How Hobbies Give Back
A joyful revival of handicrafts has gathered momentum slowly, as storms do, and I’ve indulged it. There’s a natural bent in humans to make, be it a painting or a meal. We are a creative species and our whole being rejoices when used with intention.
I began taking classes when my hands ached from their mouse-shaped curve, a product of my full-time design job, plus extra hours building the freelance design company that was my end goal. “Knitting will help,” a friend promised, signing us up for a cheap evening course at a senior center. That first class, the teacher yelled, “You’re doing it all wrong!” and my horror at being singled out nearly killed my interest.
As it turns out, I was simply left-handed. (Now Darling Jadore offers left-handed tutorials.)
But I saw people gathered, creating things with their hands and a twist of cheap yarn, the conversation weaving its own pattern. Eventually I mirrored the patient knitters, slowly looping my wool into a misshapen scarf.
Knitting awakened in me the childhood awe – one I’d forgotten. The possibility of creation is addicting, and completing a project in a few hours, autonomously, was a habit that fell away before college when time suddenly abbreviated. My hands ached for use. Purposeful, fulfilling use and I had found it.
Find Your New Hobby
Browse a craft store like Maker + Stitch in Edwards or Serendipity in Salida and pay attention to what draws your attention. Many handcrafts are quite cheap to begin and need only simple tools like needles or a wooden hoop with some fiber. Snow Mountain Ranch YMCA in Granby hosts a variety of craft courses at low-cost, which allows you to try out a hobby without any commitment.
Seek Out Local Materials
Small craft businesses like Owl’s Nest Quilting in Grand Junction stock kits for beginners and provide hands-on instruction. Colorado offers unique, hand-dyed fibers from local animal lovers like Fire Mountain Fiber in Hotchkiss.
Online Class Options
But if you lack the time or motivation to leave home, you can find video-based tutorials online. YouTube has an amazing range of offerings, some exceptionally informative, to get you started.
Creativebug.com also has low-cost, subscription-based classes that cover the full gamut of crafting possibilities – paper to paint to fiber.
The way I learn with my hands is of a different type, a full body experience. My hands mostly knit without me now, and it’s calming work. When the pattern calls for counting, I become a distracted listener for a time, I’ll admit. But unlike so much of life, there’s a tangible item awaiting me on the needles. That work, and the ensuing pride, it calls.