Patterns vs. Freeform

As a newbie to the world of crochet, I acknowledge there is a lot to learn. I've found that with basic knowledge, a lot of practice and even more patience -- even newbies can be creatively fulfilled. However, that same creativity encounters the frusration of not knowing HOW to translate our ideas into a tangible thing. ...enter Patterns.

My favorite way to crochet is to let the yarn "tell" me what it wants to ne... versus me buying yarn with something specific in mind. Actually, the planning and then buying method usually ends up in unfinished projects and more than a little disappointment. Add to that, I have a passion for vintage, discontinued and recycled/repurposed fibers... which, by nature are only available in very limited lots.

So what's a girl to do? Improvise & meld the two worlds! There are literally thousands & thousands if free patterns available online... perfect for gleaning ideas, learning new techniques and troubleshooting tricky areas. I find patterns that speak to me, print & organize them in a series of binders & then start scribbling notes in the margins. A little yellow, spiral notebook hold my jotted down experiments and measurements and comments. Eventually -- I end up with something that satisfies my not so-inner Yarn Diva's creativity and leaves me with a usable finished product.

Like many of my kind - I have a bazillion projects going at any given time... those pefect for the ride to work in the morning, those simple enough to pick up & work during a lunch break, those
more complex and that rarely leave my side at night during primetime tv and or movie night. Right
now.. I have a hat, a purse, a scarf, a pair of socks, a supersize afghan and a sweater going.Some might say working on so many things at once is counter-productive... but to me, it lessens boredom and burnout on the bigger items, and provides quick and frequent gratification when I complete one of my many smaller projects.

So -- patterns or freeform? I say both! Why reinvent the wheel, when you can use that same creative juju to create something one of a kind using the tried & true techniques of those who've gone before me.

Adventures in Self Expression

My name is Doni & I'm a crochet junkie, a yarn whore... a happy hooker.

This is a relatively new obsession; I taught myself the basics about 5 months ago, from a book. Yea - a real paper & ink, lick your fingers to turn the pages book. Both of my grandmothers crocheted. I have very fond memories of G'ma Betty always working on one project or another -- she was always busy with something. She offered many times, but I never took her up on it... my loss. Had I known then, what I know now... and all that...

So now that I am well & truly... dare I say it... hooked *snicker*giggle*... I understand.

It's not (always) about keeping busy. It's not (always) about creating something useful or cute or warm or whatever. It's not about having a hobby.

It's a form of practical meditation. Counting stitches, the rhytmic twitch of the hook and the caress of the fiber through my fingers... my heart rate slows, I become calmer & communicate more clearly. I'm a better passenger (my husband will thankfully attest to this fact). I find time to slow down, unplug, and reconnect with myself several times a day -- even if for only 15 minutes at a time.

I am creating lovely things... for myself & others. I look for reasons where someone might benefit from my love of yarn... there's a baby girl coming soon & I've been pouring over patterns & ideas for something special. I've had interest expressed in my freeform items& will soon be posting hem to my Etsy... hoping someone else likes them as much as I do... so I can further feed my appetite for vintage, exotic & rare and handspun fibers.

Crochet has become a favorite creative outlet and the savior of my sanity in these lean, angry times. Crochet is my meditation. Thankfully, it's much easier on my knees than a full-lotus.