By Sarah Ali
For Huwaida Wazir, a crochet hook is not just a tool; it is an extension of her heart. In a world that often demands instant gratification, Wazir finds her sanctuary in the slow cadence of yarn passing over her fingers. It is a quiet rebellion against the noise of everyday life, a craft that requires the kind of patience most have forgotten.
Wazir’s journey began in her senior year of high school. Inspired by a close friend, she picked up a crochet hook to fill the stillness of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021. What started as a hobby to pass the time soon evolved into a profound method of connection.
“If I actually love you, you definitely have a crocheted piece from me,” Wazir says. “It takes so much time and effort to crochet something. To put that much heart into a piece and then give it away is so special.”
Her portfolio is a diverse collection, ranging from delicate 3D-flower tote bags to plushies and intricate pillows. Yet, there is a striking irony in her work: Wazir rarely keeps anything for herself. Almost every loop she has tightened and every pattern she has mastered has been destined for someone else.
“I’ve crocheted more than 30 pieces, but they were all for other people,” she adds. “My projects reflect the person I’m crocheting for. I think about what they would like, what describes them and I try to find a project that relates to their personality.”
This process is not a sacrifice of her time, but a deliberate sharing of it. In her view, the hours spent hunched over a medical drama like “House,” her “crochet show” of choice, are moments of reflection. The repetitive motions allow her to detach from the pressures of work and study.
“It’s not a loss of time,” Wazir says. “I’m willing to share the time I have. At this point, with the [number] of hours it takes to do something, you become one with the project. It’s me, basically.”
However, the path to mastery was not without its shaky beginnings. She recalls her first attempts, a beanie and a book sleeve, as asymmetrical pieces where she constantly lost her stitches. What she thought would be a simple beanie to crochet accidentally became a giant, lopsided ski mask. But these errors taught her the most valuable lesson of the craft: consistency.
A turning point came when she wanted to crochet a tote bag featuring 3D flowers. It required symmetrical precision and difficult color changes. “Once I finished that project, I gave myself a pat on the back,” she says. “I realized I was no longer a beginner.”
Despite the growing trend of crochet on social media, Wazir remains rooted in the traditional essence of the art. To her, it is a living art form that bridges generations and personalities. Each color choice and yarn texture is a decision made with the recipient in mind, a way of showcasing her empathy through physical form.
The emotional attachment she forms with her work is so strong that she often finds it difficult to part with the finished piece. But, the joy of the gift always outweighs the desire to possess the art.
When asked to describe the feeling of finally finishing a complex, multi-week project, Wazir uses a metaphor that speaks to the soul’s exhaustion and eventual relief.
“It’s like cold water,” she says. “You know when you’re so thirsty and you finally drink water? It’s that kind of satisfaction. My thirst is quenched.”
For those looking to follow in her footsteps, Wazir offers a gentle reminder to be kind to oneself during the learning process. She believes the art of crochet is a journey where anyone can learn to be patient, even if they start by making lopsided beanies.
“Don’t be discouraged,” she says. “Every new project needs different steps. You need to give yourself time to learn and get the hang of it. Even if it takes two months, the time and effort you put in is what matters. Eventually, you’ll crochet a flower.”
In Wazir’s hands, the yarn becomes more than just yarn; it becomes a narrative of friendship and a testament to the beauty of slowing down.
Her work reminds us that the most meaningful gifts aren’t bought; they are grown, stitch by stitch, in the quiet corners of a busy life.
