Lydia, who can be found on Ravelry, Facebook and Pinterest as @lydiabeat, learned to crochet to help her through the difficulty of an operation. She has been “hooked” ever since.
You learned to crochet in 2011. What can you tell us about that?
It was November 2011. I taught myself with a ball of purple yarn, a #4 crochet hook, and a set of YouTube videos and photo tutorials. I had decided to learn to crochet because I wanted to have something to do while I was in the hospital. I experienced a health trauma that resulted in an operation to remove my kidney. The issue began when I was in a foreign country, and it was during the holidays, and I was feeling really lonely. I was also in a lot of pain. Additionally, I have struggled with a little bit of depression and anxiety since childhood, and I was stressed by the operation. I hoped that learning to crochet would help and it did.
And you stuck with it?
Yes! What began as a pastime and a diversion became a really important part of my life. It is especially helpful during times when I feel stressed, sad or lacking in confidence. I really love how relaxing crochet is. It is amazing the calm it brings; it is like meditating. I kind of go into a trance when crocheting – living in the present, being aware of what I am doing. I know about different paths to meditation and mindfulness, and although I’m not very disciplined with them, I achieve that easily while crocheting.
What have some of your craft milestones been?
In 2013 I finished my first granny squares blanket. In 2016 I made my first poncho!
Does anyone else in your life crochet?
Yes! I taught my boyfriend. And I also taught my best friend, through a quick 20 minute Skype session! Both of them are “hooked”, working on their own projects and learning different techniques.
So do you and your boyfriend crochet together?
We sometimes work on our own individual projects when we are together.
Learn more about Aaron and Lydia from their website.
Do you ever crochet with anyone else?
I have participated in some crochet-knit groups in London, going to bars or parks to craft in the company of others. The experience has always been great when I’ve had the opportunity to do it. I would love to meet similar groups where I live know, but I am in rural Spain and although almost all of the elderly here know the craft, none seem to be interested in meetings.
Does it bother you that you don’t have others to craft with near you?
No. It’s nice to craft in community, but I get the benefits of crafting either way. I enjoy doing it alone at home, too! I’ll watch TV or listen to music while I’m crafting. Sometimes I watch YouTube videos about new techniques while I work. And occasionally I’ll play slow paced strategy video games, such as Prison Architect, Godus, SimCity or Banished, while also crocheting. Also, I usually carry a crochet project in my purse so that I can crochet while I’m out – waiting in lines or on public transport.
What kind of projects do you like to work on?
It depends on my state of mind. If I am quite “at the edge” or anxious, I like small, soothing projects like amigurumi. If I am sad, I tend to like longer projects, where I can spend time calculating and planning the outcome and then working towards that goal. I love the joy of finishing an item – the sense of purpose and self-value it gives!
Do you keep the things that you make?
I prefer to make projects for others. I love giving handmade gifts to friends and relatives. I believe it is because the item has a bigger purpose than itself; it is a way for me to community with others, to reach and touch them, to express myself and share my feelings for the person in a tangible way.
Is crochet your only craft?
I knit, too, and it has the same benefits as crochet for me, although knitting tends to be more difficult for me so it’s not as soothing most of the time. I am learning machine sewing, but the drawback is that it can be expensive. I bought a doll’s house to build form scratch, and that was very satisfying, but it can also be expensive. Crochet is the most straightforward and rewarding craft for me.
What else do you do to heal / stay well?
I believe that cycling is amazing for healing (depending on what issue you have, of course), because it gives you a feeling of freedom while also exercising the body. Skating is the same way. But the main thing comparable to crochet in terms of the benefits would be agriculture.
Do you have any special stories related to crochet?
Yes, there was a wonderful old Indian lady that I met when I was in London. She could barely move her hands because of arthritis, but she crocheted every single day. She worked on baby blankets. She was running her own laundry business, taking care of her family, and without crochet she would have completely lost the ability to move her hands. It was a form of physical therapy that kept her hands flexible enough to work.
Wow! What would you say is the number one reason you crochet?
It makes me feel useful, releases my creativity and soothes my soul!
