I recently finished crocheting this scarf with a scalloped edging. I could say that I meant to complete it just as the winter season is coming to an end, so that I’d have something fresh and bright to cheer up the last of the cold gloomy days. But really the reason is that I didn’t get the urge to pull out my hook until last month.
While I have been crocheting steadily since I was seven, I’m not someone who always has a project on the go. Rather hindsight tells me that I will crochet only one or two pieces a year, but not a single year will go by without making something.
Hindsight is interesting in what it tells you a lot about yourself. By taking a look back you can see what it is that you truly enjoy doing, because you keep on doing it.
While at various times in my life I have painted, drawn, made silver jewellery, played trumpet, guitar and keyboard, done macrame, pottery, knitting, cross-stitching, needlepoint, rug-hooking, sewing and embroidering, I see the constants that I have kept doing. These are photography, crocheting, growing plants, playing chess and singing, all of which I have been doing since I was a child, and still like to (need to?) do today. Another constant has been seeing/hearing new music performed live in small venues, but this began after I had reached drinking age, as said small venues are usually licensed bars with +19 years or age required.
‘The proof is in the pudding’ as they say. Curious about that saying, I just looked it up and its meaning becomes more clear when looking at the longer phrase that, over time, has been shortened to those six words. ‘The proof of the pudding is in the eating’ is the very old proverb (early 14th century) from which the saying comes. It means that, in order to fully test something you have to prove it yourself.
With crocheting, it seems to be the coldest time of the year when I am inside more, that the ongoing tugging at my brain to sink my fingers into some yarn takes over. The thoughts of steadily drawing a small metal hook, in, out and around, making neat, even uniform stitches, will linger until I make something. And then, once a project is complete, the urge goes away for a while. But I know it will come back; it always does.
How about you? What does hindsight tell you about what you really love to do? What proof is in your pudding?
xo loulou
That’s beautiful! It’s a really lovely colour as well.
Thank you Emma xo
You and the scarf are absolutely beautiful, I love the colour!
I’ve always been into charity shops and vintage clothes even as a little girl but the sewing bug didn’t strike until I was past 40 – it still amuses my friends! x
You’re so sweet Vix. That is very impressive about your sewing … by your skill level I would have guessed that you’d been at it for a long time.
That’s lovely, I’m glad I’m not the only one who knits things at the end of winter, lol. I’ve just made some of your red cabbage coleslaw, its in the fridge soaking up the flavours for tonights dinner. X
Thanks Louise. Yes, making a scarf or wooly hat at the end of the season means you’ll have something fresh and new to wear next year! I hope you guys enjoy the salad.
Your scarf is a lovely colour; it really suits you.
I think hindsight probably tells me that I’m a sewer and a hopeless knitter – but I can’t resist picking up the needles to try again.
Thank you :) While I can crochet anything, I really wish I was a better knitter. Perhaps the reason I didn’t stick with doing some of the things I’ve dabbled in, is that I never mastered the skill and therefore lost interest due to the unappealing results, (or in the case of sewing, due to all that wasted fabric!)
LOVE the color!
I know pink is your favourite colour Krysten! I am quite enjoying wearing it as I don’t have much (enough) pink in my wardrobe.
it looks great.. knitting is on my list of things to learn to do one day.. when D is older and I have more time to myself.
Yes, things would be very busy for you with your cute little guy!
Your scarf is in one of my current favourite colors! Oh and you have the patience to make a scarf. I guess I have issues with patience, hehe. Even though I have knitted a scarf or two in my life. ;)
Like you I have done a lot of things over the years and I am happy that I can still randomly make e.g. a pair of earrings. Even though I am not in my jewelry making phase anymore. However, seems like love for music and photography have stuck for good. I love-love music (listening to music, going to concerts, discovering new music) and photography makes me so happy. These days I have returned to a lot of things I used to do in my youth, e.g. drawing and sewing. I like fun DIY projects. :) Oh and I think my love for impressionism and modern(ish) art is still going on strong.
xx Kaisa
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The beauty of trying different things like you have done, is that you can revisit doing them at a different time. I plan to get back to drawing and sewing, one day, hopefully soon. I follow a few sewing blogs and am feeling my mojo for the craft building.
Really like how your scarf turned out!
Have a nice day,
-Kati
Thank you Kati :)
So very true! I guess my constants have always been music – playing it, writing it, going to see it…etc, etc. I used to crochet when I was young. Seeing your lovely scarf makes me want to pick it up again. I’m so impatient though which is why I think hobbies such as growing plants, sewing, painting, have been fun and an awesome retreat for me, but haven’t stuck around like music has – if that makes sense. Reading what I just typed out makes me think I need to practice discipline. Great post Loulou!
Of course, you are very busy with your little boy, and soon to become more-so when that becomes boys. I imagine that it would be tough to have all your sewing stuff out with children around, and that is just not a pursuit one wants to undertake if they have to put everything away after a session. Music would be perfect to do in your case because the littles can enjoy it at the same time. Some of my fondest childhood memories involve my mother at the piano and we children singing along.
What a good question to ponder… Now that I am over 40, I have a nice collection of hindsight to sort through and as I do, I see many constants. 1) I must be crafty, very crafty. After family, art comes next. There is no longer any point in pretending I am on a serious, more corporate path. In the end, the crafty lady who collects old onion bags and cuts letters from magazines and paints flowers will prevail. So just let her. and 2) I’m just not fancy. Even though I really wish I was. I admire the fancy ladies, and I might look fancy for a few days in a row, but by day 3… well… I will be working in my pajama top and jeans, hair unbrushed and turning gray, no makeup, and leg hair growing. I guess as long as I pull it together for the public every now and then, who really cares, right?
I like this question. I’m going to keep pondering today.
Haha, I’m not that fancy when at home myself, and also often sport the ensemble of pj top and track pants! But as you say, if you can spruce up for going out, nobody really has to know that part. Although, I do try to make sure that my casual around-the-house clothes are cute, because Nick is there to see it!
The scarf is beautiful and the yarn looks so soft! It’s lovely. I knit myself, and I think hindsight tells me that I think i enjoy doing knitting projects until I start a knitting project and then I get manic and frustrated and then finish the project and forget that…and want to start something new.
Thanks! The yarn was really a pleasure to work with and hangs beautifully. It is a blend of wool, mohair and acrylic, made by an Italian company called Ornaghi Filati. I’ve had it in my stash for a few years but never used it because I thought the colour was a bit out there, but now I am really enjoying the punch of colour it is giving to my otherwise all black outerwear selections.
Loulou,
Beautiful job on the scarf and such a great way to bring in some Spring to winter by using that gorgeous pink color.
XOXO