Before Tiny arrived, I spent my pregnancy happily crocheting things. Blankets, cardigans, teddies. I was in the middle of a sort of sleep-mat when Tiny arrived.
I never finished the mat.
I didn't, in fact, take up my hook again until a few weeks ago.
I'm now half way through a toy for a young cousin, and I've completed one basket, with another well on its way to being done.
The baskets especially have reminded me of why I liked crochet in the first place. Most especially when you have a pattern comprised mostly of double crochets (singles, if you're American), and you no longer have to count your stitches. Then, it's easy to pick it up and put it down, as small children demand attention. A pattern that doesn't, in fact, require constant checking with a written pattern, or counting your rounds. A bit like making a blanket. The toys, though otherwise easy, do require more counting.
The only problem, at least with the large basket I'm currently making, is that because I frogged the mat I hadn't finished for the yarn, I actually have no idea how much yarn it is using. The purple one, I know took maybe half of a ball of that particular yarn, which is a bamboo cotton, and the balls are only 50g. Maybe a bit more than half. I have plenty more, if it was over half and I decide to make some more purple baskets. And some of the same yarn in other colours, if I really wanted to jazz up the baskets with alternating colours.
Part of the reason for making baskets is a renewed desire to get my life organised. Or at least all the clutter that is threatening to overwhelm the house. And the kitchen cupboards which have a tendency to spill as soon as you open the door.
I know "everyone" always says that decluttering and getting the house tidy is good for the brain, so most of us probably ignore it, but actually, I'm finding it really does help. To be honest, I worked some of it out in the dark early days of sleeplessness and exhaustion with Tiny, and I had everyone telling me just to hand the baby to M and go back to bed. Getting the kitchen tidy, or at least the washing-up done, did far more for raising the spirits. Keeping on top of it then became much easier.
And now I'm finding that tackling just one small bit of clutter at a time encourages a little bit more, and a little bit more. We've still got a long way to go (M can deal with his clutter), but I'm finding that my clutter is a bit less overwhelming. And I'm feeling generally much more productive throughout the day, with all the non-cleaning things I want or need to do. Like studying, or writing, or making more baskets for organising more clutter.
Taking stuff to the charity shop as I fill a bag is far more satisfying, too, than letting the bags build up in the hallway until it's a carload. I don't trip over it nearly as often now, and get cross with it all over again!
Between the crochet and the decluttering, though, my mind is beginning to feel more able to deal with and solve all of life's frustrations. Which is always a good thing.
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