Monday, March 7, 2011

V stitch (dbl,ch,dbl)

Women on both sides of my family taught me needle crafts starting at a young age. Embroidery, crocheting, sewing - those all stuck. Grandma Anna attempted to teach me to knit at age 8 but I didn't quite grasp it. Maybe I'll try again soon - 42 years later.
My ancestral women also tatted, cross stitched, rug hooked and quilted. No wonder I so enjoy fabric and thread and yarns. But whereas they were very careful and meticulous, I'm really attracted to loose threads and mismatched fibers.
I've been crocheting a blanket from random left overs and donated yarns - a real mashup of fiber contents and I love it! The V stitch (dbl,ch,dbl) is probably really common, but my friend and amazing needle craft artisan Leslie gave it to me.  My friend Heather who's a number person says she does V stitch with a count to 7: double crochet (1, 2, 3) chain (4) double crochet (5, 6, 7). I'm more visual so I'm always glancing down to see if I got the entire stitch.
I've been noticing crocheting a repetitive pattern is a meditation of sorts for me. Breath in, breath out, pay attention to the stitch. Then, just like in meditation, my mind wanders: I hope my son gets home safely. (dbl, ch, dbl) What's the next step in getting my divorce finalized? (dbl, ch, dbl) Oh! What a beautiful patina on that wood! (dbl,ch,dbl) Always back to the stitch.
I like the idea that I'm stitching these questions and worries and random thoughts into the fabric. As if this colorful mashup really is my life in a physical form all it's own that is unpredictable but always, always my own expression and really so beautiful.

Joann Tomsche 3/7/11

4 comments:

  1. Joann...I only know how to post as anonymous. I love this post. I think it is why the crafts you listed are so appealing. They allow our hands to be busy and productive while our minds sort through our lives. And in the end our hands have organized what our mind is trying to do. Bless your heart, bless your mind, and bless your hands! Leslie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Leslie-Thank you for the blessings, including the one that makes you my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I don't want to be the numbers girl I want to be the artsy girl in this story! Hey there! Leslie told me about your blog...love the final product of your creation. You are so amazing. So so talented!

    ReplyDelete
  4. you are the artsy girl - one who can count too!!

    ReplyDelete