A Hooker’s (crocheter’s) life in Nigeria

So I’ve told you about my yarn woes (or lack thereof) in my neck of the woods. Today I thought I’d elaborate to give you a clearer picture.

Whenever I tell someone I crochet I’m met with blank looks. I then have to explain with gestures that I do handwork like making sweaters, caps etc with wool. Then you can see understanding dawn. But hand crafts don’t hold much value here. Then you get asked if you use one ‘stick’ or 2 ‘sticks’?

 Ironically crochet is taught in schools here!! (raised brows, dropped jaw!!!) The term crochet is used while teaching but not stressed. Names of stitches aren’t taught but the stitches themselves are.  There are many people who can do basic crochet stitches and can even make beanies and bags. But if asked to describe what they do, they are stumped.

And then we have the lack of resources. The only hooks available here are the steel hooks that are used with crochet thread. When they see my set of bamboo needles or colourful aluminium hooks, they get confused! The only yarn available is 100% acrylic, 2 ply or light fingering yarn (approximately). The yarn label is completely devoid of all useful information.

 


And so ends my tale of yarn woe! But I’m not giving up! Someday I will buy the kind of yarn I keep reading about. Someday I will buy me some Wolltraum yarn (http://www.wolltraum.com/)! A girl can dream, right? ;-)

 My dream yarn....someday...sigh...