Our crafts' healing power.

Finally, they're starting to get it...

Apr 19, 2024

INSIDE: the wonderful benefits of practicing your craft, reflections on aging, satisfying shawls + my recent saving grace…

In the Facebook group for the fans of Chat 10 Looks 3, a podcast I regularly listen to, they shared an article by the Australian author Julia Baird.

One “chatter”, the lovely Sarah Lulu Faith, was interviewed for the piece.

The headline gives you an indication of what the article discusses:

“How the steady click of knitting needles and crochet hooks is bringing comfort, mindfulness and healing…”

It’s been a topic covered quite a bit in recent years.

This isn’t new to us, though!

What struck me was Sarah’s attitude to being unwell. She calls it “reduced fabulousness.”

As Julia Baird wrote, when meeting Sarah, “she wears a riot of colours with bright lipstick, has a big open grin, and the air of someone with an innate capacity to see and emit joy.”

I was reminded that we experience life through our own unique ‘lenses’.

Our attitudes towards the difficulties we face often determine how we get through them. In Sarah’s case, her ability to see and emit joy no doubt gave her strength! Also, as she said, crochet had a big part to play in her ‘healing’.

“The repetitive, mindful nature of working the stitches, watching the project grow, however haltingly, kept me largely sane. More than sane, it provided comfort, expression and soothed my bruised soul.”

There have been times in my life when I’ve experienced grief, and when I crafted, I too was soothed.

Once, I went into a craft store and chose a complicated cross stitch design. The store owner said it wasn’t a beginner’s option but I was determined.

I loved the depiction of Teddy Bears sitting on a bookshelf!

There were thousands of tiny stitches in that piece, and with each stitch, I felt the healing power of crafting. It took me many months to complete.

My darling Mum got it framed. It’s such a beautiful piece!

Later in the article, like most write-ups by non-crafters…

The inevitable happened.

As she wrote:

“Funny isn't it, how long we've adhered to the stereotype of knitters as doddery, sweet grandmothers, as though the activity itself was a sign of ageing, dismissed as useless frippery and distraction – not what it actually is, which is useful and mindful.”

Doddery? Frippery? Those words always get under my skin.

Older women are fabulous, and strong in mind and body, but we don’t see enough of them in the media.

Nor is knitting and crochet only something you do when you get ‘old’!

And how can any craft be ‘useless frippery and distraction’?

To me, there’s a considered purpose behind the projects we choose: often functional and aligned with ‘slow fashion’. I revel in my ability to knit garments and accessories, and I experience great joy when I knit gifts for others.

My kids have each got items I’ve made on their beds which brings comfort and warmth: machine-sewn quilts and a crocheted blanket.

It fills my heart with happiness knowing they continue to use these handmade pieces I made more than 16 years ago.

But we already know this!

I’m just glad the media is slowly beginning to recognize it too.

I’m halfway through my Venetia Shawl and I’m really enjoying knitting it.

The diamond lace borders look lovely and will look even better blocked!

Lifelines have been my saving grace while knitting of the Stone Croft Shawl.

Using them has meant when I’ve made a mistake in the lace section, I can rip back to the lifeline and pick up the stitches. So worth the effort!

I love the lace mesh border’s look and the lace ‘braid’, in lieu of the correct term. If you know how to describe it better, let me know! 😊

Nothing to report on my journey into creating my baby blanket design this week. I hope to have something to share with you next Friday.

And another question for you: have you too experienced comfort and healing with your craft pursuits?

Press reply or leave a comment!

Mystery Quote Of The Week

"Knitting is repetitive, rewarding, and calms me down like a warm bath."

Who said this? Comment or press reply! No cheating! 😊

(You’ll find out if you were correct next week.)

Last week’s quote and author was…

"There's great value to knitting or digging up your garden or chopping up vegetables for soup, because you're taking some time away from turning the pages, answering your emails, talking to people on the phone, and you're letting your brain process whatever is stuck up in there."
— Chellie Pingree

Comment below if you got it right.