Back to the Hook

Hello. My name is Jess and I am a crocheting failure.

Well, that’s not true. I used to be quite good at it a few years back. But the truth is I haven’t picked up a hook in years. (Oh God, has it been years? That seems like such a long span of time.) I’m not sure I’ve crocheted since starting college back in 2o12. When I moved into my new apartment before starting classes, I brought plenty of yarn with me. And hooks. And stitch markers and patterns and everything else you could think of. Then I found myself busy with school.

Then I found myself busy with writing.

Then I found myself busy with grad school.

You see where this is going.

I’m still in grad school actually — just completed my first semester yesterday — but I’ve recently found myself wishing I could pick crochet back up. My box of yarn was more like a museum piece. When I did find free time, I would rather curl up on the couch with a book or Netflix. Doing something else with my hands, besides typing, just wasn’t in the cards.

Two weeks ago I decided to dive back into crochet. There were many reasons, namely the upcoming winter break and a friend who was knitworthy, but mostly I just missed creating something tangible. I guess you could argue that writing is a physical work of art, but it’s not the same. And who can compare a plastic keyboard with feeling something like malabrigo in your hands? So yeah, I was happy to dive back in. I brought down the box of yarn I’ve had all through undergrad and sorted it out. Noro! Malabrigo! Knitpicks! Cascade! I forgot I had brought so many kinds of yarn with me. Some were WIPs, half finished shawls whose patterns I didn’t remember. Some were in the middle of being frogged. Others were brand new hanks, waiting to be wound.

When I write, it is usually not for an audience. Not yet. But knitting and crocheting are different. Whether I am making something for myself or for someone else, working with yarn means warmth, kindness, softness. It’s a different kind of art, one filled with love. And given how crazy things have been lately, both in my life and in the world, I need that right now. 

Just like riding a bike.