If I Could, I’d Crochet the Day Away…
Some gorgeous recycled yarn I just bought from Earthen Knit on Etsy. A couple of weeks ago. The yarns are from reclaimed sweaters and are a white cotton called "Snowflake" and some beautiful linen, "Minty Fresh."
As I bask in the beauty of spring, I am reminded of the many things that I love. Among these beautiful memories, ideas, an cherished mementos is my deep love of creating and of all things handmade. As I’ve mentioned several times before, I’ve reconnected with my creative side through an unsuspecting source: Pinterest. I cant’ remember the last time the internet got me so motivated to make! It’s been a wonderful feeling, just wanting to make things with my hands all of the live long day, and as the semester rapidly comes to a close (exams officially begin Friday!) I’m excited to have more and more time to let my creative juices flow as they may.
I’ve also be reconnecting with all of the beauty in the world: beautiful books, animals, colors, flowers, trees, and art created by others. I’m especially captivated these days by the potential that I see in everything around me. Suddenly, a ball of yarn isn’t just a ball of yarn anymore, it’s a beautiful mass of fiber with its own intricacies and openings, just waiting to be explored. And I’ve been doing my best to harness this beautiful energy by creating numerous crocheted creations.
My newest creation: a teddy bear for my sister in law's fetus!
I learned to crochet when I was 6 or 7 from my mother, who had learned the craft when she was also young. We’ve always created things together (she is now a practicing artist with her own art business) and crafted on the nights and weekends when I wasn’t in school. I have many fond memories of making everything from soap to herb flavored vinegars with her in the comfort of our cozy den. She used to buy me brightly colored cotton yarns and would pay me to make long chains to attach to lights at the nursing home where she worked. Those were among my first ever commissions, and since then my art and my crocheting has expanded by leaps and bounds.
Maddie and me on Christmas with the blanket I made her.
My senior year in highschool, I set about making my first large scale project: a crocheted afghan for my dorm room bed. It took me nearly the entire year, going square by square, piece by piece until I finally had a huge beautiful blanket to call my own. More recently, I made a blanket for Maddie’s Christmas gift, and a cotton teddy bear for our unborn neiphew. I’m now working on some crocheted sculptural pieces for an art installation I’m hoping to participate in over the summer. (Hopefully details to follow, so stay tuned!)
As I’ve watched Maddie embark on her path to veganism over the past 6 months, I’ve also had the chance to realign my own values and adjust my buying habits accordingly. I now only purchase vegan yarn from sustainable sources be that second hand or via great vegan and eco-friendly artisans like Earthen Knits on Etsy. I’ve also discovered that I love trading yarn and other supplies with other crafters, crocheters, or knitters. (I recently made a great swap with my manager at the bookstore and Maddie’s sister gave me a whole bag of yarn she’s not using!)
Sigh... just can't get a hold of my own blankets around this one...
There’s something so satisfying about creating something with your own 2 hands, and I hope that this post will inspire you as much as I’ve been inspired these recent days. So tell me: what inspires you to create? What craft would you do everyday if you could?
Bisous, and happy creating! I’m hoping to post some of my own creations in the coming weeks as I continue to be inspired and create!
Rachel
I love this post so much! ♥
Love that mint linen yarn!
Me too! Not sure what to make with it yet but I can’t wait to use it!
Me too! I might actually get half my WIPs done! lol
Yay for vegan yarns! Wool is icky and made me itch anyways. I’m a knitter, but I taught myself how to crochet last year because I wanted to make those cute amigurumi toys that I saw everywhere. I’ve got a growing yarn stash and not enough time to make stuff.
You’re so right! Wool IS icky!! I think that cotton must be my favorite, but it’s so hard to choose because I’m so seriously addicted to the craft right now! Congrats on learning to crochet-it’s probably one of my most favorite past times!
What animals have you made so far??
Cotton is my favorite too for its versatility. So far, I’ve made a little koala and an inch worm with an apple home for him to live it…they both went to my nieces and nephew
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