John Mara and Peter Daley weren’t always masters of the hook and yarn.

In fact, four years ago they hadn’t crocheted a stitch. But COVID changed that, as it did for many of us.

Bored on the lounge during lockdown, the married couple from Forest Lodge turned to YouTube, hit play, and discovered talents they never knew they had.

“We were watching TV and said, ‘There has to be more to life than this,’” Peter said. “I’d always wanted to try crochet, so we gave it a go.”

Their go-to channel? TL Yarn Crafts, where American fibre artist Toni Lipsey teaches everything from beginner stitches to advanced Tunisian techniques. “She’s fast, clear, and has the best tutorials,” said John. “We even bought her book.”

What started as a pandemic project has grown into a colourful passion.

John now specialises in Tunisian crochet, a technique that uses a long hook with a cord extension, ideal for large pieces like blankets.

“It looks like knitting, but it’s crochet,” he explained, showing off a black and white chevron throw that took three months to finish.

Peter prefers traditional crochet, favouring baby blankets, granny squares, and the occasional crocheted toilet roll cover. “It’s the kind of thing your great-grandmother would be proud of,” he laughed.

But yarn is just the beginning. John also makes resin jewellery using rose crystals, resin brooches, and even a resin Christmas tree.

He decorates the house every year, crochets costumes, and takes his projects on the train, to medical appointments, and anywhere there’s good light.

“I’ve had young boys stop and tell me it looks amazing,” he said. “It’s always a conversation starter.”

The couple were special guests at Gerringong Library and Museum for Worldwide Knit in Public Day, invited to showcase their skills and remind everyone that creativity has no gender.

They brought books, blankets, jewellery and joy, drawing curious onlookers and plenty of admiration.

From personal projects to planned donations for nursing home residents, their craft is as generous as it is joyful. COVID taught us a lot, including how to sit still long enough to discover something new.

For John and Peter, that something was crochet. And they’ve been hooked ever since.