Confession
There are times when I feel like I don't have a life.
Nothing major, just a sense that there are probably other things I could learn and do. But I don't. The reason? I am flooded with yarn.
Of course, I don't mean that in a literal sense (I think), but I'm not lying when I say that crocheting and knitting take up such a huge part of my life that people probably think I've got a loose screw in my head. It's a real surprise to see others around my age actually involved in this hobby.
I get the usual "It looks fun, but I don't have the patience for it" or "I used to do that when I was a kid". But for the past 3 years, I've never tired of picking up a hook and spending hours working through a project that would eventually turn out to something I'd be endlessly proud of.
There are times when I feel like I don't have a life.
Nothing major, just a sense that there are probably other things I could learn and do. But I don't. The reason? I am flooded with yarn.
Of course, I don't mean that in a literal sense (I think), but I'm not lying when I say that crocheting and knitting take up such a huge part of my life that people probably think I've got a loose screw in my head. It's a real surprise to see others around my age actually involved in this hobby.
I get the usual "It looks fun, but I don't have the patience for it" or "I used to do that when I was a kid". But for the past 3 years, I've never tired of picking up a hook and spending hours working through a project that would eventually turn out to something I'd be endlessly proud of.
The How and the When
I started teaching myself in 7th grade over the summer. It was that portion of the break when someone has had all the fun they could possibly have in the first month; and so starts the phase "bored to death". Going out wasn't an option, since my dad still had to go to work, and my mom was busy doing other things around the house. I was stuck.
I rummaged through the cupboards for something better to do than lie around the house all day, and that's when I came across some yarn and a crochet hook. My mom used to know how to crochet, but only the basics, and even so, I wasn't surprised to find it. After realizing that no one in the house hadn't the slightest intention to deal with my antics, I turned to Youtube.
A month later, I was slipping in and out of stitches with ease.
I started teaching myself in 7th grade over the summer. It was that portion of the break when someone has had all the fun they could possibly have in the first month; and so starts the phase "bored to death". Going out wasn't an option, since my dad still had to go to work, and my mom was busy doing other things around the house. I was stuck.
I rummaged through the cupboards for something better to do than lie around the house all day, and that's when I came across some yarn and a crochet hook. My mom used to know how to crochet, but only the basics, and even so, I wasn't surprised to find it. After realizing that no one in the house hadn't the slightest intention to deal with my antics, I turned to Youtube.
A month later, I was slipping in and out of stitches with ease.
The Why
To be honest, I'm surprised that I've stuck with this hobby for so long and never got bored, but there are a few reasons as to why that might be.
I crochet to satisfy my hunger for creativity.
I'm a very crafty person, so the idea of using the simplest tool to create an infinite amount of shapes, all with varying sizes, colors, textures, etc. really appealed to me.
I crochet to learn new things.
The way I discover and move through things is a little odd. Most people I know will try a bit of everything and be very involved in several different areas. In my case, if I find something that sparks my interest, I become obsessed with that one thing for a while, researching and learning as much as I can about that subject (which is how I discovered crocheting). This goes on until I find something new, and I shift to that instead.
I've gone through painting, calligraphy, drawing, legos, cross-stitching, and tons more. Recently, I've been teaching myself sign language. The great thing about these phases is that as I move on, I keep this brand new skill with me.
I crochet to keep myself happy.
The repetitive motion of the hook smoothly gliding through the stitches is the best therapy in the world, especially when making a large, ongoing project, such as a blanket. It's always great to start a challenging piece with complicated stitches and a unique design, but I love that reassuring feeling of picking up a long-term project. It really helps on days when I've got a lot hanging over my head.
To be honest, I'm surprised that I've stuck with this hobby for so long and never got bored, but there are a few reasons as to why that might be.
I crochet to satisfy my hunger for creativity.
I'm a very crafty person, so the idea of using the simplest tool to create an infinite amount of shapes, all with varying sizes, colors, textures, etc. really appealed to me.
I crochet to learn new things.
The way I discover and move through things is a little odd. Most people I know will try a bit of everything and be very involved in several different areas. In my case, if I find something that sparks my interest, I become obsessed with that one thing for a while, researching and learning as much as I can about that subject (which is how I discovered crocheting). This goes on until I find something new, and I shift to that instead.
I've gone through painting, calligraphy, drawing, legos, cross-stitching, and tons more. Recently, I've been teaching myself sign language. The great thing about these phases is that as I move on, I keep this brand new skill with me.
I crochet to keep myself happy.
The repetitive motion of the hook smoothly gliding through the stitches is the best therapy in the world, especially when making a large, ongoing project, such as a blanket. It's always great to start a challenging piece with complicated stitches and a unique design, but I love that reassuring feeling of picking up a long-term project. It really helps on days when I've got a lot hanging over my head.
The Best Part
Recently, I was able to create an opportunity to use these skills to benefit society. I am attempting to continue the knitting club from last year, which made blankets, scarves, and hats and donated them to the hospital. I've contacted a homeless shelter who is willing to receive our finished items. I am still waiting for Dr. William's approval to put up posters, but it can only grow from there. Students can earn community service hours for the time and effort they put into creating the items. It is still sometimes hard to believe that I can improve the lives of others simply by doing what I do best.
Recently, I was able to create an opportunity to use these skills to benefit society. I am attempting to continue the knitting club from last year, which made blankets, scarves, and hats and donated them to the hospital. I've contacted a homeless shelter who is willing to receive our finished items. I am still waiting for Dr. William's approval to put up posters, but it can only grow from there. Students can earn community service hours for the time and effort they put into creating the items. It is still sometimes hard to believe that I can improve the lives of others simply by doing what I do best.