Crochet Podcast 185: 15 Non Yarny Questions | Behind the Secret Yarnery

15 Non Yarny Questions From the Secret Yarnery Crochet Podcast 185

Sometimes the best way to get to know me has nothing to do with yarn weight, hook sizes, or stitch counts. In this Crochet Podcast episode 185, I answer 15 fun, personal, and very relatable Non Yarny Questions. The result feels less like a formal Q&A and more like sitting down for a cheerful catch-up with someone who loves color, creativity, family, and a little bit of happy chaos.

If you enjoy Secret Yarnery for my crochet tutorials, this episode adds the missing piece. It shows my habits, quirks, memories, and life moments behind the channel. It also turns into a tag challenge, so you and other creators can answer the same questions for yourselves.

The first memories, dream jobs, and quirky collections

The first few Non Yarny Questions ease in gently, but they still reveal a lot. When I was asked about my first concert, I remembered seeing Stevie Wonder in Vancouver. What stuck with me most was not only the music, but also the image of the backup singers in glamorous, head-to-toe sequin mermaid dresses in rich colors. That memory feels very on-brand for me now. If you know my crochet style, my love of sparkle and bright color makes perfect sense.

My childhood dream job also feels like a clue to where I was headed. I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, partly because of the color-coding and all the stationery supplies. That answer is funny, but it also comes full circle. Today, I teach crochet, I still love organizing things by color, and I still enjoy the supplies that make a workspace feel put together.

Then came one of the most memorable answers in the whole episode: my quirky collection. It isn’t teacups or vintage books. It’s storage bins.

I talk about moving from Canada to Africa about 25 years ago and bringing my Rubbermaid bins along with me. Some lids broke over time, but parting with them has been harder than I expected. At the same time, newer storage options have completely won me over, especially clear containers with wheels and slanted fronts that I now use for partially used balls of yarn.

A few reasons these organizers work so well for me:

• Easy access: the bins roll in and out, so grabbing yarn feels quick and simple.
• Color sorting: used balls stay grouped together by shade, which makes planning easier.
• Less cleanup pressure: instead of putting every ball back into the main stash, I can drop it into the right bin and keep going.

Two clear plastic refrigerator organizers with small wheels, filled with colorful yarn balls sorted by color like pink and white, featuring slanted fronts for easy access, arranged side by side on a wooden shelf in a bright home craft room with natural daylight. 

That kind of smart stash setup is very much part of my Secret Yarnery style. If yarn organization makes your heart beat faster, this guide on how to organize crochet yarn by color and weight 

[https://secretyarnery.com/blogs/blog/the-absolute-best-way-to-organize-your-crochet-yarn-collection] is a natural next read.

There are also more DIY yarn storage ideas for small spaces [https://secretyarnery.com/blogs/blog/15-cheap-easy-diy-yarn-storage-ideas-for-small-spaces] if your own bins are starting to multiply.

And if unusual yarn storage solutions make you smile, this yarn storage forum thread [https://www.knittingparadise.com/threads/yarn-storage-idea-using-refrigerator.677758/] shows other crafters are just as creative about stash management.

The tiny moments and personality traits that say a lot

Some of the strongest answers in this Crochet Podcast episode 185 are the ones that sound small at first. One question asks about a tiny life moment that felt much bigger than it should have. My answer is simple and heartfelt: the first time someone told me they had learned to crochet from me.

That moment clearly landed deep. It wasn’t about numbers or views. It was about hearing that a real person had picked up a hook and learned a skill because of something I shared. For anyone who teaches, that kind of feedback means everything.

The first time someone said they learned to crochet from me, it touched my heart in a big way.

Another question asks which personality trait I have had my whole life. My answer is fixer, and that word fits. I don’t like sitting in a problem and staying stuck there. If something is wrong, I want to change it, adjust it, and make it work better.

That attitude shows up in everyday life, but it also shows up in my crochet. I talk about fixing stitch counts, making squares sit flat without needing blocking, and working through the design problems that come with unusual granny square ideas. I even mention the challenge of designing shapes like a granny square heart or a Mickey Mouse-inspired granny square, where getting the proportions right is part of the fun.

It makes sense that polished crochet projects would appeal to me. A clean edge, a balanced shape, and a pattern that behaves are deeply satisfying when you’re wired to solve problems. That same neat-finish mindset shows up in projects like this granny square blanket pattern with a perfect matching start and finish [https://secretyarnery.com/blogs/blog/granny-square-blanket-pattern-with-a-perfect-matching-start-and-finish], where straight edges and a tidy result really matter.

I follow that answer with another one that feels equally honest. What am I weirdly good at, even though it’s not exactly necessary? Reorganizing things that are already organized. For some people that sounds exhausting. For others, it sounds oddly relaxing. For me, it’s clearly a happy place. 

WIPs, Pet Peeves, and the kind of chaos she likes anyway

This middle stretch of the episode is especially relatable for crocheters because it gets into habits that most makers know all too well. When asked what I always do even though I know better, I admit to starting new projects before finishing the old ones. In crochet language, that means more WIPs, and sometimes those WIPs quietly turn into UFOs, unfinished objects that haven’t been touched in far too long.

The reason is familiar. I want to create right now, but filming can slow that down. A project might need to be recorded at a certain stage before moving ahead, and that pause opens the door for a new idea. Suddenly a cute pink ball of yarn is calling, and a fresh little project sounds much more fun than setting up the camera.

Then comes a pet peeve that feels incredibly specific, which is exactly why it’s so good. Family photos on the mantle need to sit in a pleasing arc, with height and spacing that lets every photo show. If they line up in stiff rows, it bothers me. Slanted pictures or crooked mirrors also fall into that category.

I even share a practical home tip: putting a small dab of hot glue on the bottom corners of frames can help keep them from shifting out of place. It’s such a me answer. Even a decorating annoyance becomes a fixable problem.

On the flip side, I also admit the kind of chaos I secretly enjoy. In my case, it’s baskets of works in progress sitting on the floor. I have several near my work area and several more near the TV. It may not look tidy, but it makes the yarn easy to grab, and that convenience has its own charm.

There’s something very honest in that balance. I like order. I like systems. Yet I also like the lived-in mess of active creativity. For a lot of crocheters, that feels true at home too.

The best parts of the day and the little things that lift her mood

One of the warmest parts of this Non Yarny Questions episode is sharing what parts of the day mean the most to me. These answers give a real sense of my rhythm at home.

There are three moments that stand out:

• Morning school send-off: I love being at the door, waving and sending the kids off for the day.
• Quiet afternoon crochet time: around 2:00, when the house is calm, I can settle in with a show and crochet in peace.
• When the kids come home: this is the best part, especially being there to ask how their day went the moment they walk in.

That last part feels especially important to me. I always say if you miss that first moment, you often miss the real story of the day. Later on, kids may say nothing happened. Right when they get home, though, the details are still fresh. It’s a family ritual I really value.

The next question is about something small that instantly improves my mood. For me, it’s a perfectly made bed. Not stiff or formal, but smooth, crisp, and neat, with pillows lined up and no wrinkles in sight. I like it to look untouched, almost like a hotel bed waiting at the end of the day.

That answer becomes even funnier because my husband is the exact opposite. He’ll happily flop onto the bed in the middle of the day and disturb the whole setup, which I cannot stand.

There is also a second answer tucked into this section, and it’s a lovely one. When I need cheering up, I look at YouTube comments. Kind words from you remind me that my work helps people, and that perspective makes everything feel smaller and lighter.

The two yeses that changed everything

The most powerful stories in this Crochet Podcast episode 185 come from questions 12 and 13. Both answers are about saying yes, even when the outcome was uncertain.

The first was agreeing to teach crochet in person. I tell the story through a fundraiser connected to an orphanage and a mother who needed a way to support her family while caring for her baby. The original idea was practical and hopeful: teach crochet, make simple items, and sell them at a fair. But the learning curve, especially around starting and stopping yarn properly, made it hard to prepare enough finished pieces in time.

So I adjusted. Instead of selling only handmade items, I packaged yarn kits with a hook, yarn, and written patterns for simple projects like slippers, coasters, and a water bottle bag. At the fair, people began asking if I could teach them.

That small opening turned into a signup sheet. Around 38 or 39 people added their names. Then one eager woman kept calling to ask when classes would begin, which finally pushed the first meetup into motion. What I expected to be a tiny lesson at a coffee shop turned into 19 people showing up and filling the place.

It was awkward, crowded, and a bit chaotic. Still, it worked. Another crocheter there helped one side of the group while I helped the other, and from that point the classes grew into something real. They became ongoing crochet lessons, then two classes a week, then part of a completely different life.

The second big yes was uploading my first YouTube video. It was never meant to launch a business. It was simply a way to help one student, Litza, continue her project at home. The video covered a small technique, either turning work at the end of a row or changing color, and it was made for one person.

Then other people found it.

One video became weekly videos. Weekly videos became a channel. The channel became a community. And that community became a career that supports my family.

That first video changed everything.

For longtime followers, this may be the clearest heart of the whole episode. Secret Yarnery didn’t grow from a grand plan. It grew from helping one student, then helping the next person, and then saying yes one more time.

If her personality were a room, it would be bright, colorful, and a little messy

By the time question 14 comes around, the answers get even more playful. If my personality were a room, it would look a lot like the space around me already: bright, colorful, fun, and joyous. It would not be perfect, though. There would still be some mess and some rough edges, which honestly makes the picture better.

Then the vision expands.

My dream room would also include a kitchen area, a snack bar, a wine fridge, and, in one of my favorite details, a nacho cheese tap. It’s funny, vivid, and very easy to picture. A crochet room with snacks, yarn, color, and comfort sounds like a place I would happily stay all day.

Bright colorful crochet craft room interior with scattered yarn balls in baskets, hooks on wooden table, unfinished projects on chair, yarn shelves, and playful snack bar with nacho cheese dispenser and mini wine fridge.

The final question asks what vibe my life theme song would have right now. Instead of describing it, I share a rap called A Hooker’s Got a Hook, made by a musician friend. The song leans into crochet humor and over-the-top fun, which makes it a perfect ending for the episode.

A few lines sum up the mood:

"A hooker's got a hook..."
"Talking about crochet..."
"Crochet and creation..."

The backstory makes it even better. My kids are into rap, and I joked that I could rap too. That joke turned into a song, and now it’s part of the fun. It says a lot about the tone of the whole episode. Nothing here is stiff. It’s personal, playful, and willing to laugh.

The tag challenge and the creators she called out

This wasn’t just a get-to-know-me episode. It’s also a challenge for our community. I invite you to answer the same 15 Non Yarny Questions in the comments or in your own videos. If you’re a creator, the tag is open, and the idea is to pass it on by tagging five more people.

I also named a few creators directly:

• Jill from Gum Leaf Crochet
• Chloe from Beoga Croi
  
• Joshua Burggos from Threaded Collective
• Lady Samoan, the Lady of Crochet

That community-first spirit runs through the whole episode. I also want to thank my channel members for helping support more videos—it truly means so much to me.

If you want to keep up with the channel, you can subscribe to Secret Yarnery [https://bit.ly/3VvXdCd], join channel membership [https://bit.ly/44UC1bH], grab the free crochet cheat sheet [https://bit.ly/3IP6z7D], or browse the left-handed tutorial playlist [https://bit.ly/3UWNmoJ].

For me, that blend of patterns, personality, and community is what makes the channel work so well. You might come for the stitches, but I hope you stay because it feels welcoming.

A Crochet Podcast episode that makes the channel feel more personal

These 15 Non Yarny Questions do exactly what I hoped they would do. They pull back the curtain a bit and show the person behind my crochet tutorials, my bright yarn room, and the steady stream of patterns.

Along the way, they reveal that I’m a fixer, a teacher, a color lover, a proud parent, and someone who genuinely values the people learning beside me.

That’s what makes this Crochet Podcast episode 185 so enjoyable for me. It isn’t only about answers. It’s about the personality behind the hook.

And once you’ve heard these stories, I hope Secret Yarnery feels even more like a community, not just a channel.

FAQs

What is my Secret Yarnery Non Yarny Questions podcast episode 185 about?
This Crochet Podcast Episode 185 is a fun, personal Q&A where I answer 15 non yarny questions. Instead of focusing on stitches and patterns, I share my memories, habits, family moments, and the personal stories behind my crochet channel.

Why is this episode different from my other Secret Yarnery videos?
Most of my videos focus on crochet tutorials, patterns, and tips. This one feels much more personal. It’s a chance for you to get to know my personality, my daily life, and the experiences that helped shape my channel.

What kind of questions do I answer in this episode?
I answer questions about my first concert, my childhood dream job, my quirky collections, pet peeves, personality traits, works in progress, my favorite parts of the day, and the big “yes” moments that changed my life.

What is my quirky collection?
One of my most memorable answers is that I collect storage bins! I talk about bringing my Rubbermaid bins from Canada to Africa and why smart yarn storage still makes me so happy today.

What personality trait have I always had?
I describe myself as a fixer. I like solving problems, adjusting things that aren’t working, and finding ways to make projects, spaces, and ideas better.

What means the most to me as a crochet teacher?
One of the most meaningful moments for me was hearing that someone learned to crochet from me. That simple comment meant everything because it showed that what I shared truly helped someone.

How did Secret Yarnery begin?
Secret Yarnery started in a very simple and personal way. I began by teaching crochet in person, and later I uploaded a YouTube video to help one student continue at home. That one small video grew into the channel and community we have today.

What do I say about unfinished crochet projects?
I admit it—I start new projects before finishing older ones! Like many crocheters, I end up with WIPs and sometimes UFOs because new ideas are just too tempting to ignore.

Does this episode include a community challenge?
Yes! I turned this episode into a tag challenge and invite you (and other creators) to answer the same 15 Non Yarny Questions—either in the comments or in your own videos.

Why should you watch this Crochet Podcast episode 185?
It helps you connect with the person behind Secret Yarnery. If you already enjoy my crochet tutorials, this episode adds personality, humor, and backstory—making everything feel even more welcoming and personal.

Christa Patel is the creator of Secret Yarnery, a crochet channel and blog that helps people learn crochet in a simple, friendly, and encouraging way. She shares easy-to-follow tutorials, crochet patterns, podcast episodes, and practical tips for making beautiful projects with confidence.

Known for her bright style, clear teaching, and love of color, Christa has built a warm crochet community that welcomes beginners and longtime makers alike. Through Secret Yarnery, she inspires crocheters around the world to try new stitches, finish more projects, and enjoy the creative process.

If you want to keep up with Christa’s latest tutorials, patterns, and crochet podcast episodes, visit SecretYarnery.com and the Secret Yarnery YouTube channel.