From Michigan to Nebraska, Deb learned to crochet during a lonely time in her life.
Who Taught You to Crochet?
A friend of the family. She is one of the main reasons I keep crocheting. More about her in the story below.
How Long Have You Been Crocheting?
For 34 years.
Elephant Rug
Why is Crochet More than Just a Hobby to You?
I always thought it would be my grandmother that taught me to crochet. I spent many nights watching her and I am sure my love for it was started by watching and listening to her crochet and knit during those weeks I would spend with her in the summer. But the real story is my family had to move from my childhood home during my junior year of high school. I was miserable. We moved from Michigan to Nebraska. What a culture shock! And if anyone has experienced moving to a new school during high school, you know how hard it is to fit in. I got into a little trouble with a local boy who said he loved me. Now I am even more outside of the cliques and feeling all alone. My parents had friends that were transferred from the same plant in Michigan to Nebraska at the same time. I didn’t know these people like my parents did but they were always friendly. They had a huge family. I found out once I got to know them they were a large Catholic family. Well pretty soon I wasn’t able to hide why I wasn’t going to school anymore. My parents friends noticed how lonely I was. They asked if I wanted to spend sometime at their house. During one of my first visits the mom was crocheting. I was fascinated and I missed my grandma who was back in Michigan. This friend…practically a stranger to me asked me if I wanted to learn to crochet. She didn’t have to invite me into their home. She didn’t have to offer to teach me. But she did. She made me feel so comfortable, so loved, and made me feel like I belonged again. I made a granny square as my first project and made an afghan from the squares. It was a wonderful feeling. I have not stopped since then. Crocheting got me through that rough time and many, many others. I crochet to relax. I crochet to forget. I crochet to remember. My dream became to at some point own a yarn store and teach others or maybe even sell something I made. Eventually maybe that will happen…owning a store. But if not I am doing what I love, making gifts for people I love. I did finally sell something I made and it was a good feeling but not as good as when you make something and someone’s eyes light up and they just love what you made for them. What a feeling! That’s why I crochet.
~Deb
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