Crochet Heals: Interview with Athena Field
“Crochet calms the mind, soothes the soul and makes the black dog dance in a pretty little dress.”
This interview was originally published in a 2016 issue of Happily Hooked Online Magazine. I had a monthly column there for eight years called Crochet Heals. I was so honored to meet, interview, connect with and amplify the voices of so many amazing creative crocheters who used crafting as part of their wellness journey. Their stories never cease to amaze me, and I don’t want them forgotten, so sometimes I share throwbacks like this one.
NOTE: Athena’s website is no longer active and her Facebook hasn’t been updated since last year. This article has not been updated but continues to have valuable, inspiring information.
Athena Field is an Australian crochet designer and artist who has lived with depression and anxiety. Perhaps, surprisingly she says, “My life is more brilliant by this diagnosis.” She is a mental health peer support worker who is passionate about these issues. Crochet is one of the most important tools in her wellness toolbox as well as one of many gifts that she gives to the world. She is fond of saying:
“Crochet calms the mind, soothes the soul and makes the black dog dance in a pretty little dress.”
Athena has received awards for her amigurumi designs from Crochetville’s Doll competition as well as the Sydney Royal Easter show. Her work was a sell-out at the World Amigurumi Exhibition in New York last year. Her patterns have been published in Happily Hooked. Today she shares more about her work and the benefits of crochet in her life through this interview.
Let’s start by having you tell us a little bit about yourself.
I'm a woman, a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a mental health peer support worker, an author and a friend. I’m married to a funny, loving, spunky man that I have been with for more than two decades. I grew up in Sydney, a wonderful place, to Greek parents who have been married for more than four decades. I am passionate about mental health, writing, crochet and showing people that it is okay to not be okay.
And what has “not okay” looked like in your life?
For several years I suffered from infertility and underwent several procedures and treatments to have a living child. The experience lasted 7 years with failed IVF, IUI and miscarriages as the result. In 2008 I finally fell pregnancy naturally with my son. My dream had come true, but I had not resolved the years of frustration and agony that I had endured up until that point. This eventually manifested in PTSD.
I returned to work when my son was still an infant and immediately began to experience separation anxiety. It was not long after this, with several panic attacks under my belt and ruminating over past events, that I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and major depression.
“When the darkness first came into my life I felt alone, afraid, hopeless. I had won the battle with infertility but I had not resolved its repercussions. My friend took her life, relationships were fragile and the world around me felt broken and worthless. The Black Dog f-d with my mind. I was exhausted, struggling to find joy where all the beauty had left. I was just a body coping with the mundane, waiting and hoping for the “this too will pass” day to arrive.” – From Athena’s website
How did crochet come to be a part of your personal therapy?
I was in one of my counseling sessions with my psychologist and we began to delve into my imagination and creative side. I remembered my grandmother’s lace doilies, the intricate nature of each stitch and how I loved to trace the patterns with my fingers. I had the idea then that learning to crochet would help with my depression. I saw it as a mindfulness approach to recovery. Crochet, along with regular therapy and medication, healed me, as I was able to concentrate on my emotions and thoughts in the present moment rather than ruminating on the past or stressing about future events.
So how did you go about learning to crochet?
“I first learned how to crochet & cross stitch at a very young age, my first project was a brown potato looking creature with black button eyes. It was my good luck charm for years till the hormones kicked in and adolescence curbed my life journey.” – From Lilliputi’s Facebook Page
I had always wanted to re-learn the craft. After that counseling session where I realized that it could be therapeutic for me, I went to a craft store and purchased my first crochet hook and yarn. I used YouTube videos to teach myself.
And how did your business, Lilliputi Crochet & Design emerge?
Over time, my crochet improved and people became interested in my work, so I launched my business. It began as the Lilliputi Facebook page, which I started after realizing that my home was starting to look like a colorful, vibrant, crochet hoarder’s house! I gave some of my projects as gifts and then started to delve into the options for selling items.
What I found was that there were already a lot of crocheters selling their work, too; people who were more reputable, experienced crafters than me. In Australia, I’ve found that most people don’t really embrace the handmade market. So it took me some time to find my niche.
And that niche is?
“My specialty is my original designed Lilliputi doll. She is my second-self, my niche, my childhood memories and imagination.” – From Athena’s website
I crochet unique, one-of-a-kind items including winter woolies, amigurumi and more. I work with sustainable Australian and New Zealand wool that has been hand-dyed or hand painted by indie artisans. I sell my work on Etsy and elsewhere. I also write my own original designs. The one that excited me when I first learned how to crochet was finding beautiful and interesting patterns that were available for free so I make many of my designs free to others. I also sell some crochet patterns and have had patterns published in Happily Hooked.
And you donate a portion of all sales, right?
Yes, Lilliputi is a registered fundraiser. I donate my profits to The Black Dog Institute, a leading Australian organization in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders. I do this because crochet saved my life. In addition to raising money with my work, I use my voice as an artisan to raise awareness and help destigmatize mental illness.
“Crochet is my niche, my passion, my savior.” – From Athena’s Ravelry page
One way that you helped to raise awareness was your participation in my Mandalas for Marinke project. Why did you choose to join in?
When I first began to scour the Internet for instruction and inspiration in learning crochet, I quickly came across Wink’s blog, A Creative Being. Her crochet mandala pattern was one of my first projects. Wink’s personal story (of crafting through depression and life with Asperger’s) really resonated with me. I believe that I had found a kindred spirit, our love of crochet and helping others tied us together. After Marinke died by suicide, I felt that it was important to contribute to this project that was created in her honor, as one way to dialogue and raise awareness about mood disorders.
You work in the mental health field, right? Has crochet therapy been introduced there?
I have been a youth worker for the past 20 years of my career and it has been only recently that I have been able to bring crochet into my girls’ group as a craft activity. Most of these girls have been diagnosed with mental health issues. Teaching them some basic crochet skills has helped with their journey to recovery, in ways similar to how it has helped me. Crochet for me is a path to mindfulness; it offers the benefits of meditation.
Can you share a bit more about that?
Mindful crochet is my niche. Although I am not completely unaware of my surroundings when I crochet, once I begin my first chain a quick reaction happens to both my mind and body. I notice how I sit more comfortably, my back and neck ache less, my concentration and focus are clearer. I feel more relaxed and calm.
Of course, it’s not always a perfect fix. There have been times when I have missed my train station due as I've been too involved with the crochet to notice that I am passing my stop! Oh, and I absolutely hate being interrupted in a middle of a stitch count! That tenses me up again.
So it sounds like you crochet on the train?
I crochet on the train when traveling to work. It is quite amazing how many other yarncrafters I have spotted on my journey!
Have you seen crochet help anyone else in your life (in addition to yourself and the girls that you work with).
I understand now why my grandmother crocheted doilies. I believe that she also had a disposition to depression from the stories I've been told. My family is of Greek origin and no doubt the stigma of depression and anxiety would have run rampant in the early 20th century with no other avenue to express sadness or difficulty. Crocheting would have been her opportunity to belong in a social setting as well as a therapeutic tool.
Do you do any other crafts in addition to crochet?
I know how to hand-sew as well as machine sew (albeit not terrifically), and I sometimes incorporate fabric with my crochet designs. I would love to learn how to knit. But nothing beats crochet.
What do you do for healing in addition to crochet?
I used to have regular counseling with a qualified psychologist, although this is now only occasionally as my depression is in remission. I enjoy going for long walks, riding my bicycle, writing and sleeping in when I get the chance.
Let’s wrap up with a special piece that you’ve crocheted:
In September 2016, Athena exhibited an amigurumi steampunk bunny art piece in an Australian exhibit called See Me, Hear Me. This was an exhibition of works from artists living with mental health issues and an effort to raise awareness about these issues while also offering confidence-building to the artists.
“See Me, Hear Me provides artists with an opportunity to exhibit their work, for visitors to gain insight into what it’s like to live with mental illness and provides artists with confidence in their art making and to pursue other interests. Almost all the artists are self taught.” The Benevolent Society, which has exhibited works across Sydney for the past five years and has additional exhibits planned in the months to come, “has organised this exhibition in several areas across Sydney, Australia, with support from Partners in Recovery and local service providers.” Athena’s art piece is called Miss Steampunk Bunny. The bunny was crocheted with Moda Vera Bamboo Cotton & Clekheaton Country Wool. Her skirt fabric is Oh-la-la Mechanical Gold by Wilmington Prints and Gears by Spotlight.
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