I’ve been “yarn adjacent” for several years now. Sprucely Designed, our other small business venture, supports many fiber artist clients. In my previous life of working in higher education, I never gave much thought to picking up a fiber craft. I attended a few yarn shows with Isaac to meet clients, and was always struck by the beauty of the colors and fibers I saw.
In 2021, I was struggling with crippling anxiety. After talking with a few close friends, I decided that it was time for me to explore a craft hobby. After initially trying to teach myself to knit, I came across some amazing YouTube videos from am amazing crochet artist and designer, Toni Lipsey of TL Yarn Crafts. After that, I was hooked (yes, pun intended).
Benefits of Crochet (or any craft)
I initially took up fiber arts as a way to temper my anxiety. I have always been a nervous person – so many of my memories from young adulthood are shaded by feelings of worry and intrusive thoughts. Once, as a young child, my Grandmother told me that, like her, I had “nervous stomach.”
There have been a handful of studies over the past few years discussing the link between repetitive and meditative crafts like crochet and knitting. This study suggests there is a strong link between crochet and mental wellness, and this article discusses how the movement of crochet can ease anxiety.
For me, the benefits are immense. Crochet helps me slow my thoughts down to a singular activity, and lowers my stress. The craft is calming, and gives me quiet and reflective space. Of course, the joy and excitement of picking a pattern, materials, and transforming balls of string into works of art also help!
Sharing Joy
Today, I want my craft to bring joy to others. This activity has brought me such joy and peace, and giving a piece of that to others is important to me. I started The Rustling Crochet Co. to do just that. I hope you consider requesting a custom piece or picking up a piece of my collections.