Randi is a knitter and crochet who has found yarn crafting to be immensely helpful to her. She lives with difficult mental health conditions that limit her in some ways and crafting has broadened her experience and given her purpose. She shares her crochet story in this interview. Visit @Randib82 on Instagram.
What is your basic story of how crochet has healed you or improved your quality of life?
I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 2, major depression disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. It is because of the anxiety that I am no longer able to work. I live with my family and I rarely leave the house without a family member with me. I am no longer able to even go to church anymore. I usually only leave the house to go the doctor. The number one way crocheting helps my anxiety is that it helps distract my mind and it helps me occupy my time.
When did you learn to crochet?
I first learned to crochet as a young child. My mom taught me a few basic stitches and the only thing that I could really make was toilet paper cozies. I gave it up pretty quickly, but when I found myself unable to work I picked it up again. I bought a hook, a ball of yarn, and a book and taught myself the basics. Then I discovered that crocheting is all over the Internet and YouTube and kept learning more. I’m still learning!
Have you ever taught anyone else to crochet?
I started teaching my friend to crochet, but she didn’t really have the patience for it and she gave up on it pretty quick.
Where are you most likely to crochet?
I have one little area of our living room taken over. I call it my crafting corner. I have my comfy chair, a plastic 4-drawer organizer on wheels, and a side table covered with yarn, hooks, tools, and accessories. I always have the TV on. Even if I am not watching it, I have it on just for background noise. For me, complete silence grates on my nerves and can make me anxious.
Do you know other crafters?
I am not part of a crafting group. Even if I was able to get out more, I live in a very rural area and there are not a lot of opportunities for things like that. I am part of an online crochet community. I check in there at least once a day to talk to other crocheters. It’s fun to meet others and to talk, get tips, help, or vent.
Are your loved ones supportive of your crafting?
All of my friends and family support my crochet. Since I’m not working, my parents have to feed my yarn habit. It’s great that they are generous and keep me well supplied. All my other friends and family are supported too. Everyone always seems impressed by what I make and that makes me feel good. And of course feeling good is very beneficial to the healing process.
What types of crochet projects do you find most healing and why?
I do enjoy both easy repetitive patterns and more complex patterns. It can be very soothing when you’re working the same stitch over and over. The complicated patterns are usually fun to work and help distract my mind. If something is too complicated I either get help online or from my online community. But if I get too frustrated I just put it down and try it later or just go on to another pattern. I’m doing this for me and if it’s not fun, why do it? If I’m working a more repetitive pattern and find I’m needing more distraction to keep my anxiety down then I switch and work on another project for a while or I will watch a good movie or TV show while I work.
Who do you typically crochet for?
I rarely crochet things for me to keep because I can never think of anything I need. I usually crochet for friends and family. If I don’t have anyone requesting anything then I crochet hats to donate to chemo patients. I definitely think it’s more healing to crochet for the chemo patients because they are so appreciative and it makes me feel good to do that work. After I had to quit my job, I lost my sense of purpose. I guess I feel like when you are working at something, providing a service, you are fulfilling a purpose. Making hats that people want and need helps me feel like I have a purpose again.
Do you do any other crafts besides crochet? If so, which ones and do they offer the same benefits?
I recently took up knitting and it’s as beneficial as crocheting. I switch out between knitting and crocheting. Some things just feel better suited for knitting and some for crochet. Before I started crocheting I did counted cross stitch. It did help occupy my mind, but then after I finished a project, it just got stuffed in a drawer; the items didn’t have a purpose so it didn’t feel as valuable to do that.
Finish the sentence: “The number one reason that I crochet is ….” …..to occupy my mind and give me a purpose.
What is one more thing that you would like to share?
Some people might not think crochet heals because I’m still not able to work or get out and about and do a lot. But there was a time that I couldn’t even stand to be home alone. I felt like I was in a constant panic attack that never ended. I could barely eat and spent most of the time crying or sleeping. I had to be hospitalized because it was so severe. I used to worry about that happening again. And sometime I would start to feel like I was heading back towards that. But now crocheting helps keep the anxiety at bay. I feel like it really helps me.
