My Top 10 Podcasts to Listen to Whilst Crocheting
Why I Love Listening to Podcasts Whilst Crocheting: Audio Companions for Adventures in Yarn
I find something truly magical about pairing my crochet time with podcasts. The rhythmic motion of my hook combined with engaging audio creates the perfect relaxing environment after a long day.
Unlike watching TV, audio podcasts don’t require me to look at a screen. This means I can focus completely on my stitches without missing anything important. My productivity has actually increased considerably since switching from screen to audio for my evening entertainment!
The variety of podcast topics available is incredible, and increasing every day. Some days I’m in the mood for:
- True crime mysteries
- Crafty chat
- Science explanations
- Book reviews
- Relaxing nature or lifestyle content
I’m not limited to craft-related content, though I do enjoy that a lot. However, I find that listening to a wide range of topics, according to my mood, keeps my crochet sessions fresh and enjoyable.
The entertainment factor cannot be overstated. Interesting, amusing or intriguing podcasts always make the time fly by and I often find myself extending crochet sessions just to hear the end of an episode!
Learning while crafting feels like a superpower and a double win! I gain new knowledge while creating something beautiful with my hands. Did you know that keeping your hands busy with a repetitive task like crochet can even make it easier for your brain to absorb and remember new information?
Another big bonus about podcasts is that the vast majority of them (including all the ones I mention below) are completely free.
Thousands of new podcast episodes are published every day but, when you find a series you like, there is also the joy of diving into its back catalogue to unearth all the gems you’ve not yet heard.
So, why not read on to discover my top ten podcasts and find a new companion or two for your next crochet session.
My Top 10 Podcasts to Listen to Whilst Crocheting
Here are my 10 favourite podcasts that I tune into whilst crocheting. They are in no particular order and cover a whole range of different topics.
1. A Life More Wild
This podcast takes me on adventures into the natural world without leaving my crafting corner. Hosted by nature enthusiasts, A Life More Wild explores the connection between humans and the natural world.
Each episode features inspiring people (including some celebrities) who have embraced the wilderness in unique and often unexpected ways – from forest bathing practitioners to coastal conservationists.
I especially love the episode in the Cairngorms with Lise Wortley. As part of her mission to bring female explorers and adventurers the prominence they deserve, she once spent a month following in the footsteps of the writer Nan Shepherd through the mountains, in full period attire!
The gentle background sounds of nature that accompany each episode, combined with the slow pace, make this podcast perfect for relaxing and calming crochet sessions.
2. All In the Mind
The fascinating BBC podcast All In The Mind explores psychology, neuroscience, and mental health in ways that are interesting and accessible but never oversimplified.
This is an area of science that I find fascinating and I love learning more about how our brains work. Each episode tackles complex topics such as memory formation, the science of habit-building, or how creativity impacts brain health. The host brings in experts who explain the latest research clearly and with a good balance between scientific information, practical advice and real-life stories.
I especially enjoyed this episode on the psychology of knitting and crochet, which really validated why I find crochet so therapeutic!
3. As the Season Turns
As the Season Turns is a delightful and calming podcast that follows the natural rhythm of the year, exploring seasonal traditions, folklore, nature, and mindful living practices.
The host, Lia Leendertz, has an incredibly soothing voice that pairs perfectly with the meditative nature of crocheting.
The podcast includes interviews with many fascinating people, including herbalists, farmers, and cultural historians. Each episode contains new nuggets of knowledge, with topics ranging from the moon and stars down to the tides and trees.
As well the the main episode, which is released at the start of each month, there is a special “Found Sounds” episode, which comes out in the middle of each month. Each Found Sounds episode focuses on an individual with a special connection to the natural world, traditional crafts, or folklore.
4. Bookshelfie: Women’s Prize Podcast
As someone who loves both books and crocheting, the Bookshelfie Podcast is a brilliant match for my crafting sessions. Each episode features in-depth conversations between the host, Vick Hope, and women authors about their favorite books.
The discussions delve into female characters and women’s experiences in literature and writing, and are always thought-provoking and inspiring.
What I love most is hearing successful women authors talk about the books that shaped them. From old classics and children’s tales, to the latest new fiction, I’ve added countless recommendations to my reading list while listening.
The format is consistent but never boring – five favorite books discussed with warmth and insight. Episodes typically run for about an hour, perfect for an evening crochet session!
5. Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley
Another excellent listen from the BBC, Lady Killers is an historical, true crime podcast with a feminist twist.
In this podcast, Lucy Worsley investigates the fascinating cases of women who were accused of murder throughout history. The historical context provided in each episode gives a deeper understanding of women’s lives in different eras and Lucy explores not just the crimes but the social conditions that surrounded them, so that we can better understand these women’s actions.
The podcast includes trips to the crime sites and interviews with local historians. Lucy examines aspects such as:
- Evidence from historical records
- Legal procedures of the time
- Gender biases in historical justice systems
- How modern forensics and law might view these cases
I find myself completely absorbed in these stories while my crochet work almost happens on autopilot. Lucy’s warm and engaging storytelling style makes each episode a captivating listen and it’s always a treat when a new episode is released.
The latest series has moved on from Lady Killers to Lady Swindlers but is still as fascinating as ever.
6. Making Stitches Podcast
The Making Stitches podcast feels a lot like joining a crafting circle with friends. Hosted by lifelong crafter Lindsay Weston, Making Stitches celebrates all forms of yarn and needlework with interviews featuring a vast range of designers, authors, and everyday crafters, from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Each episode is as unique as its guests. For example, topics may include:
- Personal crafting journeys
- Technical tips and tricks
- Discussion of crafting for wellbeing
- Bringing yarn and needlecrafts into the community
- How crafts can make a wonderful contribution to charitable causes
This podcast truly celebrates the crafting community in all its diverse forms.
A few years ago, I was even interviewed for an episode myself, which you can listen to here if you’d like to.
7. Small Ways to Live Well
The Small Ways to Live Well podcast comes from The Simple Things magazine. Like the magazine, this podcast is all about slowing down, remembering what’s important and making the most of where you live. There is an emphasis on the outdoors, seasonality, nature, food, crafts, and connecting with people.
The podcast offers pressure-free, fun, and accessible ideas that are perfect for implementing in daily life. Each episode focuses on the particular time of year when it was recorded, and the suggestions are suited to that month. For example, the ideas for mid-summer will be quite different to those for the depths of winter!
The conversations are light, fun and judgment-free – it’s like sitting down for a nice chat with an old friend over a cuppa and a slice of cake.
8. The Messy Success Podcast
The honest, refreshing Messy Success Podcast explores the non-linear paths to success in creative fields.
The host, Elizabeth Henson, talks openly with her guests about their failures, false starts, and unexpected detours along the way to success. As a crochet designer, I find it hugely encouraging and inspiring, and I always take something useful away from each episode.
The interviews feature creative entrepreneurs from various fields including:
- Artists and makers
- Small business owners
- Writers and content creators
- Designers and crafting professionals
- Brand and marketing experts
The conversations touch on issues such as imposter syndrome, work-life balance, and finding your unique voice.
If you run, or are thinking about running, a creative business, then this is a great podcast to add to your list.
9. Why I Knit
Like many crocheters, I also enjoy knitting. However, even if you don’t knit, the Why I Knit podcast offers insights that apply to all yarn crafts.
Each episode features someone sharing their personal story of how knitting has impacted and improved their life, especially their mental health. For some, knitting was especially beneficial during a particular period. For others, it has provided life-long support.
The host, Dr Mia Hobbs, is both a clinical psychologist and an avid knitter. She has a keen interest in how knitting can benefit people’s mental health and she interviews her guests to learn their stories of how crafting, especially knitting, has helped them through grief, illness, major life transitions, or simply finding their community.
10. Mind of the Crochet Designer
If you’re a crochet designer, an aspiring crochet designer, or you have simply wondered what the life of a crochet designer is really like, then the Mind of the Crochet Designer podcast is a great listen.
The host, Christina Hadderingh, herself a successful crochet designer, shares her thoughts and advice about crochet designing in a fresh, honest and engaging way.
The episodes vary in length and cover topics such as the fear of copying other designs, how to market your design, and how to find inspiration for your next design. In some episodes, Christina shares her own thoughts on these topics, whilst in others she interviews other designers or people from the yarn industry.
Each episode is always really interesting and encourages me to look at aspects of my crochet designing in a new way.
Summing up
For me, crochet and podcasts make the perfect combination for a fun and relaxing crafting session.
I’ve shared my top 10 podcasts that keep me entertained while my hook is working away. Ranging from true crime to nature and wellness, and of course crafting, there’s something for every mood and every project.
I hope you’ve found something new from this list that you can enjoy the next time you pick up your hook. Do you have any other suggestions that you would add? Please do share your own favorite podcasts in the comments below. I’m always looking to add new shows to my crafting playlist and would love to hear what keeps your hook moving.
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