Teaching Crochet with Heart – Karamy Haupt’s Journey from Maker to Mentor!
At the American Crochet Association, we love spotlighting the incredible individuals who are helping crochet thrive in their communities—and Karamy Haupt is one of them.
Karamy is a library technical assistant, a mother of twins, and a passionate crocheter from Crystal Lake, Illinois.
With over 15 years of experience and a heart for teaching, she’s creating meaningful learning experiences for others while building strong community connections through yarn.
Table of contents
- Karamy’s Crochet Journey Started with Stress Relief
- Turning Crochet Passion Into Purpose
- Finding the Right Tools to Teach Crochet
- Why Teaching Crochet Matters
- A Thriving Yarn and Crochet Community
- The Future of Crochet Education
- Final Words of Crochet Wisdom
- Watch Karamy’s Interview
- View All Crochet Classes
Karamy’s Crochet Journey Started with Stress Relief
Karamy first picked up a crochet hook in college as a way to relax and unwind.
Since then, she’s made a variety of projects, from cozy hats to whimsical amigurumi, and rediscovered her love for crochet during more stressful times.
Like so many of us, crochet became a tool for both creativity and comfort.
Turning Crochet Passion Into Purpose
Today, Karamy teaches beginner crochet classes at her local library.
With the help of a colleague, she launched a multi-age program for makers of all skill levels.
But teaching crochet wasn’t easy at first.
“I felt like I was failing,” she said, describing the challenge of breaking down crochet for complete beginners—especially in a group setting with mixed abilities.
That’s when Karamy found the American Crochet Association.
Finding the Right Tools to Teach Crochet
After searching for resources that could help her become a better instructor, Karamy enrolled in the ACA’s teaching program.
What she found was exactly what she needed: clear, step-by-step instructions, printable worksheets, short video clips, and structured lessons that helped her guide students through each new stitch and skill with confidence.
The impact was immediate.
Karamy said she now sees her students having those lightbulb moments—when everything clicks—and that teaching is now a joyful, fulfilling part of her life.
Why Teaching Crochet Matters
Karamy believes in teaching slowly and intentionally, giving students time to build muscle memory and truly grasp the basics before moving forward.
She’s a strong advocate for accessible education and believes everyone can learn to crochet with the right support.
She also notes that teaching crochet goes beyond the craft itself—it’s a way to build relationships, encourage creativity, and support mental health.
A Thriving Yarn and Crochet Community
Karamy’s love for yarn doesn’t stop at the classroom.
She’s led a library yarn bombing project, started a crochet hangout group, and donates handmade hats to programs like Coats for Kids.
She describes the yarn community as caring and supportive—and she’s a big part of making it that way.
The Future of Crochet Education
When asked what the crochet world needs most, Karamy suggested more accessible online community spaces—especially ones that aren’t limited to social media platforms like Facebook.
She praised the ACA’s approach to education, calling it “comprehensive yet manageable,” and hopes more crocheters will be empowered to teach with confidence.
Final Words of Crochet Wisdom
“Start small,” Karamy advised.
“Find your own way of teaching. And never underestimate the joy of passing on this skill to someone else.”
One of her proudest moments?
Receiving a handmade crochet gift from her daughter.
It was a reminder of the generational magic crochet can carry—and the beautiful ripple effect of teaching it to others.
Watch Karamy’s Interview
This crochet instructor community feature is a small transcript taken from this video interview between Karamy Haupt and ACA founder Salena Baca:
View All Crochet Classes
At the ACA, we’re all about making sure crochet keeps growing, thriving, and passing from one generation to the next—even better than we found it.
So if you’re searching for a crochet class that helps you:
- Learn to crochet (or tackle any project you can dream up)
- Sell your crochet creations
- Write and sell your own crochet patterns
- Teach crochet
We can help, and you can start your crochet journey with us today!
With the ACA, you’ll discover a whole new way to learn that’s not just accessible, but genuinely enjoyable and deeply fulfilling.
Want to Teach Crochet?
Would you ever want to become a crochet teacher or mentor?
Join our free online community (or, leave a comment right here) to let us know why or why not!
Peace + Love + Crochet
Salena Baca
