Help Determine the Healing Benefits of Crochet

This post is to spread the word about a survey that Kathryn Vercillo of Crochet Concupiscience has created. The results of this survey will be very interesting! Please take a few minutes to do the survey, as the information that she collects from this survey will be invaluable.

Here are all of the details about the survey: 

A new crochet health survey has been launched to study how crochet heals people. This is a 27-question survey (mostly multiple choice) designed to gather detailed information about the physical and mental health issues that are helped through crochet work and to what degree the craft is helpful. The survey is produced by Kathryn Vercillo, an expert in the topic of healing through crochet.

Kathryn Vercillo is the author of Crochet Saved My Life, a book about the craft’s health benefits. In the book she shares her own story of crocheting to heal from chronic depression. She also interviews two dozen other women who share their stories of hooking to heal. In addition, she aggregates the available research into crafting to heal.

Several formal studies have been conducted that show crochet to be healing. The new study is designed to add to the available information on this topic. One unique thing about it is that the study focuses specifically on crochet as opposed to lumping it in with other crafts. Another unique feature is that it goes beyond asking the question “does crochet help?” (because we know that it does) and explores how it helps, to what extent and for what symptoms.

Kathryn Vercillo will do an in-depth analysis of the results of this study. She will use that information to publish a full report on the health benefits of crafting. She will also use the information in future publications and it will serve as the foundation for continued research into this important topic.

A survey like this has the potential to lead to a number of benefits including:

• Credibility to get crochet into more settings including hospitals, recovery centers, in-patient therapy groups, prisons and schools
• Information that can be given to doctors and therapists to help them understand how crochet can heal
• Help for individuals who want to learn how crochet can help them heal
• Lays the groundwork for additional research opportunities into the topic

You can help support the craft of crochet by contributing your response to this new survey. The survey is available athttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/crochetsaveslives.

The Book That Inspired Me to Crochet

Some people have asked me how I got started crocheting. My dear grandmother Evie, started teaching me when I was about 11. I used to crochet with her a little every summer when I would visit her, but not much when I got back home. I knitted more because my grandmother Joan, who was a  knitter, lived very close to me. Evie gave me a good foundation in crochet, and little did I know, one day I would have a crochet career!

When I was living in Atlanta, Georgia, I happened to pick up a copy of The Crochet Workbook by the legendary Sylvia Cosh and James Walters. Their creative approach to the craft changed my whole perspective of crochet and what you could do with it. I had never really been one to follow a pattern, so their freeform method of creating an interesting textured fabric was really exciting to me! I went through the book and taught myself various stitches that I used to make my first scrumbles.

This book introduced me to freeform crochet, but it isn't just for freeform crocheters. The ideas and techniques in this book could be used to strengthen the skills and inspire any crocheter! An amazing book that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend for your crochet library!

Counting Down to the Knit and Crochet Show!

I can't believe I will be at the Knit and Crochet show 39 days! It will be the first time I will be attending one of these conferences, and the idea of meeting so many wonderful people in the industry in person, is very exciting! 

I am looking forward to doing a book signing with my co-author, Ellen Gormley on Saturday, July 26th at 1:30pm in the Elegant Ewe's booth. We will be signing Crocheting Clothes Kids Love, immediately following a signing by the amazing Margaret Hubert, who was my mentor before I became a professional member of the CGOA. We are planning to have sample garments and accessories from the book on display during the signing as well, so you will really be able to see what is in the book!  If any of you are going to be at the conference, please stop by and say hello. I would love to meet you!

Book Review and Interview in Kuwait Moms Guide!

Now that Crocheting Clothes Kids Love is available in Kuwait, Jamie Etheridge of Kuwait Moms Guide, recently did a review of the book as well as an interview with me. Kuwait Moms Guide Newsletter is an invaluable resource for Moms in Kuwait, and it also has useful general information for Moms anywhere. Jamie is a fantastic mom, and she really puts her heart into everything she does. I am so thrilled that she featured the book in her newsletter! You can read the both the review and interview on her website.