Lori Christensen crochets to help her through the difficulty of living with chronic pain. In this interview, she tells us more about what she’s going through and how crochet helps her cope.
Hi Lori, thanks for doing this interview. Can we start off by talking a little bit about your condition?
I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my back several years ago. It comes with flare-ups of pain. It has caused me to often be unable to do many of the things that daily life requires of us – cooking, cleaning, working. I am only in my early fifties, and yet I have had to retire from working because of the condition.
How is crochet helping you?
I quickly learned that crocheting or knitting during the flare-ups would take my mind off of the pain. It has been a wonderful diversion when I so desperately needed one! Crochet also allows me to feel productive even though I can’t do many of those daily activities. It is important to keep my mind active and there is nothing more engaging to me than a new pattern and wonderful yarn. Crochet gives me a great outlet for my creativity, providing an opportunity for continuing to learn new things while making items for others.
Did you learn to crochet only after you began experiencing pain?
No, I had learned to crochet when I was young. My paternal grandmother taught me when I was eight or nine years old. I have very fond memories of her and her gnarled arthritic hands patiently teaching me to make a rug from some scratchy green yarn. She, too, found crochet to be therapeutic. She loved making those rugs; everyone in our family had them in their homes. She crocheted late into life, until she had a stroke; she told me she missed it very much when she couldn’t do it anymore.
You enjoy both knitting and crochet right? Did your grandmother also teach you to knit?
Actually my other (maternal) grandmother taught me to knit when I was around the same age as when I learned crochet. I really appreciate the time and patience that each of these loving women took to pass these great skills on to me.
It’s so important isn’t it? Have you had the opportunity to pass these skills on to anyone else?
I taught a friend of mine to crochet. She wanted to make a frog toy for a new nephew of hers. It was such a cute little thing!
Do you and your friend crochet together?
Sometimes. I occasionally meet a friend at a coffee house to crochet together. Usually I crochet at home while I’m watching TV, but I also take my crochet with me to appointments and on long car rides (as a passenger).
How does your husband feel about your crafting?
He is a huge supporter of my yarn obsession! He never bats an eye when I order a tidal wave of yarn online or come with from a yarn store expedition with three large bags in tow. He always oohs and aahs at the finished product.
It’s so great to have that support!
Yes, I have had friends and even occasional strangers say, “you made that?!” It always feels good to get that affirmation. I have even had people request that I make items for them to gift to others. I love that!
Do you prefer to crochet for others?
I like crocheting for others but also do make things for myself. My very favorite is to make things for babies! It makes me happy to know that someone’s little one is snuggled up in one of my blankets or that their tiny head is kept warm by one of my hats. (Plus, babies never complain about the colors I’ve chosen!)
But when I’m trying something new or complicated, then I usually crochet for myself. That way if it comes out wonky it doesn’t matter. After spending all that time making something I’m attached to it anyway.
What types of projects do you enjoy working on?
I like both repetitive and more complicated projects for different reasons. I like to have a repetitive crochet project going because it offers a calming, “no minded” aspect. I also love digging into a complicated pattern so that I can learn something new and to really focus, which is what keeps my mind off of pain. The diversion of the craft, combined with the feeling that I’ve accomplished something, really helps me feel calm. Suffice to say, I usually have at least two projects going at once, so that I can satisfy whatever need I have at the time or whatever suits my mood.
And do you usually have a knitting project going as well?
Yes, often. Knitting and crocheting are both soothing for me. I almost always use a pattern and can enjoy the repetition of the crafts. I also needle felt and do paper crafting but I can’t spend a lot of time hunching over a desk so I don’t do those as often.
What else do you enjoy doing besides crafting?
I exercise, spend time with my husband and friends and hang out with my dog.
What would you say is the number one reason that you crochet?
To prove that beauty can come out of pain and to remind myself that “this (pain) too, shall pass”! I think I need a tattoo that says that!
