The products of imagination and skills

Monday. Sometimes just the mention of this word gives us not-so-happy thoughts... as you know, it is the first workday for many so that part of life is not that attractive. The weekend passes just too quickly and we are again at the beginning of a new, several-day working cycle. But, we can also look at it from a more positive and colourful side. Work is creating. Developing our skills and creativity, even if we think it is a repetitive and stressful experience - the work.

So, just a few moments ago I subscribed to this community, NeedleWorkMonday. And what a coincidence as both Monday and Work is mentioned in the name of it. The needle part...? That is the part from where I started my search for where to publish this post that will show some crocheted stuff I saw at one market. It happened a few weeks ago, at that eco-event I visited. I already mentioned it, as there were many other stalls offering a lot of handmade items, and live music on both days (Saturday and Sunday). I had a lot of fun, I enjoyed so much the whole weekend.

The stands that especially caught my attention were the ones that had knitted and woven products on display. For me, knitting and crocheting have always remained an art beyond my abilities. And art, as you create from some threads a whole new product using your imagination and knitting technique. What I am missing from this process?

Imagination? I am a musician, so imagination does play a huge role in my interpretation.

Technical proficiency? I am definitely missing this part. To express it with the most honest words - I have no clue! 😅 I have never learned to do it well.

I had the opportunity, as my grandmother used to make us knitted sweaters, scarves, and hats. One year, I tried to learn it from her. I was shown the basic rules and steps. I got the needles and knitting wool and started my learning process. It was interesting, I can't deny it. But the results were never good. Well, it was a disaster, even for a scarf. I always messed up something, so there were holes or clumsy nodes. Also, I never knew how to finish my piece, and how to make the last node. And it was just a basic rectangular scarf thing.

The same happened with my crocheting skills. One of my aunts was very good at crocheting, she made a ton of tablecloths, curtains, little decorations, and even cardigans. I stayed at the pre-beginner level, for me it was more difficult than knitting, so my career finished before it started 😂 Imagine me crafting a top of a bikini like this one - just in dreams...

I truly admire those ones, all of you in this community who can make magic with the needles. Your fingers are skilful already for crafting any of these pieces. Well, my fingers are dexterous for the piano, maybe it would not be impossible to give me another chance. What I know is that at the moment when I was still a child I didn't develop this skill. I guess, my focus went to music.

Still, I enjoy so much seeing all this and observing the crafted items. It needs a lot of time and work, patience and imagination. Maybe you already have some patterns but definitely, these products have to be visualized in the mind before they are made. Isn't it true? These clothes, pillows, chandeliers, dreamcatchers, earrings, hairpins, and hanging plant pot holders are the fruits of your imagination and crocheting techniques.

The same applies to crafting these little toys. They were showcased on the stands that focus on animal protection. They sell handicrafts and use the collected funds to help organizations that take care of abandoned animals. Mostly cats and dogs, but one stall was for the protection of horses and ponies.

The offer on this market was colourful. Everything was so cute and made with attention and love. From tiny little decorative items to more complicated stuff, all need time, effort and artistry. An admirable skill that is leaving me in awe. Work like this one is something pleasant, even on Mondays :))