by Alison | Crochet as Therapy
Repetitive Actions
We find solace in repetitive actions.
We learn this early on. As children we love having the same book read to us because knowing the end of the story makes it not so scary.
As we get older we build ritual into our lives by going to work the same route, doing the same things on each day and ordering the same food in restaurants that we tend to choose.
There is safety in repetitive actions. Simple.
That’s why you favor one restaurant over another or one fast food chain over the one next door. You know that the no 3 burger and fries is what you like and it is the same in restaurants across the country and even in other continents.
I can order a grande latte at Starbucks in Vancouver and place the exact same order at Heathrow airport and I will get the same drink, which I like.
The unknown is scary on a basic level.
Therefore the known is safe.
Crochet has simple stitches and when you have grasped a pattern you can repeat, not only the pattern many times, but the actual square in granny squares for instance.
Deciding whether to do a square in pink or blue is the extent of the unknown about crochet. Because it is known to us before we start it makes crochet soothing.
Crochet is soothing because it is repetitive.
We know what will happen when we stick to a pattern and we know the end result.
And we want the same result for the first square to the two hundredth square.
Doing something over and over again is good to soothe frazzled nerves and, after a tough day at work, it is relaxing.
It seems like work but without the dangers of work.
At work you never know what will happen. You don’t know whether or not you can a balance the cash drawer, or if your boss will yell at you, or if a colleague does not pitch up for their shift and this makes extra workload for you.
Maybe your coworkers are a pain or needy and clingy. Either way working for others is stressful.
by Alison | Crochet Basics
Triangle shawls
To my mind a shawl is a triangle with three sides.
A wrap is an oblong with four sides where two are long and two are short.
So all my shawls are triangles and all my wraps are rectangl
es.
This purple shawl (note the triangle) in the image is available on my Etsy shop Old English Creations.
I invite you to stop by and have a look.
by Alison | Crochet as Therapy
What is crochet?
Let’s break it down letter by letter.
C – R – O – C – H – E – T
C is for Creative
If it is anything crochet is creative. It is not like knitting where machines can do it. Crochet is always done by hand and usually there is only one stitch on the hook at a time.
R is for Release
When crocheting the release come from the letting go of stress by the rhythmic hooking of the garment. . To think that crochet is just making stuff is incorrect and you will miss one of the greatest benefits of crochet to assume so.
O is for Original
Every piece is an original. Yes you may make more than one hat but each hat will be an original pei e of art as the crafter making it will impart something of there essence into the item. Many crochet gets will adapt a pattern to suit themselves and this makes each insinuate and original. There is no cookie cutter crochet.
C is for Colour
Clearly color plays a big part in crochet. The simple to the intricate an bring different feels to the moods of the it’s through the use of color whether bristly or pastel shades are used the individual color. Ok inactions of each crafter will show in the finished item. .
H is for Heavenly
Heavenly may not be the first word you relate to crocheting it those who do it a lot will agree. That there is something almost spiritual in the. Reaction of an item where your thoughts and even prayers will become part of the item. If you listen to music whilst crocheting you can remember the th elated when you look and admire the finished work.
E is for Enjoyment
You have to enjoy crocheting to get the most from the craft. Choosing the yarn, pattern and colors and the message in your piece is all part of the enjoyment of crocheting. Some people. Do get e dry day as testament to their love of crochet.
T is for Tension
All crocheted items have tension in the stitches. If you hold the yarn too tight the item will be strangled. If you holds the yarn too loose the item will have no shape. Tension when perfect results in a beautiful creation. Every crocheted will make a tension square before they begin every item to check their tension. Of course there is another type of tension as well the tension you may have because your life is being challenging this type of tension can be expressed through the beauty of crocheting.
by Alison | Crochet Stories
by Alison Stapleton
There is so much to say, where to start? It’s the 1st of March 2015 and day one for this website.
Welcome to Old English Creations where you will find creative crochet designs.
My philosophy is that you don’t have to know everything to enjoy crochet and that even knowing a few simple stitches is satisfying.
I have ideas for many projects and they change as the year develops.
There will be my thoughts on:
- Squares, motifs and grannies – call them what you will.
- Afghans
- Baby blankies – a favourite
- Prayer shawls
- Big projects
- Little projects
- Yarns about, well, yarns
- Teach you child to crochet – The lost art
- Crochet as therapy
- One stitch wonders – how crochet beats knitting any day!
The possibilities are endless.
Join me.
Alison