HOW I BECAME A HOOKER ...

Yes, I’m a hooker—but not the kind you’re thinking of. My weapon of choice? A 4.0 mm crochet hook and a ball of yarn. My vice? Soft fibres, vibrant colours, and the soothing rhythm of loop after loop after loop.

It all started innocently enough. I’d seen YouTube videos of people creating beautiful blankets, bags, and scarves and thought, “Why not?” It looked oddly satisfying—therapeutic, even. “How hard could it be?” I asked myself. Fast forward a few hours, and I had crocheted my very first coaster.

Started with small items such as these coasters

I had no idea that this small act would grow into something much bigger—a source of calm, confidence, and connection. Also, I heard you can make money selling blankets and bags... assuming you ever bring yourself to part with them! Well, I have given away my creations as gifts —coasters and face prayer mats for close friends, a blanket for a friend's sister stricken by cancer, and a bag for the telekung.

Each piece carried not just yarn but also care, thought, and intention. It became a quiet language of love, spoken through loops and knots.

The Montana Blanket based on a pattern bought online

It also gave me something I hadn’t realised I was missing: peace… and, inevitably, a lot of yarn. Crochet eventually became my daily meditation. Just 15 minutes at the end of the day helped me unwind. It’s amazing how much clarity you can find when your hands are busy but your mind is free to breathe.

I used to be someone who wanted instant results. But with crochet, there are no shortcuts. You can’t rush a blanket or force a pattern to work if you don’t follow it properly. I learnt to slow down. I learnt to be patient—with the process, with the mistakes, and most importantly, with myself.

There were times I had to frog hours of work because I missed a stitch or miscounted a row. It used to drive me crazy. But over time, I began to see those moments not as failures but as gentle lessons in letting go and trying again.

I’d browse through yarn stores (Spotlight Malaysia, why did you close down?) like a kid in a candy shop, dreaming up ideas—mini prayer mats, baby blankets, tote bags. There’s something incredibly satisfying about creating something with your own two hands. You start with a single strand of yarn, and hours later, you have something real, something beautiful.

What started as a solo craft eventually became a way to connect. I joined a few crochet groups on Facebook and Instagram where people from around the world share their projects, offer tips, and cheer each other on. There’s an unspoken bond among crafters—an understanding that we’re not just making things; we’re stitching stories, weaving our emotions, and pouring ourselves into each loop.

But there is a special someone who continues to spur me on to continue crocheting.

Books from the 16th Raja Permaisuri Agong

Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah binti Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj

Tengku Ampuan Pahang

 Today, crochet is more than just a relaxing hobby. It’s part of who I am. So if you’ve ever considered trying something new—something quiet, something creative—consider picking up a hook. You never know what a few stitches might lead to. It could be the best decision you ever make… or at the very least, you’ll end up with a delightfully chaotic yarn stash.

Because, let’s be honest, you can never have too much yarn.