March is National Crochet Month and I’ve been giving some thought to why I love crochet so much?
Is it the enjoyment of the action of crocheting itself? Or is the attraction having a lovely item to wear or use? Do I crochet for it’s own sake or to create an object? Basically it comes down to a question of Process or Product.
For me there is added to the concept of process the allure of designing. Much of my design work is process. Swatching and experimenting with various yarns, hook sizes and stitch patterns just to see what I get. I may have absolutely nothing in mind when I start this process, my only goal is exploration. Often times these experiments add to my knowledge, but that may be the only gain.
Does that make the process a waste of time? Personally I don’t view knowledge or entertainment as a waste, so for me the process stage of design work is very rewarding. As I like to tell my students in the various art and craft classes I’ve taught, “There is no such thing as Failure, there is only Discovery.”
The process of crocheting is one that I have always enjoyed as well.
My return to Crochet as my main hobby came about 12 years ago when I hurt my ankle and was forced to spend a great deal of time off my feet. I found crocheting and it’s rhythm to be very soothing.
I was also re-intrigued with the idea of “weaving” with a hook, using a single tool to create fabrics in a variety of dimensions and shaping. All these years later that fascination is still fresh for me. To suspend expectation and just revel in what comes off my hook.
Maybe this is one of the reason’s I love to play with FreeForm crochet. Gathering up a variety of harmonious colored yarns of various textures and weights and then creating “fragments or scrumbles” is very relaxing to me.
Often I am asked what I am making, or what will those become. Most of the time I have no idea. Seems I may be deeply entrenched in the process side of crochet. Eventually I do make a product with my hours of stitching, but the joy in the process is why I continue to crochet.
If you are curious about FreeForm crochet and have never tried it there is a great CAL/Game going on in the NatCroMo Party group on Ravelry. It’s not too late to give it a try, and it’s a wonderful introduction to freeforming.
Or check out some of the beautiful and inspiring books out there. I recommend, Jenny Dowde, Myra Wood, Prudence Mapstone and Renate Kirkpatrick as great authors to start with.
Mamas2Hands 