Friday, May 28, 2010

HOW AND WHY DID I BECOME A "HOOKER" ?

DID I GET YOUR ATTENTION?  Actually, this questions was posed to our CreateCrochet Team as a way of learning more about each of us and how we got "hooked" on crocheting. Each week we will be asked a question and I'm running out of time to answer this one because I've been so busy getting ready for our upcoming Relay for Life 2010 Kingman to help raise money to fight the evil known as cancer!  I am proud to say that my team has pitched in to help by sending so many beautiful crochet items from all over the world for me to sell at the RFL and donate all proceeds to RFL. They are the most wonderful team in the world. Oh, sorry, had to get that Public announcement in there :0)


As for me, I actually learned to crochet from Sister Richard in the 4th grade at Holy Trinity School. She asked if I wanted to learn how to crochet the lace on the altar cloths and I really wanted to do so;  she taught me and I was so excited. I never told anyone, it just made me feel special that I was doing something for God, my little secret between him and me.


Later I tried crocheting with bigger hooks and thicker yarn and felt quite clumsy. Believe it or not, my first real success came with tunisian/afghan stitch crocheting that a friend's mom taught me. I just felt it was so much easier and started making afghans like crazy.  During my teen years I put my hook down and focused on a special someone named "John" whom I married when I was 19 and he was 22. I am proud to say we will celebrate our 35th anniversary this August!!


Back to crocheting, I continued to pick up my crochet hooks  which grew in number over the years  and taught myself many stitches with the help of books and some friends.  I found it enjoyable and soothing.  It wasn't until about 6 or so years ago when health issues really set me back and it as very difficult to cope that I found crocheting VERY therapeutic and my fingers were ablaze with amazing creativity. I was always doing some sort of crafting, but nothing gave me the enjoyment and freedom like crocheting. 


EVERYONE got something crocheted as gifts, scarves, hats, purses, fingerless gloves. etc, etc, etc.  I accumulated so many items my family teased me about needing a whole room just for all my crocheting things. Soooooooo, since both of our sons are grown, one married with children, the other away at college and now graduated and engaged; I turned one of their rooms into my craft room and am in my glory!!!!!


I can never follow a pattern; I may start, but I feel guided by a higher power of creativity and am always surprised at the outcome. I finally realized that I need to write down how I do things so I can create more of the same should anyone want one. 

My guide/symbol which reminds me to play, breathe, create and enjoy life is the Dolphin.  My husband and children have surrounded me with all kinds, statues, bookmarks and even a giant vinyl one on my craft room wall made by my oldest son who does wall vinyl art for a living.

When I crochet ALL is right with the world. This gift of crocheting is a blessing for which I thank God every Day :0)

So, hopefully now you know a little bit more about me. Anyway, "that's my story and I'm stickin to it"

Have a wonderful life............IT'S MANDATORY :0)

8 comments:

LazyTcrochet said...

You are so inspiring! I love your spirit. Best of luck with RFL!

Julie G. said...

I enjoyed reading your blog. You sound like a loving, compassionate wife and mom that enjoys crocheting.

SarahBeth said...

Marianne - you sound like me -- move 'em out and turn their room into a craft room!! Mine was my son's room; now it's my office (ie computer), craft room, storage room, play room for Noli, and has a twin bed for when she sleeps over. And it's not a very big room!!
I can't imagine starting on the tunisian stitch. I'd like to learn it one day.
(saw your lament on the forum - here's a comment and I'm already following!!) :)
By the way, you are really doing such an awesome job with the donations -- I know it's a big endeavor.

MyHobbyShop said...

great story. i bought a special hook so I can learn how to do an afghan stitch but no sucess :) Thanks for sharing.

Lily
http://myhobbyshopblog.blogspot.com/

trendymates said...

Marianne,
Oh...you made me cry again...
what a story, so inspirational. Thank you for sharing! I only which I could blog... I guess I'll figure it out sooner or later.
Blessings,
Tess

jbcrochetdelights said...

Lovely story. Crocheting is inspirational and Sister Richard was your leader.

Lacey said...

Aw, how wonderful! I agree, crocheting is just so soothing! Thank you for sharing your story!
Loose Threads

Mamta Motiyani said...

Great spirited lady and my lovely friend. Bless Sister Richard that you know this wonderful craft so you could meet me. I'm blessed to be your friend. GL with RFL.