Three Things I Love

I may not be the most knowledgable person on these three things, but I am passionately interested in all of them.

Crochet, Math, and Healthy Crafting

Everyday I am thrilled to discover there is more to learn and explore in each of these subjects.  Very likely I will spend the rest of my life happily doing just that.

In the world of Crochet I am growing as a designer.  Yet there are still stitches and techniques I’ve not mastered. In fact, there are many I haven’t even tried— Hairpin Lace comes quickly to mind.

That’s why I enjoy going to conferences like the Knit and Crochet Show in New Hampshire this July (AKA Chain Link). It is great fun taking classes and talking with other crocheters.  I am so inspired by seeing the work of others and learning new techniques and approaches to crochet.

In the world of Math I am a dilettante.  I haven’t any mathematical degrees or other honors attached to my name.  I just love exploring math theory, especially quantum physics and applicable geometries.  I am not a human calculator; in fact it is shameful that I often have to grab the calculator to do fairly simple equations.

Much of my passion for math and geometry has been revived by my work as a crochet designer.  I use math for figuring yardage requirements, shaping and garment sizing almost every day.  Geometry is also often a source of inspiration for me in creating designs.  A prime example of this is my “Lace with a Twist” wrap, which is a mobius.

In the world of Healthy Crafting I love to discover ways to maintain the health of my hands and body and then to  share that information with my fellow crafters and artists.

Ever since I took my basic anatomy and physiology classes in massage school I have been fascinated with how the human body functions and malfunctions.  During my time in school I found myself thinking that someone needed to translate the technical information so that everyone could understand simple and effective ways to maximize personal  health.  I retired from massage therapy this Spring with the goal being to concentrate further on this mission.

My career as a massage therapist enforced the value of taking good care of my body and particularly my hands.  My hands are still important tools in my work as without them typing and crocheting would be difficult.  Working with yarn and at the computer can challenge the  strength and endurance of anyone’s hands.

One could say that some of my expertise in healthy crafting has come about thru my own pain.  I’ve frequently overworked my hands while crafting.  Then halfway thru my pregnancy with my oldest child I started developing carpal tunnel symptoms.  I had to modify my lifestyle fairly severely and that included advice from my doctor that I would have to stop crocheting.

I did take a sabbatical from my massage work, but there was no way I was giving up my crochet (!!).  The solutions I came up with during that time are the foundation that I am building on now.  Writing and teaching on these methods is a passion, because I know how much richer my life is having crochet in it…and I want to help other’s avoid losing crochet (or knitting) from their own lives.

I have been writing articles on healthy crafting for the online quarterly magazine “Crochet Uncut” for a year now, and hope to one day publish a book.  You can find links to my articles here.

Tomorrow evening I will be talking with Mary Beth Temple on her Getting Loopy Podcast about Healthy Crafting, so come have a listen.  If you miss the show you can always download it later.