Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast

Marcy Gardner
  • 4.9 (20)
  • CRAFTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Want to grow your crochet skills and create a life you love through creativity? Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast helps you do exactly that. I’m Marcy Gardner—crochet designer, entrepreneur, and mom of two—and each week I bring you crochet inspiration, beginner-friendly amigurumi tips, and creative business strategies designed for makers like you. From selling at craft fairs to making meaningful gifts, this podcast is about using your yarn and your gifts to bring joy, freedom, and impact. If you dream of turning yarn into purpose, projects, or even profit, you’re in the right place.

  1. 5D AGO

    Where Does Yarn Come From? The Truth About Natural vs. Synthetic Fibers for Amigurumi and Clothing | Crochet and Knitting Life

    Ever looked at a ball of yarn and wondered how it actually happened? It seems like such a simple thing, but the journey from a sheep’s back (or a scientist’s lab!) to your crochet hook is kind of mind-blowing. In this episode of Simply Hooked, I’m taking you behind the scenes of the fiber world. We’re digging into the "glow-up" process of natural fibers—from the shearing and scouring of raw wool to the rhythmic magic of carding and spinning. I even share a bit about my own (very humbling) experience with an Ashford spinning wheel a decade ago! What we’re covering today: Animal vs. Plant vs. Synthetic: The major differences between wool, cotton, and acrylic. The Cleaning Process: Why you can’t just rinse wool in the sink (unless you want a giant clump of felt). The Science of Synthetic: How petroleum-based materials become the soft amigurumi yarn we love. Plies & Twists: Why some yarns are sturdier than others and how they’re finished for the craft store shelf. Every stitch we make is the final chapter of a story that started long before the yarn hit our stash. Let’s explore that story together! The Lifetime All-Access Pattern Vault: Get every pattern I’ve ever made (and every future release!) for one single price.  Hank the Hippo Signature Crochet Kit: Grab the preorder for the kit and the "Do You Know Hank the Hippo?" children’s book!  🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠ 🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

    13 min
  2. You Become What You Think About: The "Strangest Secret" for Creatives | From the Late Great Earl Nightingale

    FEB 3

    You Become What You Think About: The "Strangest Secret" for Creatives | From the Late Great Earl Nightingale

    What if your thoughts were the "pattern" for your entire life? In this episode of Threads of Wisdom, we explore Earl Nightingale’s transformative concept from The Strangest Secret: "We become what we think about." Discover how to weed out "mental knots" and plant the seeds for a life you love. For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling! 🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠ 🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

    5 min
  3. My Crochet Husband's POV on Scaling my Business | Creative Entrepreneurship, Crochet Business

    JAN 29

    My Crochet Husband's POV on Scaling my Business | Creative Entrepreneurship, Crochet Business

    Can a marriage survive a 5:30 AM market-day pack-out and a house full of amigurumi? In this special episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I’m sitting down with my favorite guest—my husband! He’s seen the entire evolution of my journey from the very first stitch I made in 2012 to the creative business I run today. We’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to live with a full-time crochet designer and entrepreneur. In this episode, we discuss: The Origin Story The Business of Crochet The "Stash" Reality Whether you’re a fellow maker looking for tips on involving your partner in your business or you just want a good laugh about the chaos of the creative life, this episode is for you! 🔆Join the Lifetime All-Access Pattern Vault: Get instant access to over 99 patterns PLUS every new pattern I release in the future. For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling! 🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠Join The Next Crochet Kit Club⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠

    20 min
  4. Stop Playing Small: Mindset Shifts to Grow Your Handmade Shop, Find Your Zone of Genius, and Sell More Crochet

    JAN 22

    Stop Playing Small: Mindset Shifts to Grow Your Handmade Shop, Find Your Zone of Genius, and Sell More Crochet

    If you feel stuck in the "daily grind," this episode is for you. We explore why many creative entrepreneurs self-sabotage just as they start to see success. Using the framework from The Big Leap, we break down how to stop doing the tasks that drain you and start focusing on the work that actually moves the needle for your shop. Identify your Zone of Genius: The secret to scaling without burning out.Break Through the Ceiling: Practical tips for crochet designers to allow more success and happiness into their business. Mindset for Makers: Overcoming the fear of "The Big Leap."For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling! 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠⁠ 🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch

    17 min
  5. Why Crochet Patterns Look So Complicated (And How to Read Them Without Feeling Overwhelmed)

    JAN 19

    Why Crochet Patterns Look So Complicated (And How to Read Them Without Feeling Overwhelmed)

    Have you ever opened a crochet pattern, taken one look at all the abbreviations, brackets, parentheses, and numbers, and immediately felt overwhelmed? You are not alone. In this episode, we’re breaking down how to read crochet patterns for beginners and explaining why crochet patterns look so complicated in the first place. If you’ve ever wondered what stitches like sc, inc, dec, ch, sts, or instructions like [inc, sc in 3] x8 (40) actually mean, this episode will help it all finally click. You’ll learn:● Why crochet patterns are written in shorthand ● The real reason abbreviations exist (and why they’re actually helpful) ● How to understand brackets, repeats, and stitch counts ● What parentheses at the end of a round are really telling you ● Why the notes section at the beginning of a crochet pattern matters more than you think ● The difference between US vs UK crochet terms and how using the wrong one can completely change your project ● A simple 3-step approach to reading any crochet pattern without feeling intimidated Whether you’re brand new to crochet, struggling to follow amigurumi patterns, or just want to feel more confident reading written instructions, this episode will help you stop feeling stuck and start understanding crochet patterns like a pro. For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling! 🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠ 🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

    14 min

  6. JAN 9

    How to Read a Yarn Label: Understanding Weight, Yardage, & Symbols for Crochet Beginners

    Does standing in the yarn aisle feel a bit like trying to read a foreign language? You’re not alone! In this episode, we’re cracking the code on those cryptic yarn label symbols so you can choose your next skein with total confidence. I’ll break down the critical difference between yarn weight and skein weight, explain why yardage matters more than the number of balls, and demystify dye lots and fiber content. Tune in to turn that confusion into clarity and ensure your hard work results in a project you love. Yarn Weight vs. Skein Weight: We clear up the common confusion between the thickness of the strand (categories 0-7) and the physical weight of the ball. The Yardage Rule: Learn why buying based on the "number of skeins" is a mistake and how to use yardage to ensure you never run out mid-project. Decoding Dye Lots: Discover why checking this tiny number is the secret to professional-looking blankets and garments without mismatched colors. For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling! 🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠

    16 min

  7. 12/31/2025

    A Gentle New Year Reset for Crocheters: Expand Your Awareness, Set 12 Week Goals, and Create with Intention

    The new year does not need to start with pressure or hustle. This gentle New Year reset for crocheters is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and move forward with intention. In this episode, we talk about awareness, creativity, and why you are not behind. Whether crochet is your hobby, your business, or something in between, this conversation will help you reconnect with what matters most and choose a focused path forward without overwhelm. In this episode, you’ll explore:● Why awareness always comes before change● How to release pressure and unrealistic New Year goals● A gentle reflection on your crochet life over the past year● How the 12 Week Year framework helps creatives stay focused without burnout● Choosing one meaningful twelve week intention instead of planning an entire year● Expanding your awareness and allowing yourself to imagine what is possible This episode is a calming reset for creative women, crocheters, and moms who want growth that feels aligned, peaceful, and sustainable. RESOURCES AND LINKS For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling! 🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠Join The Next Crochet Kit Club⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠ 🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

    16 min

  8. 12/18/2025

    The History of Crochet: Origins, WWI Survival, Queen Victoria & The Granny Square Revolution

    Have you ever wondered where crochet actually came from? When you dig into the archives, you won’t find ancient Roman ruins or Egyptian tombs—instead, you’ll find one of the biggest mysteries in the fiber world. In this episode, we are taking a deep dive into the fascinating, rebellious, and survival-driven history of crochet. From the rugged origins of "Shepherd’s Knitting" in Scotland to the trenches of World War I, we explore how this craft has always shown up exactly when humanity needed it most. In this episode, we cover: The Ancient Mystery: Why crochet appears out of nowhere in the 19th century and the theories behind Shepherd’s Knitting and Tambour Embroidery. Royal Influence: The story of Queen Victoria personally crocheting scarves for soldiers during the Boer War at age 81. Crochet as Survival: How the Red Cross used crochet for WWI trench gear and how soldiers used it to cope with "shell shock" (PTSD). The Revolution: How the humble Granny Square went from a "make do and mend" necessity to a symbol of 1970s counterculture and fashion. For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling! 🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠Join The Next Crochet Kit Club⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠ 🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

    6 min
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4.9
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Want to grow your crochet skills and create a life you love through creativity? Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast helps you do exactly that. I’m Marcy Gardner—crochet designer, entrepreneur, and mom of two—and each week I bring you crochet inspiration, beginner-friendly amigurumi tips, and creative business strategies designed for makers like you. From selling at craft fairs to making meaningful gifts, this podcast is about using your yarn and your gifts to bring joy, freedom, and impact. If you dream of turning yarn into purpose, projects, or even profit, you’re in the right place.

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