We met three hooksters with physical differences who discovered innovative ways to keep on crocheting. They shared their stories – and a few ingenious tips – with us...

Clockwise from left: Chloe Tear’s ongoing granny blanket; Sarah Croft, who is missing the three middle fingers on her left hand, used trial and error to figure out how to crochet; Sarah adapted a mitten pattern to better fit her own hands

Living with a disability can create challenges for crafters, but there are a number of hooksters who are finding ways to make the crochet world more accessible to everybody, regardless of their physical situation. Meet three crafters who got particularly inventive...

CHLOE TEAR

When Chloe lost her sight, she didn’t want to lose her creativity too...

“Four years ago, my sight started to deteriorate, and I’m now registered blind. I was already partially sighted, but it was still unexpected. Now I have tunnel vision and I can see colours and shapes, but not details. The best way to describe my sight is like an unfocused camera.

“I had crocheted prior to losing my sight, but I was more into sewing. I even studied textiles at A Level. Sadly, I’ve encountered people who don’t feel crafting should be a priority for people with a disability. But when you become disabled, you lose access to large parts of society. I didn’t want to lose my hobbies on top of my sight. I still wanted to be able to create things.