I always chuckle when people tell me it’s too bad I only have boys, assuming that only girls are interested in hand crafts. I hope to teach my boys that they can do and learn anything they want to, regardless of other folk’s assumptions of gender related roles.
It is interesting how there is an assumption, in American culture at least, that only women knit, crochet or sew. Historically that hasn’t been the case.
Up to and during World War II many men knitted and sewed. Darning and knitting their own socks was a regular occupation for WWII soldiers. Before the industrial revolution most of the Knitting Guilds were male only.
And closer to home, when I taught a “Crochet Club” at our local school my star pupil was a 5th grade boy. It was so fun to see the boys (and the girls too) getting excited about crochet and building on their skills each week. The mother of my star pupil said that he and his sister won gift certificates at our local Michael’s Hobby and Craft store. When they went to use their prizes they both headed straight to the yarn section and had a wonderful time picking out yarns to purchase.
Today was a real celebration and time to bond with my youngest. He finally decided he wanted to learn to crochet. I had some of those big pink Lion Brand hooks and some nice chunky yarn that he was fascinated by. He will soon be turning 8 years old, so it’s a perfect age to learn to crochet.
He named his hook “Flamingo” (because it is pink and has a pointy head) and made up a whole story to remember the steps of making a chain stitch. “Flamingo goes under the yarn, then bites the yarn, puts his nose down and pulls it into his den”. He was having so much fun crocheting that he didn’t want to stop. Truly he is my son.
Is there a youngster in your life that would like to learn to crochet? A great way to celebrate National Crochet Month is helping others learn the joy of playing with yarn.
Mamas2Hands 
What a good Mom you are to teach your boys handcrafts, including crochet. I think it’s so important for young people to learn all the skills they can. And we need them to carry on the sewing traditions of the past.
Obviously your son is already a very creative person. I love his story about crochet.
Ah thanks. I think the best way I teach my children is by showing them how much fun it is to do handcrafts. I live by the idea that everything in life can be fun if you have the right attitude. My sons seem to be picking up on that and they teach me too.
Currently I’m teaching one of my granddaughters (age 8) how to crochet. We’re up to sc & working on washcloths to learn stitches. A new Hobby Lobby opened up nearby, so we had to try it. She went for the yarn isle & picked out 3 girly pink/purple skeins…already planning her next project!
Isn’t teaching wonderful? That first light bulb moment, when they realize “I CAN do this”…