Have used crochet as a "coping skill"?

[purples]

I've been hesitant to post about this, but I'm truly curious... Does anyone currently use or did they become serious about crochet as a result of being taught that crochet can be a "coping skill" while in recovery from something?

 

Many of the young ladies my age have told me they learned how to crochet or knit when they were "in treatment" (for various things) and someone even shared with me that they taught her in prison how to crochet. I actually picked up crochet as an adult to help myself deal with some personal issues and it has turned into something I use in my daily testimony of how recovery through my higher power is possible (not wanting to get specific, as I don't want to offend). In fact, I'm in the process of developing a "crochet based ministry" out of my experiences.

 

Crochet is a good way for people to keep their hands busy and I've heard of many people picking it up as a way to stop smoking, drinking, ect...

 

Can anyone else relate?

[HappyOldCro]

Taught by grandma in order to make fancy things that family couldn't afford to by. It also helped me get through a very abusive childhood. It serves me many purposes in addition to allowing me to be creative in a portable manner. It is always at the ready without having to pull out or carry heavy tools (like sewing machine). It is a mind drug, that keeps unpleasant and disturbing thoughts away. Too busy counting and concentrating on the project I am making. And as such becomes a sedative that makes my mind and body relax. And helps the community and populace when items are donated to charity.

[papersmiles]

In my small town there are several churches with crafting ministries. One is for the Linus Blanket project (knit, crochet or quilt), one is for knit or crochet winter wear (hats, mittens, scarves) to help the homeless, and one is to make blankets (knit, crochet or sewing) to give to individuals or families experiencing loss or hard times. I think your idea of starting a Crochet based ministry is wonderful. It helps both the crafter and the recipient feel the comfort of caring.

[lil_mama06]

Gives me my ME time..I now just say SHHH..Mommy's crocheting..

[AbbyNormal]

I use crochet as a coping device.

When I get stressed about something or worried ..etc.. I have to be doing something with my hands. When my father was in the hospital with cancer and a chemo induced heart attack I made a star blanket in the days I was in the waiting room.

I can't have those coping projects around afterwards to remind me of why I was making them. So I give them away to someone. I get that sense of doing something nice for somebody and at the same time I was able to work away my worries.

 

I have heard about people learning to knit and crochet in prison. I have wanted to go teach there but live in a small town and we don't have projects like that.

[chrissyf]

I learned crochet as a child in an afterschool club but i did reconnect with crochet as an adult...i am a survivor of domestic violence and crochet helped me through the lonely nights when i thought that it would be easier to take him back, pick up the bottle, eat or other destructive thoughts. now many years later i crochet or knit to help my anxiety, that resulted from the abuse. But I had to crochet in the time after my "escape" i had very little income and wanted to give my kids gifts at christmas. As a side effect of this i have two of the least material teenagers i know. They are happy with whatever i can give them, love handmade gifts and my daughter has even picked up crochet to make gifts for friends and to donate to charity. Handcrafts can be theraputic and healing. I think a crochet based mkinistry is a great idea. I wish i could get out more and was more comfortable with strangers and new people i know i could find a group locally if i could bring myself to give it a try. Oh well at least i have my online "crochet circle" here that helps me make new friends, learn new things and be inspired.

[curlysue]

I didn't learn to crochet as a coping skill, but as I have gone through life, I've learned that for me it can be very soothing in stressful events. I do crochet for charity, and I think your ministry sounds like a wonderful idea.

[CraftySonia]

I learned to crochet as a child but recently picked it up again. I definitely use it as one of my coping mechanisms for dealing with many health issues that affect my family. While I'm occupied crocheting I can't stress or worry about things I cannot change. I would be in far worse shape if I didn't have my crafting to distract me and give me some 'me' time. There is all the added bonus that I get some nice accessories out of it.

[tnkycrochetnut]

Yes, I have used crochet through the years as a coping skill. I also crochet just because I enjoy doing it. I love the idea of a crochet ministry.

[smokeyp81]

I'm with curlysue....I didn't learn to crochet as a coping skilll, I learned just for the fun of it....but as I have gone through life, I find that crocheting helps me releive stress.

[rebbylicious]

There is something very medatative about repeating the same motion. It is quite relaxing. I love the fact taht I can double task (watch a movie or listen to someone).

 

Funny you should say, my kids tease and tell me that I crochet very fast when I am angry! LOL!!!

[Je-Rel Drood]

Taught by grandma in order to make fancy things that family couldn't afford to by. It also helped me get through a very abusive childhood. It serves me many purposes in addition to allowing me to be creative in a portable manner. It is always at the ready without having to pull out or carry heavy tools (like sewing machine). It is a mind drug, that keeps unpleasant and disturbing thoughts away. Too busy counting and concentrating on the project I am making. And as such becomes a sedative that makes my mind and body relax. And helps the community and populace when items are donated to charity.

 

I agree with this. I decided to learn when I was 13 so I would have something to do on family car trips (before cars had DVD players in them) but picked it up again when my bestie (in a much higher tax bracket) was having a baby. I couldn't afford to give what her other friends and family members gave, but I gave from the heart, and that made up for lack of dollars.

 

I started out with those reasons, but I'm turning to it more and more now that I'm going through a rather stressful time in my life. I've turned it into 'meditation through movement' and it keeps the negative thoughts at bay. It also gives me a self-confidence boost as I can look at something I created. When I give something to someone, I've made someone's day, even provided for them in a small way. This helps me combat my feelings of helplessness and uselessness (abuse is so long lasting, no?)

[RoseRed]

Absolutely.

 

About a decade ago the doctors thought my daughter had lymphoma cancer. I was an absolute basketcase waiting for the test results and seeing the specialist.

 

She was young enough to be put to bed at 7:30. After a week of eating a package of cookies every night I picked up a hook and spent my evenings praying and crocheting. It kept my hands busy and me from losing my mind with worry.

 

Thank God the doctors were wrong.

[craftylady1956]

My mom taught me when I was 8 years old---I will be 56 next week.

 

I had been in abusive marriage years ago and it helped me then. I now have been remarried almost 24 years and we have been through some rough times. Hubby is disabled and I work two jobs from home.

 

We have 1 car that has been on it's last legs too long to say the least. I long for the day to go out to places "normal" people take for granted.

I dream about getting a decent vechicle. I take nothing for granted and although I have no yarn shops anywhere close by--I can get to Walmart now and then.

 

Crochet keeps me sane and I usually give away most everything I make. I cannot sit without crocheting.

[purples]

Thank you, everyone, for helping me not feel so alone with this --- I was scared to post about this because I didn't want to be "judged" for one of the reasons I crochet, but now I clearly see I'm not alone out there...

 

Crochet is such an amazing way to use the negative energy we might be in the midst of and turn it into something positive.

 

The stories you all have shared have touched my heart! Thank you so so so much for letting me know that others use crochet as a way to get through and to share love with other people, even when we are often experiencing so much pain (which leads us to crochet).

[tnkycrochetnut]

I posted to this thread earlier saying that crocheting had helped me through rough times in my life. But I didn't say that when I first learned how to crochet it was because my Mom and oldest sister had started crocheting in the mid 70s and I wanted to join them. They both have been gone for quite a few years but I have many fond memories of us crocheting. Also many fond memories of my sister and I pouring (maybe I should say drooling) over all the cute crochet patterns we came across. So whether I am going through a rough time or not, I am crocheting. I just love it.

[purples]

I posted to this thread earlier saying that crocheting had helped me through rough times in my life. But I didn't say that when I first learned how to crochet it was because my Mom and oldest sister had started crocheting in the mid 70s and I wanted to join them. They both have been gone for quite a few years but I have many fond memories of us crocheting. Also many fond memories of my sister and I pouring (maybe I should say drooling) over all the cute crochet patterns we came across. So whether I am going through a rough time or not, I am crocheting. I just love it.

 

I understand completely... Now, crochet is much more than a coping skill for me. What I once starting doing as a way to cope and deal - has turned into a love and passion for me. I can't even imagine my life without crochet now! I know that sounds silly, especially since I've only been crocheting seriously for about 6 years now... but I can't imagine my life without having such an amazing, awesome experience in my life.

 

I talk with people all the time about it. I literally FIND people who crochet, where I least expect it and where others least expect to find a crochet maniac I talk with people all the time about it where I work, which is currently in fast food (unemployment was approaching 10% when I re-entered the job market and I was thankful for whatever I could find, considering I had just left the hospital after an extended stay). I have found so many people and we will just sit and talk yarn over and over again.

 

There are a few people at work who also crochet, one is a very young lady and one is older. The older one isn't tech savy and the younger one barely has time, since she is helping to raise her nephews. One of the high schoolers wants to learn how to make amigurumi before he leaves for college in August, so we are just trying to find time to get together and crochet.

 

Crochet has opened so many doors for me. I'm not afraid to admit my "old lady hobby", as others who don't understand often call what I do. They wonder how and why I'm so active with it, so it gives me a chance to share with them about God (hence, why I'm trying to start a crochet based ministry). Crochet is flippin' totally awesome-sauce :cheer:cheer

 

Having found this forum, I'm learning so much more and getting to talk the craft with others who truly understand. It is such a blessing!

[LI Roe]

I was actually taught to crochet because I kept following my mother around when I was a little kid and asking her what she was doing, was it easy, could she teach me, yada, yada, yada and that is how I learned as a preteen.

 

It became a lifelong passion but over the years, it has also become my therapy at times. Yes, I do love to crochet but there are times I thow myself into it even more to deal with the events that have changed my life and outlook.

 

And it helps, I lose myself in the projects, even while listening to tv. You are not alone, we all crochet or knit or quilt or other crafts for different reasons but at some point, it becomes much more than just a craft.

 

I, for one, find it comforting to channel difficult times into positive times, helps not only me but others.

 

LI Roe

[Real Deal]

Crochet is the best therapy I've ever found. I used crochet as physical therapy after almost losing a finger from a cat bite. Once my finger was healed and I could move it some, but barely had any feeling in it, I told my doctor I would like to crochet rather than go to physical therapy just to squeeze a rubber ball 3 times a week. I told her I'd make a shawl, and when it was done, I'd bring in the shawl to show her and she could could check the progress of my finger. She said I could try this, so I did. It worked, although it was very slow at first, but little by little all the feeling and coordination returned, and I could curl my finger all the way down to the palm with no assistance. My doctor was so pleased.

 

Crochet helps mental and emotional problems just as much as far as I am concerned. I had been in a serious depression after a long illness and nothing in life interested me. Then one day my oldest sister told me there were free crochet patterns on-line. What? Huh? Are you kidding me? I really thought she was joking. I had researched a lot of things on the Net before, but it never occured to me to look for patterns, because as far as I knew, the pattern companies only gave out the occasional free leaflet, and I'd never seen free patterns from individuals. Well, I was stunned!!! My sister showed me many sites, including Crochetville. I just couldn't believe it!!! I was totally entranced looking at the items, and reading the patterns. Eventually my sister showed me how to save PDF's and how to make documents with Microsoft Word. A whole new world opened up to me and literally brought me back to life. I began to crochet again, and come up with ideas of my own from looking at all this creativity from other people. Now I have more plans than I can keep up with.

 

I also discovered that I actually love to do sc, even though I've crocheted 30 years. I love the simple rhythm and the fabric it makes. I can sc until the cows come home. To me it's very soothing. I can get in "the zone".

[CLLinda]

I learned as a teenager from my grandma. And then once I had kids and the stress of raising a family, then I brought out my crochet and learned to relax with it.

 

I do think it can help sooth frazzled nerves, and calm a person down.

 

[Katchkan]

Have always used crochet as release. In praticularly bad times it has been a sanity saver for me. I have a shawl I was working on when I spent the night with my father when he died. That one will be with me always. Without it I am not sure how I would have gotten through that night. Now it has special memories for me.

There have been many times when my crocheting has helped me hang on to my sanity.

[darski]

Seriously, I use crochet to get through the loneliness of many years of single living. Because of the crochet I have contacts with many people here and in my Y groups so there are people in my life if not actually in my room.

 

I'm not a social kind of person so crochet gives me opportunities for the socializing I can do.

[mva5493]

in a word absolutely!

 

I am not in recovery for anything, and I don't think I realized it at the time, but yes it most definitely helps me deal with stressful situations. I learned to crochet (a very basic beginning) when I was carrying my oldest daughter, she will be 24 in 5 days. I was at on of those monthly dr visits and while in the waiting room, another expectant mother was crocheting a baby blanket. She taught me how to do the stitch she was doing, gave me a hook and a partial skein of yarn. I made a blanket for dd (that I still have put away in a memory box) I made several more of those blanket over the next year or so, lots more babies in the family at the time. Then I found plastic canvas and didn't crochet again until dd was in high school and wanted a blanket to take on band trips.(she was a senior at the time) I didn't get the blanket finished until she went to college, and that blanket is full of beginner mistakes but she loves it anyway. She went to college in the fall 2006, I have been very busy crocheting since them.

 

I find that anytime I am sitting for any length of time it is the perfect opportunity to knit or crochet. I have made many granny squares and dishcloths while waiting in dr.s offices, waiting for the kids after school trips, I have even started crocheting while hubby is fishing.

 

I love the idea of a crochet mimistry. I know how much it has affected my ilfe in positive ways.

[AutumnBreeze]

Yes, I learned at a very stressful time in my life, and I needed an outlet for what I was going through. Being over 3,000 miles away from family, and in a bad relationship, I needed to do something that brought a little happiness to my life.

 

Crochet helped me through times of loneliness and gave me something to look forward to. And I can also say it lead me to learn of Crochetville, which has been another great outlet for me.

[MarcyH]

Good morning! My name is Marcy & I just joined your amazing forum!! I was searching for patterns and fell onto this site, causing me to start reading the recent posts. It was this thread asking if any one uses crocheting for coping, that led me to immediately join! I was truly touched by what so many of you said, and just knew I had to share my story with you! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this special community!

 

I indeed can relate at this very moment in my life. This is my personal story why:

My 14 yo daughter, Hannah, with autism had total reconstruction from hips to toes on Nov 30th & has suffered on crisis after another since. We were in Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, returned home a short while then was admitted on January 10th of this year to Children's Institute of Pittsburgh rehab hospital. I have not left her side since then, and have stayed in the bed beside her. We are 3 hours away from home & we are homesick. She has faced extensive suffering & daily challenges. She is non-verbal, making diagnosis complicated & situations very hard for her. She is extremely strong & at times very aggressive, & my own serious health conditions have worsened due to not sleeping and her difficult 24/7 care I give her. I know God has placed us here for a reason because she has touched so many hearts. She is amazing & the strongest person I know in every way. She takes nothing for granted. It is said by so many, "Hannah is an angel". She has taught me patience, compassion & godly love!

 

All during my childhood I watched my grandma crochet, & she taught me at age 12. She made me so many things. The first thing she taught me to make was a beautiful pink doily using the granny square. Every time I make them it brings back those memories. Throughout my very difficult childhood, I would focus on my crocheting. I didn't realize it then, but looking back I see how it helped block out heartache around me. Since then I have crocheted regularly off and on. Being a mother of 3, with one child having may disabilities needing my constant care there were times I couldn't crochet, but even after a year passed I pick up where I left off & remember the love I have for crocheting. Back in January I was overwhelmed with the intense full therapy schedule given to us everything & from pushing Hannah through them while suffering extreme pain. Hannah's only free time of fun is in the evenings and the only thing she can do is push herself for miles around the inside of the hospital, & outside in the garden, playground & around the block as I walk behind her helping her when needed & looking out for her safety. Sunday's is the only free day, and each Sunday I walk with her and/or push her 8+ hours. It quickly became exhausting & flared my fibro & neuropathy. I knew I needed a distraction during these times. I immediately thought of trying to crochet while walking, so I got yarn and a hook & searched for patterns on my blackberry. I realized crocheting was not only something to keep me occupied during this time, it was absolute therapy for me!! I couldn't think about the constant pain & stress around me while counting & reading a pattern! Instead of having tears stream down my face i was smiling because of the progress I was making on Hannah's very soft security blanket. I had a focus that passed the hours by quickly, allowed my mind to rest from the pain, & gave me a way to have fun! I realized I could talk to therapist, doctors, nurses, etc while crocheting & it made the conversations not so difficult. Weeks later I realized I could sit on the therapy mats, pushing Hannah through therapies, making her laugh & engaging with her while crocheting!! The therapy no longer left like an entire day, it passed quickly! Since then I have made so many beautiful gifts and have been able to give them to Hannah's doctors, therapist & nurses to thank them for all they are doing to save her life!! I have also been able to make things for my family's birthdays etc since I am unable to get out to purchase gifts, and the crocheted gifts meant far more to them! I have sent my husband to Joanns before he comes to visit to purchase specific yarn for me and have ordered online, having it delivered here. Each time I recelieve more yarn, I anxiously wait & become so excited giving me something to look forward to! I have a friend here in Pitt that crochets, and she brought me her extra hooks, and scrap yarn in the beginning to get me started and makes trips to Joaans and Walmart for me. Most importantly, Hannah has watched me walk and crochet hours making her things, & the big hugs she gives me and the love on her face brings me the greatest joy of all! I know she feels the love I put into these items & it blesses my heart to be able to help her pain!So my answer is YES indeed crocheting is helping Hannah & I both through these most difficult months!!! God brought crocheting back into my life to be the tool I needed to get through this & continue staying strong for Hannah!

 

 

Again, thank you all for allowing me to be a part of this community!