A Yarn About Crocheting

I remember as a child watching my grandmother crochet. And I remember sleeping under the soft afghans that she so lovingly made by her hands. My grandmother only had a 5th grade education, but she more than made up for it in her knowledge of cooking and sewing, and particularly the beautiful blankets she made.

When I married, my grandmother made a giant multi-colored afghan for us that is still our favorite. When my children were born, she made a baby soft afghan for each of them. She did the same for my sister’s kids. She wanted everyone in the family to have one of her special blankets made with love.

My grandmother showed me simple stitches when I was young, but I never took the time to really learn. I always wanted to know how to crochet, but raising 3 children and work commitments never allowed me the luxury of time. Then came Fibromyalgia.

My Fibromyalgia eventually forced me to quit working. My life changed. Suddenly I had time on my hands and I needed to find some activities to keep my mind occupied. That’s when I remembered my grandmother again. Unfortunately, now that I actually had time to learn the art of crocheting, my dear grandmother was in a nursing home 1,000 miles away. I would have to teach myself.

I vaguely remembered some things she had taught me, so I went out and bought some yarn and a book on crocheting. After reading the instructional book, I decided to make a scarf. I think I took the stitches out at least 10 times before I felt like it was right! But I kept working at it, and in the end I made a pretty good scarf.

My sister-in-law was pregnant so I decided my next project would be a baby afghan. Again, it took me longer than it should have, but I finished it. And more importantly, she loved it! My confidence grew, and I proceeded to make another baby blanket for a friend. I made a few more scarves and even made sweaters for two of my dogs. I finally felt that I was ready to move on to a bigger, more ambitious project.

With my oldest child leaving for college in less than a year, I decided to make him an afghan to take with him. He helped me pick out the yarn and I got started. I swear I took it apart 20 times before I was happy with it, but I finished it! I was so proud and he loved it. I then began to make one for each of my other children, also using yarn that they picked. Involving the intended recipient in yarn selection ensures that they’ll like the colors of the finished project. Now I am almost done with the 3rd one and am anxious to start an afghan for my husband and me.

When I began crocheting I thought it would be something to occupy my time. But now, I feel it’s become a passion. I want to crochet every day but it’s not always easy. My Fibromyalgia attacks my wrists and hands so there are days that I just can’t. And some days, by the evening, I can barely use my hands because I’ve crocheted all day. But I can’t wait until the next day to get started again on my projects.

When my grandmother was a girl, blankets were made out of necessity, but she continued to make them out of love. I feel the same way. I want to make everyone I love a blanket or scarf. It fulfills something in me that Fibromyalgia was trying to take away– my ability to do something for others.

Isn’t it ironic that the very thing that gave me the time to learn this craft – fibromyalgia – is the very thing that causes me so much pain that I can’t do it sometimes? Fibromyalgia makes it more of a challenge, and when I finish a project I really feel that I’ve accomplished something.

For many people, life with a chronic illness can be lonely, gloomy, and unfulfilling. Loss of employment does not have to mean loss of achievement. What do you love? Cooking? Sewing? Woodcrafts? Whatever it is, don’t let Fibromyalgia steal it from you. Take up a forgotten talent or learn something new. And pass it on.

Creating something beautiful can bring you such joy and can take your mind off your troubles. It’s so easy for us to become so wrapped up in our pain that we can’t see anything else. For me, crocheting allows me to be creative, feel productive, and show others how much they mean to me.

We must not let these old arts die away. I’m now teaching my daughter to crochet. Perhaps, one day, she will remember these precious moments as fondly and lovingly as I remember sharing those same moments with my grandmother.

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About the Author:
Caroline Worth is a regular contributor to Fog Magazine. In addition to her writing and crocheting, Caroline is a devoted mother to three beautiful children.