What I've Learned Crocheting

Personally

Over the years I have learned a lot about myself through crocheting. It has opened my eyes to a world of patience I didn't know that I was capable of. I can use creating pieces as an escape, a therapy, and even a calming meditative practice that truly allows me to lock my brain into one thing, tune everything out. Crocheting allows me to be completely mindful and present in the moment, meanwhile there is nothing else in this world that takes me to that place.

I am thankful to have found a hobby, a love, a thing to do that allows me to release such a huge amount of stress, garners a pretty awesome community of other artists and learners that have welcomed me with open arms, and tons of information to continue my craft. I am often shocked, and then super proud of myself when I get to the end of a project and it's turns out exactly how it looked in my head. Like, isn't that bonkers or what, I had this piece of clothing as just an image in my minds eye, and then BOOM! I made it, and then wrote it out, and someone else may create their own thing from the words I freakin wrote! Trips me out every time I think about it.

Professionally

In practice crochet might seem out of reach for some as something to make money. I believe it really has to do with finding the things you love to make most, and doing that in a bunch of different, satisfying ways. This helps keep you motivated and interested in the journey you're on. I know with my neuro-spicy brain, I can have a million tasks going, and still get bored. Keeping things fresh adding different elements, and knowing there is really no limit but my imagination, it's really what drives me to keep crocheting. The adventure of creating and sharing it with others drives my creativity along with the ocean.

Recently as crochet artists we've seen a ton of people trying to get free patterns, by entering into testing groups they never planned to participate in. They only wished to receive a free pattern, and may even try to claim it as their own. This is especially popular with artists from overseas. Our audiences take a long time to cross, so they feel like they can get away with it. This theft has happened to way too many artists and it's disheartening to say the least.

Spiritually

I am closer to myself, and more fulfilled in life since I started to crochet. It has really grounded me, and allowed me to step out of myself and look at myself with love and respect because I am super freakin cool. I only remember that when I create! Following your heart, living true to yourself, and overcoming the desire to please everyone are just a few of the things I've learned from crocheting.

The final and most profound thing in my life that I've learned from crocheting is, that not everthing can be fixed. You can recognize a problem, know in exactly which place the problem occured, even put a in effort to make the problem look a little better. Still, it happened and it cannot be erased. Especially if enough time has passed. So you must keep moving forward, Keep wading through the water, keep adding rows until you get to the end of the project, and realize that a small problem can truly destroy a project, and those that don't agree are crazy!! No, but seriously, it can, but it can also mean absolutely nothing. It can leave it's mark, or it can be forgotten. Both are okay, and you just keep going. (OR 🐸)