― Erika Knight
Crochet is such a wonderful craft! There are so many facets & variations to explore with a hook & some yarn. The creative possibilities are endless
― Margaret Hubert
Women today want to find ways to relax, but have limited time, and crocheting can be a mental health vitamin that provides that feel good place.
― Alyson Bell
Crochet is not a hobby. It's a post-apocalyptic survival skill.
— Unknown
When the hubby and I signed up for Amazon Prime, I started working on an afghan because I thought I’d be spending more time in front of the TV and a crochet project that isn’t too complicated is a great craft for that.
I found an easy pattern – a ripple crochet using the granny stitch – then I found some yarn at Walmart. It was a nice variegated one, and I figured I could alternate it with stripes of matching solid colours. There were only three problems with my plan.
First, I liked the variegated so much that I decided to do the whole afghan in it. Second, I ran out of yarn when I was about twenty inches along, and Walmart didn’t have any more. And third, I wasn’t glued to the TV nearly as much as I thought I’d be.
*sigh*
I was able to get more yarn online, and though it didn’t match 100%, it was good enough for me. And it took a while, but I did, eventually, finish the afghan, which will forever be known as my Amazon afghan.
A few weeks after that, my mother-in-law’s birthday was coming up. She was in a nursing home and I thought she might like a nice blanket for her bed, so I decided to crochet her one using the same pattern as my Amazon afghan. I checked my stash, and found two packages of yarn – 10 balls of 50 ounces each – one in a cream colour, and one in peach. This will be forever known as the Peaches and Cream afghan.
I’m not sure what happened to that afghan. It was given to her and from what I understand she liked it, but I have no idea if she ever used it. She passed away last year and I’m pretty sure it didn’t come back from the nursing home. It’s not that I want it back, I have plenty of afghans of my own. So it’s fine if it got left behind for someone else to enjoy, it just would have been nice to know where it went.
When I was recovering from my cancer surgery a few years ago, one of the nicest gifts I received was an afghan my sister in New Brunswick sent me. This was during the pandemic, so I wasn’t allowed visitors, but I could wrap myself up in this afghan and feel the love.
So when a friend was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo chemotherapy, I decided to pay this random act of kindness forward and do an afghan for her. I picked colours I knew she’d like and away I went. It really made me feel good to know it made her feel good.
Then my brother-in-law’s wife was diagnosed with a rather aggressive cancer. Not only did she have to undergo surgery, but radiation and chemotherapy. So once again I got busy with my hook. I chose colours that made me think of her, and actually worked on it a lot during my stitchery meetings.
And a nod must go to the ladies of the Northumberland Hills Stitchery Guild for not letting me end it with the pinky/purple colour I was going to use. Even though it meant I had to leave in the middle of the meeting to go get a different colour. LOL They were right, I was wrong, and I’m very happy with the way it turned out. So was the recipient.
But I have to confess, after four afghans in a row, I was getting a little tired of this pattern. When I finished that last one I figured I’d give crocheting a rest altogether, but it’s still a good project to work on at the stitchery meetings, and it’s easier to do in front of the TV than stitching something.
So I’m probably going to keep on crocheting, but I’m going to find a new pattern. Time for this one to retire.
2 comments:
I've considered starting to crochet. I find I have a "huge" amount of nervous energy when I go to talks and the like. I fiddle on the computer and play games as I watch the television and really do not watch enough of any show. I watch like television like a kid waiting for the good spots. I thought crocheting would be good alternative. Alas, where I live, there isn't much use for afghans. So maybe sewing or less time watching television.
Your afghans are beautiful. I like the idea of sending your love with the afghans to people. I do have a collection of them. I have picked them up at tag sales. I look at all that work and yarn and I have to get them.
Thank you for your kind words Ann!
I find crocheting very relaxing, and I get antsy watching TV without doing anything else at the same time. You really should give it a try - you don't have to do an afghan, you could do little things like baby blankets or stuffed animals to give to your local hospital. :-)
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