crochet saved my life

Hi everyone! :)

So most of you have heard about this amazing new book by Crochet Concupiscence‘s very own Kathryn Vercillo, titled Crochet Saved My Life.

What I haven’t shared yet is that I myself was interviewed for this book by Kathryn, to focus on my Asperger’s Syndrome and how crochet helps me cope with the daily issues of having Autism.

Let me first share this YouTube video with you all; for me, it perfectly describes what Autism is.

In this video, Sadie describes what it feels like to have Autism, especially what it sounds like. And that’s what it’s like for me, too. And that is just one of the senses! I react the same way to bright lights too, so I’m not particularly fond of Summer, because it is just too bright! :) (and the heat, and the humidity… don’t even get me started)

At the end of the video, the question ‘What do you do to cope?’ arises. For me, that’s where crochet comes in! :) Here’s an excerpt from the book:

Having Asperger’s isn’t all bad. Marinke points out that she has an above average intellect and that she’s a very creative person. And she has found that crocheting allows her a creative outlet that also assists her in managing her Asperger’s symptoms. She shares:

“A lot of people with Autism find repetitive activities or actions soothing. At the office (when I still had a job) I could be doing the same thing for a while, such as cutting images and saving them. I would go into a trance and just cut, save, cut, save, cut, save until it was finished. ‘Regular’ people might find this boring to do but for me it was relaxing!
Crocheting works the same. Crochet is basically repeating the same thing over and over again, and for me that flow really helps me get through the day. But at the same time, you have to keep thinking about what you’re doing, so it never gets boring. And you get to be creative while you’re at it – what more can you want?”

It was in 2012, a year after her diagnosis, that Marinke figured out that crochet could be healing for her. She was really depressed after the diagnosis, to the point where she had to be hospitalized for three months. She knew that she needed something to do to keep her busy while she was in the hospital. She thought that crochet looked cool, so she decided to teach herself.
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And although Marinke may be socially awkward in large groups in person, crochet has helped her feel like part of a great community ever since she started her crochet blog in May 2011. She shares:

I get a lot of responses to thing I post and that makes me feel so so blessed. I’m really part of a community that before last year I never knew even excisted! Also, since I started crocheting, a lot of people in my family have started as well, because I told them how much it helps you when there’s something troubling you. I have a lot of aunts that have made countless bags, potholders and stuffed animals because of what I told them!”

Kathryn has interviewed 23 women for this book, and also shares her own personal story about coping with depression.

I for one loved reading this book. I had NO idea that something so simple as keeping your hands busy helps so many women, all around the world!

And I just want to thank you, my lovely readers, for keeping me motivated on a daily basis, and for making me feel so welcome in this amazing bloggy family. I love you all ♥

You can buy this book in print or for your Kindle.

xo,
wink