If I Hadn’t Learned My Craft

There are some things that happen in your life that completely change the trajectory of it. For me, learning to knit and crochet was one (two) of those things. There are so many things in my life that would be different, or wouldn’t be there at all, if I hadn’t learned these skills.

I don’t know if this has been a busy March, or if the last few months of crazy has just caught up with me, but I’m exhausted! I know that part of this is my own doing. I have so many goals and dreams right now that I’m working towards, plus I’m releasing some new Spring and Summer product April 11th which has me busy busy too. Thankfully, this morning I have some Death Wish Coffee to get me going.

 

 

I have been knitting and crocheting for about 7 years now, after many failed attempts over a 20-year span of time. Needless to say, this last attempt stuck with me and there’s no going back. I now have a couple dozen or so of my own patterns written and a steadily growing shop to show for it. But what are some things that would be different if it weren’t for this new skill?

#1 The Money – The obvious, I hope. This is one of the reasons why I wanted to learn. I wanted a way to make some income to take care of my daughter and I. And I’m pleased to say that it’s helping. I don’t yet make a sustainable (or steady) income from my crafting, but it definitely helps out.

#2 The Artistic Outlet – My main reason for wanting to learn was so I could have a creative outlet. I love to paint. I’ve been trained to paint, but when I had a baby to care for, I didn’t have the time (or space) to paint. I needed something to put my creative energy into or I would explode. I grew up watching my grandma crochet and thought maybe that would be an option. So I called my grandma, who I was living 3000 miles away from, and then a box of knitting needles, crochet hooks, books, and some yarn showed up on my doorstep. Hooray!

#3 Handmade Gifts – I learned to crochet at the very end of 2009, right before Christmas. In fact, I believe it was only a week or so before Christmas. That didn’t stop me from trying to make things I could give away for Christmas, though! I had some quick learning and crocheting to do!! I don’t remember what all I made for gifts last year, but I know that at least a couple people got one of my first (horribly done) crocheted creations. I have come a long way since those first wobbly scarves, and I still love to give handmade gifts. I love being able to gift something that I made myself and that’s completely unique. No duplicate gifts here!!

#4 Friends I’ve Made – I think one of my favorite outcomes of learning to knit and crochet is the friends I’ve made. I’ve met people at craft shows, through social media, and through blogs that I’m sure will be lifelong friends. I’ve virtually met people on the other side of the country and on the other side of the world. One of my favorite people is Nicole from Mercantile519. She’s my knitting Canadian friend, though she’s recently moved to the states. (Yay! She’s closer!) Nicole and I enjoy testing out ideas on each other, sharing complaints, and just sharing stories.

Because I use my craft as a means to make an income, it isn’t as relaxing as it could be, but I do enjoy it very much. However, I wish I could make everything I want at the same time, but I only have two hands. I guess I just need to learn to make faster now. Ha!!

As always, I love to hear from you. If you have learned a skill and would like to share some advantages to that, please do! Or if you just want to say hi, I’d love that too! 🙂