Yarn and thread as good medicine
September 18, 2009 by Noreen Crone-Findlay
Filed under Creativity, crafts, crochet, knitting, weaving and handweaving and looms, yarn, yarn crafts
Yarn can be very good medicine.
We use yarn as a blessing.
Is there a baby on the way?
Get out the knitting needles
and crochet hooks to
celebrate!
Is someone ill?
Knit or crochet or weave
them a prayer or blessing
shawl.
Is there a rite of passage or significant spiritual event? Chances are good that textiles will enter into it, somehow, somewhere.
We swaddle our babies and wrap them in soft cloths. And, when the time comes, and we leave this life and are born into the next, someone will wrap our bodies in cloth again.
Cloth, and the ways we create it, whether we knit, crochet, weave or make it in some other way (or have someone else make it for us) is intertwined with our lives from the moment we emerge from the womb until after we leave this life.
So, doesn’t it make sense to find ways to make some of that cloth be significant to us? How do we do that?
By paying attention to what we make, and how we make it and why we make it…. then, hopefully…. those things that we knit, crochet, weave, spin, and whirl out of our imaginations, hearts, minds and hands, will become the source of joy, sustenance and healing.
Ah, Joy….. that’s what yarn and thread and creativity can bring….. joy……
Hi Noreen,
I like your blog today… But there is another way we use yarn. To comfort oneself by making something that will keep a loved one warm ,& will hopefully make him think of you when he uses it. In other words… our son has said he may be moving to another state because of work. And it hurts to think he’ll be too far away to have lunch dates with any more, or see him on the weekends at Grandma’s & Grandpa’s house. ( If I’m messing up my typing, blame the tears in my eyes. )
He just may be a getting a few afghans… not just 1 mind you… but a few. It mkes ME feel better…
Susan
Oh Susan, I am so sorry that you and your son are going to be a long distance from each other- ouch!
And, yes, you are right… I didn’t say this in so many words, but I certainly was thinking it- so thank you thank you for putting it into words!
big hugs to you
This is so true! I always stitch and weave magic, prayers, wishes & spells and blessings into all my needlework. And, along with Susan, I also stitch to comfort, console and make myself cozy. My needlework always soothes and makes me feel good. How lucky we are to have this craft!
Blessings nine! Elizabeth
You are so right! I always feel better when I purchase yarn or thread, and then make something for someone. If I’m bothered or upset about something, my crocheting brings me so much comfort. I don’t make alot of items for myself, as I enjoy crocheting and giving to others. I really enjoy and look forward to your posts. Thanks for a great site Ruthie
Hi Elizabeth,
This is something that I have been teaching in workshops and writing in my books for years….. I am so happy to hear that you are doing this! Hurrah! And, yes, yes, yes!!!!
Blessings abounding, to you, as well!
Hi Ruthie
I really can’t function without yarn in my hands. I listen better, I think better, I FEEL better, I AM better with yarn/thread, hook, loom, needles and shuttles in my hands.
I am so pleased that you enjoy my blog! That means the world!
blessings!