"I obey only my own instincts and intuition. I know nothing
in advance. Often I put down things which I do not understand
myself, secure in the knowledge that later they will become
clear and meaningful to me. I have faith in the man who is
writing, who is myself, the writer."
~ Henry Miller ~
myself, secure in the knowledge that later they will become
clear and meaningful to me. I have faith in the man who is
writing, who is myself, the writer."
~ Henry Miller ~
When I read Miller's quote today I was thunderstruck. It was so apt for exactly how I am feeling as I work my way into this first piece of crochet. I've still a long way to go and this is the last time I will be able to scan it. It it nearly 8 1/2 inches across now, so I will have to move to photographing it. I love scanning because you get a much clearer picture, so the photographing of it with my camera will be an adventure too.
The reason Miller's quote fit so well with where I am is that this is exactly my process with crochet (as well as writing, and the other fiber art that I do...). As I am doing this piece I don't know how it will end up but I know at least 3 different things it could be, and it will be sizable when this piece is finished, and then I will begin freeforming around on it, and embellishing, and more. The fun part is watching it take shape, playing with color, trying different patterns I make up with each color, and letting my mind leap ahead to the next color and the next. It is thrilling, and truth be told I am as caught up in it as one is in a new love affair. I can barely put it down or think of anything else! I'm not just listening to the moon, I'm over the moon!
I was telling a friend something tonight. She is a photographer, fairly newly into this complex and wondrous art, and she was overwhelmed by all that she feels she needs to learn. It was in that moment that I realized that the reason that I started this blog was not just about my own journey, but because there are so many people that want badly to try something but feel they would have to learn so much before they could even start that, well, it's just too daunting. What I said to her was that one of my favorite things to carry in my mind is the life of Grandma Moses, who didn't take up painting until she was in her 70's, painted until over 100 years of age, and became a legend in her own time and beyond. She didn't have formal training, she just did it! So, too, with crochet. As I told my friend, just learn the first few basic steps to get going and take them as far as you can. You can learn other things you need to know along the way, but all you need do is pick up the camera, the paintbrush, the fiber work and just go with it. Really let go.
I've taught writing like this for 30 years. I teach journal-keeping in a deeply intuitive, healing way, and though this is seemingly about keeping a journal, it is also a push into picking up a pen and writing at all. Many of my students have been professional writers who were blocked, or people who wanted to write but were afraid to start. A journal is a wonderful place to start because you don't have to worry about spelling, punctuation or grammer, and you begin to know what your material is, what your stories are, who you are by writing, unencumbered by rules and worrying about how it will turn out in the end. It's your guts on the page. It's feeling. It's opening up the heartspace and letting everything just flow. It is not intimidating. Often people have taken pieces that started in their journals, and gone on to revise them and publish them. I myself have done this. But if they tried to write a publishable piece at the outset they would have frozen up because they would be too worried about whether or not it was "good enough." In a journal it just is what it is. You write and you are only concerned with the journey along the way. What you may or may not do with it later matters little in the moment. So, too, crochet for me now.
So I pick up this piece of crochet and am in the process of traveling to the outer reaches of what I might learn as I keep going round and round with no thought in mind as to what the end piece will look like. I have ideas about things that I want to try, and my mind is often leap-frogging ahead of me, but I am always open to changing my mind along the way. I know from my lifetime experience as a writer, since nine years old, writing professionally by twenty, and teaching writing for three decades, to trust the process. I once read a wonderful quote whose author has totally left me in this moment, but I've heard variations on this theme by several authors -- Trust the process, it's larger than you... -- and so it is.
And so I close here tonight, ready to go in and make a cup of tea, and settle myself in to play with my crochet. Continually expanding your horizons, learning new things, is a delight past measuring, and keeps us growing in so many directions our spirits are expanded enormously. Onwards and Upwards! Once more into the breech! And yes Henry, I'll gather up my instincts and intuition, my crochet hook and a pile of brightly colored yarns, and my mind will keep popping like a 4th of July fireworks display (... and what perfect timing, on the eve of the 4th!), and round and round I go, and where I stop, I don't even know. And that's just the way it should be, at least for me.
I am now officially a hooker. I wonder what color light a crocheter puts in the window?
Maitri
I was telling a friend something tonight. She is a photographer, fairly newly into this complex and wondrous art, and she was overwhelmed by all that she feels she needs to learn. It was in that moment that I realized that the reason that I started this blog was not just about my own journey, but because there are so many people that want badly to try something but feel they would have to learn so much before they could even start that, well, it's just too daunting. What I said to her was that one of my favorite things to carry in my mind is the life of Grandma Moses, who didn't take up painting until she was in her 70's, painted until over 100 years of age, and became a legend in her own time and beyond. She didn't have formal training, she just did it! So, too, with crochet. As I told my friend, just learn the first few basic steps to get going and take them as far as you can. You can learn other things you need to know along the way, but all you need do is pick up the camera, the paintbrush, the fiber work and just go with it. Really let go.
I've taught writing like this for 30 years. I teach journal-keeping in a deeply intuitive, healing way, and though this is seemingly about keeping a journal, it is also a push into picking up a pen and writing at all. Many of my students have been professional writers who were blocked, or people who wanted to write but were afraid to start. A journal is a wonderful place to start because you don't have to worry about spelling, punctuation or grammer, and you begin to know what your material is, what your stories are, who you are by writing, unencumbered by rules and worrying about how it will turn out in the end. It's your guts on the page. It's feeling. It's opening up the heartspace and letting everything just flow. It is not intimidating. Often people have taken pieces that started in their journals, and gone on to revise them and publish them. I myself have done this. But if they tried to write a publishable piece at the outset they would have frozen up because they would be too worried about whether or not it was "good enough." In a journal it just is what it is. You write and you are only concerned with the journey along the way. What you may or may not do with it later matters little in the moment. So, too, crochet for me now.
So I pick up this piece of crochet and am in the process of traveling to the outer reaches of what I might learn as I keep going round and round with no thought in mind as to what the end piece will look like. I have ideas about things that I want to try, and my mind is often leap-frogging ahead of me, but I am always open to changing my mind along the way. I know from my lifetime experience as a writer, since nine years old, writing professionally by twenty, and teaching writing for three decades, to trust the process. I once read a wonderful quote whose author has totally left me in this moment, but I've heard variations on this theme by several authors -- Trust the process, it's larger than you... -- and so it is.
And so I close here tonight, ready to go in and make a cup of tea, and settle myself in to play with my crochet. Continually expanding your horizons, learning new things, is a delight past measuring, and keeps us growing in so many directions our spirits are expanded enormously. Onwards and Upwards! Once more into the breech! And yes Henry, I'll gather up my instincts and intuition, my crochet hook and a pile of brightly colored yarns, and my mind will keep popping like a 4th of July fireworks display (... and what perfect timing, on the eve of the 4th!), and round and round I go, and where I stop, I don't even know. And that's just the way it should be, at least for me.
I am now officially a hooker. I wonder what color light a crocheter puts in the window?
Maitri
4 comments:
My dear and wise 'hooker' friend, I am inspired both by your willingness to obey your instincts as well as the color and beauty of your pieces.
I lllllike it! I don't know how you are coming up with such joyful colors when you are feeling so stressed, but it's looking great, and I'm a long-time crocheter, (though knitting is brand new to me), so you can trust me, it's looking fine. Maybe because it's still in process, people are hesitant to comment. Hugs, Ysabeau
Lucente,
Thank you so much dear one, your kind comments about my work mean more than you could know. I love to play with color. I wish I could get the color of the newest photo right. The edging I am working on now is hot pink and looks red. It's in the entry I did last night. But I am having a ball. I feel JOY crocheting and it is really lifting me up right now.
Have a blessed day and a beautiful week!
Maitri
Ysabeau lovie! Thank you so much. I really appreciate you taking the time to look and your comments mean a lot because I know your work is just wonderful. And affirmation when you are starting something new is so important. You have given me a tremendous lift.
Blessings and many gracious thanks dear one,
Love,
Maitri
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