Crochet sounds like an antiquated pastime for grandmothers. “And that’s it,” says Clara Bläser. “I have the same hobby as my own grandmother.” The 28-year-old from Munich began crocheting checked bags and hats during the pandemic. First for herself, then for her friends. “I took care of the whole circle of friends,” she says. When there was no one left that Bläser knew and her friends were increasingly asked about the crochet products, Bläser started an Instagram account “clarantine.design”.
She offers hats and bags in three sizes. She needs about six hours for the smallest, eight for the middle and twelve for the largest. About five to seven parts are finished every month. Price from 65 euros. “It’s not worth it financially, but I enjoy it,” says Bläser, who works as a marketing manager mostly on her computer. Especially people with such jobs would like to make things with their hands again, she says.
“I also take analog photos. The only thing I can’t get out of is digital. I have the photos developed, but I’ll post them on the Internet again.” Not only does she always have her camera with her, she also has a needle and thread. When she goes on vacation to Italy, the trunk is full of balls of yarn. “There’s always an opportunity to crochet,” says Bläser. On the beach, on the train, on the Isar. Even when she is sitting in a café with friends, she also crochets. Now she’s a pro. After all, Bläser knotted his first stitches twenty years ago in elementary school in needlework lessons. But she got help with the first bags – not from grandma, but from her mother, who sometimes steps in as a ghost crocheter when a large order is pending.