I can understand babe's varied "crafty" interests because I pursue the same ones she does.
I've always enjoyed and been interested in sewing and, at a very early age, toiled over my paternal grandmother's treadle machine for hours. Before that I stitched anything and everything by hand. When I was 13 I made my younger cousin 32 outfits for her Barbie doll for Christmas. All without patterns or a sewing machine. I even knitted the doll a royal blue skating outfit complete with an angora "fur" skirt edge.
The only craft that's been taught to me was knitting. That I learned from my maternal grandmother. She used to visit us every winter and always had something to knit. I'd watch her with fascination and couldn't wait to do what she was doing. I asked her but she said she didn't have any extra knitting needles with her. I was 8-years-old and wasn't going to be foiled so I went to the family toy box and plucked a pair of pick-up stiks from the box and took a ball of string from the junk drawer in the kitchen. I picked it up right away and haven't looked back. I've even taught knitting classes several times in the past.
The remaining craft skills I pursue are all self-taught. Among them are crocheting, embroidery (all sorts), tatting (a very, very old craft), quilting, cross stitching, flower arranging (have worked off and on for an area florist), as well as all manner of sewing, including home interior sewing. For many years when I lived in the Washington, DC area, I designed and made wedding gowns. That was a blast, but scary because some of the fabrics I worked with were outrageously expensive imported pieces.
I love playing with thread, yarn, fabric, etc. and can get lost in my own little world when I work on a project. It relaxes me and, in the end, gives me a great feeling of satisfaction. I particularly enjoy creating beautiful things using sequins and beads, but the arthritis in both my hands is limiting my time doing that. I have a head start on a Christmas wall hanging for one of the children. I'd anticipated finishing it for this year, but "Arthur" had other plans.
As for cooking, again self-taught. At age 8 I was thrust into the position where I had to cook for my entire family. My mother wasn't available, my daddy was too busy with his "doctoring" and I was the oldest. I never questioned the situation and simply stood on my little stool and made it work.
I'm always curious and interested in learning something new. Sometimes my curiosity gets me in trouble...but it doesn't stop me. As they say around here, "I'd rather wear out than rust out."