21 Comments
User's avatar
Katy Wheatley's avatar

I love what crochet does for you. And I love how you write about the freedom it and other textile projects must have offered countless generations of women. Slug power forever x

Expand full comment
Kathryn Coneway's avatar

I love this post. And a warning - crocheting octopuses can become VERY addicting. I've made over 100 now, including this one...https://kathrynconeway.substack.com/p/octopus-adventures

Expand full comment
Rebecca Armstrong's avatar

Oh my GOODNESS! What a magnificent creature!

Expand full comment
Kathryn Coneway's avatar

Thank you - I definitely recommend crocheting the octopus - here is a larger selection of ones I have made - their color changing ability makes it really fun to make them in all different colors.

https://kathrynconeway.substack.com/p/world-octopus-day

I also found this article this week that you might appreciate too...ties right into the title of your post...

https://www.ramdass.org/i-crochet/

Expand full comment
RG she/her's avatar

Your work is truly extraordinary x

Expand full comment
Kathryn Coneway's avatar

Thank you, I am delighted to find a kindred soul for crochet here in Rebecca's newsletter.

Here is a video and photos of a good portion of my octopus crochet collection...

https://kathrynconeway.substack.com/p/world-octopus-day

Expand full comment
Pom Shillingford's avatar

Sorry - I just clicked on your octopus - JESUS! She's blown my preconception of dainty crochet doilies out the window!

Expand full comment
Kathryn Coneway's avatar

I've actually never made a doily - though I imagine there is a meditative quality to their circular designs. I love the sculptural potential of crochet for making creatures.

Expand full comment
Pom Shillingford's avatar

Well your creatures are true works of art! Amazing.

Expand full comment
Pollinatrix's avatar

I used to joke I take excersise not drugs as I de-escalated my own party life style, but it's not entirely true knitting has been my saviour!

Expand full comment
Janie's avatar

Been there with the crochet rage and this gives me hope that there is a way through!! What was the trick to getting beyond the 'false starts'? I'll happily receive any tips!

Expand full comment
FFS's avatar

Looking forward to getting you over to help with our kit! X

Expand full comment
RG she/her's avatar

I love your writing Rebecca. So sorry to hear about Nimrod - he sounds phenomenal. I am a knitter so can relate but crochet drives me up the wall x

Expand full comment
Charulatha Banerjee's avatar

So so liked your article. Much resonates here even if Cross stitch is my craft to calm - crochet has been on my list to learn. Sorry about the loss of your tortoise- thank you for the lines of that poem.

Expand full comment
Michele Banks's avatar

Very sorry about Nimrod 😢

Expand full comment
Pom Shillingford's avatar

Oh the loss of dear Nimrod! I am so sorry. Perhaps a crochet tortoise should perhaps now be in order?

Expand full comment
Caroline Donahue's avatar

What a joy this post is! I love that you've landed on slugs not drugs. The potential for stickers is endless. And the satisfaction of MAKING your own crochet hook when unable to buy one? I can't imagine anything more joyous. Cannot wait to sling some yarn and catch up soon. Many hugs and so so sorry about Nimrod. What a character and a force.

Expand full comment
Annie Taylor's avatar

Sorry about Nimrod. You are right about so much here. Present but not looking in the eye...

"Activity bag" is the phrase I use for protective crafting. And it is usually crafting - embroidery being in general so much more portable than arting.

Expand full comment
Clary Delano's avatar

I love this. I'm so sorry about Nim. xx

Expand full comment
Lee Williams's avatar

I’ve been toying with the idea of learning to crochet or knit, you’ve re inspired me.

This winters project …. learn one or the other, and never mind with the ‘why and what for’ which I keep coming up against with no sensible answer.

Thank you.

Sorry about Nimrod. X

Expand full comment
5k to couch - how to relax's avatar

Wonderful as ever! Those slugs we’d all buy one if we could. Also sorry to hear about Nimrod I hope he’s enjoying those heavenly dandelions x

Expand full comment