Sit Quietly in the Corner

The anticipation for Autumn is over. It appears Fall is finally here. I even had to use the heater Saturday afternoon to get the chill out! That means it got below sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit. The heavy ripple afghan will be put on the bed after I confiscate it from Kali. And soon I will once again panic that I don't own a winter coat that fits me on those few rare days I need one.

I love how now the outdoors has slowed down and grown darker, and I have to turn the lamps on indoors during the middle of the day  — and how anytime seems like a good time to pick up the needles or hook. Lately it's been more knitting than crocheting — and I'm wondering if that's a subconscious seasonal thing. And I don't mean the holiday season.

Nearly a decade ago, the man I loved said "I love you" to me for the last time.  I went into a depression that can literally make someone die from a broken heart. The kind of despair that found me vacuuming the living room carpet one moment, then curled up on the kitchen floor in tears the next. The kind of heartache that made me stop eating for over four months, in what a friend described as a "slow suicide."

What helped heal my mind was knitting — which I started in November of that year. I even knitted up an appetite (my weight had dwindled to double-digits) from fun hours of knit, purl, knit, purl. As melodramatic as it might sound, knitting may have saved my life. And almost like clockwork, I find myself knitting more at this time of year.

Which is why I keep my cozy crafty corner even more comfortable nowadays. I love sitting there to quiet my mind while knitting or crocheting (or sewing or writing) and watching the wind blow through the tree branches and seeing the rain sparkle on the windowsill. I invite you to pull up a chair as I will begin to show you more projects that come to life from this little spot.

Kathryn Vercillo famed for her Crochet Concupiscence blog has written a book titled Crochet Saved My Life. I haven't bought it to read yet, but I'm so happy to see other crocheters opening up and sharing their stories.

I have also blogged about the mental health benefits of knitting and crocheting through my panic attacks.

If you're having suicidal thoughts and need someone to talk to, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

Comments

[kiki]

I am glad that you picked yourself up again and doing some knitting. I look forward to seeing your lovely projects. I know how tough it can be. just know that I am here. Sorry haven't post much as I homeschool my girls and I am lucky some days to check my blogs:)Praying for ya

[Susan]

I've been in that same place, and it's not melodramatic: seeminly small things like knitting saved my life from what it was turning into. Your corner looks so cozy, I just want to curl up in that picture. Hope you're doing well now, and that knitting is only out of joy :)

[BellaKarma]

Kiki ~ Thanks for the kind words. :)

Susan ~ Yes! I think knitting is sort of like a seasonal celebration now. :) Glad to hear knitting helped turn your life around too. :)

[V-Grrrl @ Compost Studios]

I crocheted myself through the anxiety of Hurricane Sandy and the last days of the campaign and election. I hadnt crocheted in years, but as I became more restless and unsettled by storm preps and the rest, I craved it. About halfway done with a big purple afghan...

[BellaKarma]

V-Grrrl ~ I remember reading that on Twitter. Smart! Hope we get to see the big purple afghan! Purple is one of my favorite colors. :)

[Luma]

I've been told by my loved ones more than once to take a "knitting time out" when I get overwhelmed and stressed, there really is nothing like the power of fiber to soothe.

[BellaKarma]

Luma ~ Ah, yes, the power of fiber to sooth, so true! By the way, thanks for cluing your readers in about The Oatmeal (www.theoatmeal.com)! Gonna have some fun over there! :)

[Christine]

Glad to hear you're playing with fiber again. And so glad it's cooled down so we can all get in a holiday mood...hard to do when it's in the 90's and up. :(
I really look forward to your upcoming projects!

[BellaKarma]

Hi Christine ~ Yay,so glad it's cooled down! In fact, the rainy weather inspired two of the project I am working on now! :)