It's the little things

I can definitely say that crochet is the common factor that links everything together in my world - messy, convoluted, wonderfully stitched together and full in almost equal part.

It's been a tough, grind it out and keep going year, but the highlights have been the threads...the crochet, the colour and the connections.  Crochet has been my 'I can do that' moment, my deep breath in times of complete blankness, and the fun retreat (building a stash has been worth it after all!) when it's gloomy.

I've been back studying after losing my job, so it's been a lean time - then there's been crochet.  I've been able to make bits and pieces for my new niece, along with successful competition items, blankets, bags, beanies and everything in between.  Crochet has had the starring role - no doubt of it!

And that looks set to continue in a calmer environment in 2015.  After literally 'seeing stars' in the lead up to Christmas, I've charged into granny stripes and hexagons, sorted out - as much as possible - the stash, and have a diary just for crochet projects?  Is that weird?  Well, it works for me.  I'm jotting down timetables, ideas, pattern choices and row counts for projects, have a roll of who gets what, including competition and donation items, and am taking action. I'm even starting to use Ravelry properly! Every project that gets started also has a photo taken with the ball band and crochet hook, and I'm checking in with my family members for preferred colours and patterns.

I'm very proud to say that my younger brother - who last received a crochet item from me when he was born in 1982 - has actually put his hand up for a blanket in his favourite sporting team colours, and even charted out the colours he wants, as well as the stitch pattern.  I have been waiting for the opportunity to crochet something for him for a long time!  Even my uncle has been the recipient of a few beanies, and my father proudly uses crocheted coasters and has his own granny stripe blanket for those migraine days.

So - here we go, 4 mm hook (I have four of them lined up, 'just in case') in hand, and project bags at the ready.  One granny stripe coming up!

Where it begins

Sometimes when the world takes over and you're in that special spiral of family, study, work and whatever it is that fills the days, it's good to stop occasionally and think - and breathe.

I remember when I started to crochet.  I remember it well, and I still have my first crochet hook.  My great aunt Beryl gave it to me.

Beryl passed away about eight years ago now, but every time I look at a stash of wool (oh how I love the photo above - my first ever order from Deramores), and especially every time I swoop around the corner on a granny square, I remember her.

Then I recall what I've made, how it squeezed into all the gaps of busy days, or floated along through holidays, and how making time is breathing time.  Making time is breathing time, colour time, connecting time and happiness.  Even when you have to go ten rounds back because you missed a stitch and now everything is out of step, this is a good time.

This is your time.  This is that chance to think about how much a stripy blanket will be loved, whether this beanie will be slouchy enough for your uncle, what colour square should go next, and what's happening on Ravelry.

And this is when I have always felt at my best.  I'm sitting there aged six with a half made coaster, then thirteen frowning through a blanket challenge, and going through my twenties making granny squares and sewing Irish roses on my tops.  I have never stopped making things, and every project has a story and a place in my life.  Even though I may never see the blanket/bag/scarf again, it is part of my story, too.

As the years pass, I'm drifting through the suburbs finding bookshops, funny little antiques stores, and wool shops that make me smile and check my usually coin filled purse and topsy turvy handbag.  These places become landmarks, signposts to projects and presents, ideas and inspiration, supported by the rest of the world as it reaches out and shares in an online connection so much like all those projects and patterns that surely entrench themselves in our DNA.

And who could ever imagine this absolute brilliance in the middle of all their busy days, or when they're little, just starting out with uncertain acrylic and chain stitches?  Who knows what that odd ball of cashmere is going to become, or whether the pattern translated from another language will translate into something beautiful or useful?

This - this minute, this stitch, this strand - this is where it all begins.  And - I love it!