I've blogged before about how crochet is good for our health; and lately, I've been seeing lots of references about how many have turned to art endeavors during the Covid-19 pandemic to maintain a healthy outlook.
Christine Boland in FashionUnited writes: "Thanks to the pandemic, we've seen a rise in all things handmade, not only in fashion but also in interior design. This has brought about a renewed interest in traditional techniques used for and evolved over centuries by indigenous communities who live close to nature.
Not surprisingly, their intricate craftsmanship forms a major inspiration for the SS22 fashion collections. By mixing these artisan techniques and handcrafted creations with high-tech materials, the resulting designs showcase a very modern take on century old textures."
Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, a Bollywood actress, has a diploma in Applied Arts, however her colors and brushes laid forgotten in a box until she discovered them during the lockdown. "Botanical art became a way of life for me over the next six months and I had the patience to sit and create for hours. I wanted to go back to the process of creating without any deadlines or rules,” she shares.
"The stress of the ongoing pandemic can be released through patterns, colours and textures. 'It’s like yoga… meditation. Art therapy has become an important part of the human ecosystem. What you cannot say, you write, paint, cook or crochet.' She has started an art journal, a page a day. 'It will be nice to look back on this journey, which helped me reclaim an important part of myself that I had lost in the flurry of work and responsibilities during trying times,'” she exults."
Crandall DuffyCredit: Heidi Stanton
"A Quiet Yarn": More from past healthful crochet stories. "According to the Craft Yarn Council, the number of women under 45 who know how to crochet or knit doubled between 1996 and 2002, climbing from 9 to 18%. The most-cited motivation: Relaxation and stress relief!"
Personally, I used the "free time" I felt I had been given during the pandemic to dig deeper into my artistic abilities, and to enjoy the challenges of pushing myself to create. I even gave water painting a try! Now seems like a good time to re-visit the topic, both by looking back at our realizations that crafting is a healthy activity; and thinking about how we have found that crafting continues to help us cope in healthy ways, post-pandemic.
Christine Boland in FashionUnited writes: "Thanks to the pandemic, we've seen a rise in all things handmade, not only in fashion but also in interior design. This has brought about a renewed interest in traditional techniques used for and evolved over centuries by indigenous communities who live close to nature.
Credit: Pexel & Unsplash
"A mandala is a circular figure representing the universe in Hindu and Buddhist symbolism." Starting August 10, 2021, an Installation, "Crafty Culture: Make a Mandala Project," will open in Princes' Garden in Rushmoor, England. Initiated by the Hampshire Cultural Trust during the pandemic, "The goal was to bring the community together and out of isolation", explains Alana Jones, Community Programme Coordinator at the West End Centre where the mandalas will be displayed.
"The project has given many people a sense of community spirit and improved mental health during lockdown," Jones continues. "After the past year, we wanted to bring some vibrancy to the town Centre to give people something to smile about and to talk about as well."
July 19, 2021: In Your Area Community News by Declan Carey
Mandala
Alli Winter, a 17-year-old from Tennessee has battled rare illnesses most of her life. As a child she learned to crochet and has recently gotten into crocheting daily. Thru her Etsy shop, hooksNspoonsCo, she sells crafty items and takes orders to bring awareness to others about her rare condition.
July 14, 2021: WFTS Tampa Bay: by KMTV staff
Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, a Bollywood actress, has a diploma in Applied Arts, however her colors and brushes laid forgotten in a box until she discovered them during the lockdown. "Botanical art became a way of life for me over the next six months and I had the patience to sit and create for hours. I wanted to go back to the process of creating without any deadlines or rules,” she shares.
"The stress of the ongoing pandemic can be released through patterns, colours and textures. 'It’s like yoga… meditation. Art therapy has become an important part of the human ecosystem. What you cannot say, you write, paint, cook or crochet.' She has started an art journal, a page a day. 'It will be nice to look back on this journey, which helped me reclaim an important part of myself that I had lost in the flurry of work and responsibilities during trying times,'” she exults."
From: Roshmila Bhattacharyya, The Free Press Journal
Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Young designers Crandall Duffy, Gui Rosa, ISA BOULDER, Natalia Fedner and Sydney Pimbley are taking crochet from lockdown hobby to club essential.
From: i-D, "Crochet Became the Summer of 21's Sexiest Trend"
BlueGreen Squid
"A Quiet Yarn": More from past healthful crochet stories. "According to the Craft Yarn Council, the number of women under 45 who know how to crochet or knit doubled between 1996 and 2002, climbing from 9 to 18%. The most-cited motivation: Relaxation and stress relief!"
"The crafts "require a subliminal concentration that is very soothing. You are doing something with your hands, feeling the tactile pleasure of yarn, and at the same time talking." says Susan Mischer, owner of Knit Cafe in L. A. "Even if you don't know anyone in the room, you feel connected!"
From Natural Health
What has been helpful to you during the last year and a half during the pandemic. Have you found ways that keep you grounded and happy?
What has been helpful to you during the last year and a half during the pandemic. Have you found ways that keep you grounded and happy?
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