9 Audiobooks I Loved Listening to While Crocheting
The most soothing way to pass the time
If you've been around for a while, you know that I love crocheting while listening to a good audiobook. It has become one of my favorite pastimes. In the fall of 2022, I needed a hobby that got me off my phone. My husband was headed out of town for a long weekend, so I had the house to myself. I knew I wanted the weekend to feel restful and restorative rather than like I wasted it looking at my phone. So, in addition to making a few plans with friends to ensure I'd get out of the house, I made a list of cozy movies to watch and, after some crafting research, decided to crochet a scarf.
I crocheted in high school and college but hadn't done so in several years. So I headed to the local craft store, bought a skein of yarn and a crochet hook, and happily spent my time at home that weekend tying tiny knots into a scarf I proudly wore.
Since then, my list of queued projects and yarns has grown, and I love pairing the time I spend crocheting with listening to an audiobook. Besides going on an audiobook walk, it's my favorite time to listen to an audiobook. So, I wanted to share some of the projects I've worked on over the last few years and the audiobooks I enjoyed while doing so (I've also listened to some real duds while working on projects, which I've left off this list!)
And, a quick note while we're chatting audiobooks: I want to (once again) since the praises of Libro.FM. If you're an audiobook listener and you still use Audible, I can't recommend switching to LibroFM enough! Your membership supports independent bookstores and they have a huge selection. Through Saturday, you can sign up for a new membership and get three audiobook credits when you do. It's a win-win. They’ve got a great sale on a number of titles going on at the moment, and I also curated a list of even more selections for you.
Now, onto the recommendations…
9 Audiobooks I Loved Listening to While Crocheting
People Person by Candice Carty-Williams while crocheting the 70s tote bag. This story reminded me so much of the TV show Bad Sisters. When tragedy strikes, Dimple brings her four half-siblings together to help her. They get to know one another and bond over their deadbeat dad. This was a darkly funny family drama that made for great listening!
Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng while crocheting my green scarf (it was such a basic pattern that I can’t remember where I found it!). The one that started it all. I loved this audiobook because Lucy Liu narrated it, which felt like listening to honey. Ng imagines a not-so-distant future that feels startlingly possible, and this story will sweep you away.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sanga Mandanna while making this lightweight triangle scarf for my mother-in-law. This combination was so cozy. I made this as a Christmas gift a few years ago, so it was the perfect time to listen to this cozy, magical book and spend some time on the couch.
Actress by Anne Enright while making a baby blanket for my niece. Narrators are such an important part of the audiobook listening experience for me, and I love any narrator with an accent. Actress is narrated by an Irish narrator, and I could have listened for many more hours to this enchanting story of a complicated mother-daughter relationship.
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz while spending many hours working on this wrap that I love. It's like a blanket and so toasty. Plus, you cannot go wrong with any color combo you choose with this yarn. This audiobook was a wild ride! I love a literary mystery and this fit the bill, making me say "just one more row" while I continued listening.
This Is The Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett while making this fun scarf. I picked this combo last fall right after we had to say our final goodbye to our senior kitty. I wanted a project that felt joyful (hence the color) and an audiobook that would feel comforting (hence the Patchett). Patchett narrates this collection of essays, and it felt like a balm.
Talking at Night by Claire Daverley while knitting my first project: the Sophie Scarf. I wanted to dip my toes into the knitting world this year, so I started with the popular neckerchief (which I've now made in two colors!). I loved the narrator and the heart-wrenching story in Talking at Night; it felt perfect to listen to in small doses.
Greta + Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly and Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle while working on this throw for my office. It took a long time but was a really easy, meditative project. Both of these audiobooks brought me joy, too! Greta + Valdin was funny and tender, and Expiration Dates was like a little bowl of candy; it was such an audio treat.
And in my queue, you ask?
This week, I started working on my first piece of clothing! I'm making this adorable scalloped tank top for summer and starting listening to The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl, which I've really been looking forward to. These things together feel like the freshest, most fun combination.
I also ordered the yarn earlier this week for this bag, so it's next in my queue. I think it will be perfect for trips to the beach and picnics at the park this summer. I've got The Husbands by Holly Gramazio in my Libro.FM queue, so I think that will be a fun listen.
Do you have a craft you love doing while listening to audiobooks? Or a favorite audiobook you listened to recently? Let me know! I’d love to hear.
‘Til next time,
Michelle!!! That bag!!!! 😍 to die for she’s lovely! And yet another reminder for me to get round to reading Greta & Valdin
Okay--you've inspired me! I used to love needlepoint, but now that I don't watch TV, I never do it anymore. Often lamenting the fact that I don't have 4 hands and 4 eyes to needlepoint and read at the same time. Eye roll at myself! I struggle with audiobooks because I feel like I don't absorb as much, but time to give them another try :):) alsooo what Martha said--that BAG!