We’re just about six months out now, and the calendar has exploded with wedding-related appointments and to-do’s. It feels good to see our matrimonial train start to pick up steam, but I’ve begun to really appreciate the quiet nights at home that were (until recently) a given. I’ll post about our general progress soon, but for now I thought I’d share something that’s been a great source of stress relief for me: crocheting the favor bags to hold our tree seedlings.
red one!
There will be 60 of them, and each has three parts: the bag, the drawstring, and the granny square for decoration. That means I have 180 separate things to crochet… not counting some other wedding-related projects and a gift for a member of our wedding party who’s expecting her first child (squee!). It may seem as if the sheer number of things I need to make would add to my stress instead of reducing it. However, I’m quite fond of yarnwork, especially repetitive stitches and projects I know from start to finish, and I’ve already got ten of these babies under my belt. So far, so good.
red and orange
They are of course not quite as nicely done as I’d like them to be, but I have to keep reminding myself that imperfect means handmade… and handmade is important to me. Handmade means time and effort and thought– I keep remembering when my mother was working on an afghan for someone and told me she tries to put love into every stitch. In that way, crocheting can be a kind of meditation: it quiets down the part of my mind that’s worrying over where the tables will be set up or who will take all the decorations home afterward or how I really don’t like the way I look in pictures, and helps me focus on the underlying purpose of the day.
all three colors
Although Stacy and I have been together for just about ten years, this marriage will be a new journey, and in it I want to carefully build something beautiful bit by bit, listening to advice from people I love but using my own creativity and knowledge as well. I want to be able to laugh at but also learn from mistakes (both hers and mine), and I want to be conscious of the fact that small actions influence the pattern of our daily lives together. I want to honor the friends and family members who have encouraged and supported us, and to be sure that those links stay strong and vibrant. I think about those things a lot as I make these little bags, on the bus into work or while I’m on a conference call or in bed before I go to sleep, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to use my hands to express those thoughts.
Mitchell 'helping' with the yarn
What are you doing to keep yourself grounded as your wedding approaches?
I think they are coming out really well, even cuter than when I pictured them.
I met a woman once who said that she always made one mistake in whatever she was knitting so that everyone would know it was handmade. I always keep it in mind whenever I am making something. I also understand that it is hard to let anything leave your hands when it is not perfect.
So cute! Love ‘em! It’s going to be so great to see everyone taking home something you’ve invested so much of your time, thought, and love into.
These are so lovely!
These are awesome…and your cat looks just like one of mine.
Thanks, all! It’s nice to get an outside opinion on them (and especially one that isn’t as critical as I am!). Ms. Sparrow, that reminds me of what my friend told me about a conversation that she overheard at a yarn store. A customer was seeking guidance on something she was knitting, and the store employee complimented her on how nicely it was coming along. The customer said, “Oh, thanks, but it bothers me that there are so many little holes in it.” The employee replied, “Ma’am, with all due respect, you’re fashioning clothing out of string. OF COURSE there are holes in it.” I chuckle every time I think about it.
Monica, I know, they do look really similar! And your little guy has the black stuff on his nose too! If cats were animals that liked playdates, I’d totally want to set one up, but I have a feeling that it wouldn’t go over well.
Alyia- that is hilarious! yarn better than string, but, yea, they are totally the same.
Damn, Alyia, I think you just started your vows: “Although Stacy and I have been together for just about ten years, this marriage will be a new journey, and in it I want to carefully build something beautiful bit by bit, listening to advice from people I love but using my own creativity and knowledge as well. I want to be able to laugh at but also learn from mistakes (both hers and mine), and I want to be conscious of the fact that small actions influence the pattern of our daily lives together.”
It took my breath away.
Thank you so much. It’s awesome to be sharing this with you!