We have written before about the “art of crochet”, and we have looked at its growing popularity among all ages of knitters and fiber enthusiasts. We have profiled some fine crochet artists and let our readers know who they are and what they do.
Today we will look what happens when a committed (and life-long) knitter puts aside her needles, picks up a hook and begins a new exploration using her know-how and talents. To understand best, it made sense to talk to someone who combines her love of needlework with her desire to share and help others.
We first met Mary Ann Gebhardt when we were developing the Mindful Collection, a collection of knitting needles and accessories that were designed to promote Mindful Meditation. She is a supporter of emotional and physical health through body care, yoga and meditation. In addition, her passion for needle and handwork of all kinds has made her a designer of patterns for knitting and crochet work. One of her designs recently made the cover of a magazine devoted to Crochet.
We thought it made sense to speak to her about how one craft informed another for her. Here are her thoughts on the subject: “I love to see flowers come alive in crochet, and since I like 3- dimensional work, crochet satisfies that desire. Sock weight, and DK are good weights for my work. When making a blanket, I use the hook size suggested and do a swatch. However, when I make a shawl, I want to create drape and allow for movements in the stitches, so I use a larger hook.” Here’s an example of a neckpiece/she recently made. As you can see each flower is a true, distinct color. Variegated yarns, as pretty as they may be, can be too mixed to render accurately.
On the subject of hooks, she recommend an E/4, F5 for fine yarns, and a G/6 up to H/8, and for the flowers she prefers a wooden crochet hook . Here is a free sample pattern from her collection of designs:
Mary Ann used Symfonie Yarns, Terra, a sock weight yarn for these decorative ornaments. Sock weight yarn is deemed “perfect” for this detailed work. The DK weight Viva, can also work with these and with over 50 solid colors, you have a wealth of options.
In hearing her thoughts on the subject, it was obvious that one of the draws toward crochet is the quiet time in which concentration turns into a type of meditation: “Whether I am knitting or crocheting, the finishing is as important as the making. It gives me the opportunity to admire the piece as I make it. I take extra care with ends, which are significant in number. Since the time invested in making the piece is considerable, it’s important to do the finishing well. It is all part of what makes these handcrafts therapeutic.”
In addition to promoting knitting and crochet as great pathways to meditation, Mary Ann also teaches specific exercises that help alleviate the arm and hand issues that many handcraft artists experience. Sheastates that crochet offers “a healing rhythm” when using a hook since the work is often done in the round. To get information on her classes and exercises,
There has been much information about some of the health claims, both physical and mental, that are available to people who work with their hands to create useful and/or beautiful things. A recent article in the NY Times, titled” Working with your Hands is Good for your Brain” details how many forms of hand work are associated with cognitive and emotional benefits, including improvements in memory and attention, as well as reductions in anxiety and depression. Typing, scrolling, online work? Not so much.
So, go ahead, pick up those needles or hooks, put aside the computer or I-Pad and make something. You will be benefitting so much and your brain will thank you for it, as well.