There was a time, long ago, when crocheting was just a hobby. It was just something to do to pass the time. I had a skein or two of yarn lying around that I would find time, every now and then, to blend into my project. I even remember a time when I used yarn for other crafts. If i needed string, it all came out of the yarn pool. I was foolish, I admit.
Now, all of my yarn is rightfully used for yarn things! Crochet is at the forefront of my crafting activity. If I need some average string, I'm liable to ask a neighbor for it before I consider delving into the valuable pile of scraps that I may need for that Amigurumi bunny's nose or for the handle to that crocheted basket. It's admitedly, an obsession. My "to do" project list is a mile long. It ran off of the two sheets of paper I was using and is now expanded on a bulletin board filled with yellow sticky notes.
Recently, I started learning how to knit. I know, I know, my allegience is waning. Pretty soon I'll be cut off from the whole yarn craft community! But really, knitting isn't so bad. For years I've been a solely crochet advocate, but now, I feel like we need to band together and bridge the gap between needle art. No more stereotypes! Ok, I realize this is getting sort of out of hand... moving on...
Now, to the heart of the issue. Not only did I realize that crochet was something I thoroughly enjoyed, but over time it became more and more necessary for me. As one gets older, one adopts more responsibility and has less time for fun things. (Epiphany... for sure...) Crochet for me, was one of those "fun" things that I saw slipping away. I slowed down to only making enough handmade gifts for Christmas. Otherwise, my crochet hooks laid dormant and abandoned. What about growing up took me away from this fiber winding productivity? Answer: college. As I state in my profile, I'm a musician. I went to school for music, and as any classically trained musician will tell you, it is a RIDICULOUS amount of work. It isn't just the work, but also the judgement, the expectations, the competition, the physical demands... like I said, ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, I'm really passionate about music. The whole college sitch just wasn't what I expected. I had this idealized dream that college was going to be me, playing my flute all day in ensemble after ensemble, loving learning about music theory and history, and making those life-long friends everyone tells you to make in college. Well, one of those things went as planned. I met some of my favorite people at college, and that I wouldn't change for everything. The curriculum, however, I would like to take a whack at.
For four and a half years I did nothing but music. Oh wait, I forgot those other hugely important classes like Geology and Shakespeare. Those were definitely game changers in my music profession. (This is my sarcasm if it isn't evident, haha). So, when I wasn't practicing, performing, studying, reading, going to clinicals, and writing papers, I was sleeping. So, I got a full night's sleep of about 3-4 hours regularly. I discovered the world of caffeine and held on tight.
All this to say, while I was in college, I did what I was told. I followed their instructions. I did all of the practicing. I went to all of the concerts. Most of all, I lost a lot of the drive I had initially for music. I got burned out. Music was just what I did, it wasn't what I loved anymore. I still, "liked," it. I imagined switching majors 3 or 4 times a day (as we all do) and couldn't really see myself doing anything else. So, I sucked it up. However, in that time, there was no crocheting. Once in a while, I would find a quick project I could whip out on a Sunday while I neglected some other pertinant assignment. However, that was the extent of it. I had been an avid reader before college, too. However, I traded all that for reading textbooks. I had previously enjoyed journaling. I traded all of that for writing reflections. I wanted to slow down. Most of all, I wanted to sleep!
I can't pretend I hated everything about college. Like I said, I met some of the most wonderful people there. I just know it took me away from a lot of the things I enjoyed and I felt chained to my music education. SO, being graduated, I all of the sudden realized I had time to do WHATEVER I WANTED. My life, from here on out, is whatever I choose it to be. It is no longer being chosen for me.
So, graduated and in Barnes and Noble one day, I stumbled upon a book of Amigurumi crocheted animals. Now, I am spending all of my available time doing this thing that I missed so much. I am now sharing it with you.
Welcome to my world of unemployment, :)
~Paige
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