Margaret's Story of Crochet Healing Depression
"It was all backwards – I didn't realize I was depressed until I started to feel better, and I started to feel better when I started to crochet.”
I interviewed two dozen women about the health benefits of crochet for my book Crochet Saved My Life. I have since interviewed hundreds, possibly thousands, of others about this topic but those first initial interviews remain close to my heart. I wrote each one up in “Meet the Crafter” format, incorporating my thoughts with some of what they had told me. One of the decisions I had to make when publishing was whether or not to include those “Meet the Crafter” pages. Although some people have said what I feared they would, that it makes the book repetitive, I’m glad I decided to include them. They are special. I love flipping back through the back and reading these little sections. So, today, I wanted to share one with you: Meet Margaret!
Margaret Mills is part of a three-generational household of women crafters. Her mom quilts, her daughter explores a variety of fiber arts and Margaret both crochets and sews. Crocheting has helped her feel better during a bout of depression.
I first learned about Margaret Mills from an article that she wrote for I Heart Art: Portland titled “The Healing Arts and Crafts”. In late 2009 she was watching a lot of movies with her mother who was convalescing and she needed something to keep her busy so she dug out her old crochet hooks and some yarn and got to crafting. I loved her description in the article of what happened next:
“As the rhythmic work, the feel of yarn, and the misshapen poncho taking shape under my hands turned the world from black and white to Technicolor, I realized that I was also dealing with a bout of depression.”
I was moved by Margaret’s vivid language as well as by my own connection to the experience that she went through and so I reached out to see if she would agree to an interview. She did. She explained that the depression kind of crept up on her and she really didn’t realize that it was there until it was too late. She wasn’t sad or crying all of the time or anything like that. She just had a series of things happen to her one on top of another and they added up.
In her own words, Margaret explains about this time:
“I had been through treatment for breast cancer and was just gaining strength after chemo when my mother became seriously ill. What started as a stay with me and my youngest daughter for her to recover from a heart procedure turned into a permanent move.
There were other life stresses as well (financial, my daughter having trouble with school), and it just seemed like everything was about life, death, ambulances, hospitals. Serious stuff – and it just drained the joy out of living without me quite realizing what had happened.”
Margaret didn’t turn to crochet at this time specifically for its healing benefits but more because it gave her something to do. She says:
“It was a bit serendipitous that Mom moved in with all her craft stuff. Mom's main craft has been quilting, but in among the fabric was lots of yarn and crochet hooks. I wanted something to do with my hands while we watched movies in the evening – which is all Mom felt up to doing, and I wanted to spend time with her – so there was the yarn and the hooks. I had crocheted in years past, but it got lost in the pressures of life, divorce, raising kids, etc. Mom's yarn stash just sort of called my name – it was just a little nudge, a little thought: “I bet I could make a stocking cap or something while we watch movies.”
Mom had been wanting to dump all the craft stuff, but she has such good stuff! My daughter and I couldn't bear to give it all away, and we have both been crocheting and sewing since. It really opened up a world for us, and helped us both emotionally, I think. Now I will deliberately use crochet to lift my mood, but at first I just wanted to keep my hands busy while watching TV and being with Mom. It was all backwards – I didn't realize I was depressed until I started to feel better, and I started to feel better when I started to crochet.”
I asked people like Margaret to share with us what they feel are the most beneficial parts of the crochet process in terms of healing as well as how the yarn itself can heal. Margaret had a lot to say about that. First she talked about the process of crochet including the benefits of the planning stage, the actual crochet work and then having a finished product:
“While all three stages work together, I think the part that really pulls me out of negative emotions is the planning stage. I can get absorbed in the “vision” of what I want to make, and either creating a pattern or searching books and the Internet for one, then finding the perfect yarn, etc. I think that is the best part. It sets a goal and gives hope for the future. At the same time, it isn't rocket science or getting a graduate degree; it is a very achievable goal. Also, the anticipation when you are making a gift for someone really lifts the spirit. I designed an “alphabet” afghan for my four-year-old grandson, an afghan stitch blanket with the alphabet cross stitched on it, and I'm sure I got more fun out of making it than he did getting it. Actually doing the work is a close second in healing. I think the work itself brings calmness and a sense of accomplishment.”
Margaret then shared her thoughts about the healing aspects of the color and texture of yarn:
“It was the color of the yarn, the play of one color against another that really drew me. I've read fiction books, like Debbie Macomber's, that speak of “luscious” or “yummy” yarn colors. I do know color is thought to have an impact on emotions, and can be used in decorating to affect mood, so it makes sense. I think the colors are a huge part of the healing power of this type of craft.”
“I tend to spend too much time inside my head (writing, researching, etc.), and find it helps to do “hands-on” work to balance that – crochet, of course, but also gardening or sewing or cooking.”
Margaret finds special value in the relaxing and calming benefits of the repetitive nature of crochet. However, she believes it may also have other health benefits:
“I tend to believe the claims made for the health benefits of crocheting – it is good for stress management, strengthening the immune system, regulating blood pressure. I can only testify to its help with depression, but as a cancer survivor, I consider continuing to crochet part of my general health plan. I'm all for anything that strengthens the immune system! I have also found, as an unexpected bonus, that crocheting taps into an unrealized artistic vein. Creative ideas start with a new yarn project, then spill over into house decorating, gardening and even my writing.”
Read more of these stories in Crochet Saved My Life.
If you read this far, perhaps you liked the work. The work does take work. It only continues with support, so please consider subscribing. My annual rate starts at $10 per year.
