challenging and transformative moments. From using crochet to help quit smoking during her time serving in Iraq to gifting handmade dolls that bring joy to her loved ones, Diane’s story is a testament to the healing, fulfilling, and creative power of yarn and a hook.
"I taught myself to crochet when I was about 13 years old, using books and magazines like Annie’s Attic. My inspiration came from the simple need to keep my hands busy. I’ve always loved working with textiles and creating things with them.
I had to stop crocheting for a long while because of life circumstances. My parents’ divorce, school, and taking care of my younger siblings. But in 2009, while I was in Iraq, crochet came back into my life. At the time, I was working as an aircraft mechanic, repairing structures on military helicopters and jets. I had brought yarn with me, and in my downtime, I started crocheting granny squares to make an afghan. It was a way to keep my hands busy so I could stop smoking. By the time I finished the afghan, I had quit! And I gave that blanket to a co-worker.
After Iraq, when I returned to the States, I got more involved with my motorcycle club and took another long break from crocheting. But in 2021, I picked it up again. I started watching YouTube tutorials and saw amigurumi projects being shared on Facebook. They looked so fun! I bought some amigurumi kits from Darn Good Yarn and loved them so much that I began making dolls and gifts for my young great-nieces and nephew.
That’s when I discovered Crochetree on Facebook. My very first project was the Ice Princess. The instructions were so clear, and the embroidery on the eyes was easier than I expected. I was hooked! Since then, I’ve made eight dolls, the Halloween set, Dougie the Dog, Betsy Bear, and a bunny rabbit. Out of all of them, my favorite so far has been Yuki.
One of my proudest crochet accomplishments is a mallard duck I was paid to make for a co-worker’s baby shower. Beyond that, I’ve made sweaters for dear friends and gifted dolls to family. The joy they feel when receiving something handmade makes it all worthwhile.
For me, crochet isn’t tied to a single memory. Instead, it’s about peace. It’s how I decompress after a stressful week, how I ease my soul. Now that I’m retired, crochet has become my joy. I love sitting back with a podcast or audiobook, a cat curled up in my lap, and just stitching away. It’s perfect.
For beginners, my advice is this: don’t be afraid to pull the yarn back apart and start again as many times as you need. YouTube is full of wonderful tutorials, and I’ve used many of them to add little touches to Crochetree dolls, like fuller noses and mouths to complement their beautiful embroidered eyes.
Looking ahead, I know my retirement will be even more fulfilling thanks to crochet. I’ll keep making dolls and amigurumi projects, gifting them to loved ones, and maybe even selling a few to buy more yarn to keep going. Crochet brings me joy, and I plan to continue exploring creativity, whether through more crochet or even cross-stitch. At the end of the day, making something with my hands just makes my day brighter."
Diane Lee Sulivan.
