Hiding in corners…

Latibulate: 17th century, to hide in a corner until the situation improves. I was introduced to this word over the weekend. I think though that if that is what we had all done as the pandemic approached we would all still be there two years on. So whilst there are times when to latibulate would be wonderful, its not always possible. It cannot provide a long term solution and indeed self-isolation can actually lead to further isolation.

In a Facebook group I saw a woman was asking what we thought about some squares that she had been crocheting. Apparently there were some mistakes, though I couldn’t see them. She explained that whilst she would like them to be good they were particularly important for her mental health. She suffers with anxiety and depression and crochet really helps. I think its strange I have knitted for nearly 50 years and have only crocheted for about 2 but I find that crochet is more calming than knitting. It is possible that it is because for me, crochet needs a greater level of concentration than knitting and it grows much faster. So in terms of mindfulness and the shutting out the rest of the world, then crochet, it would seem, is the better activity. Mindful activities are about the here and now and not the what if or what might be. I am sure there will be a number of people who read this and think no, knitting is much better. What I would say is that each of us need to find what works for us. It would seem that for the woman concerned crochet is helping her not to latibulate!

On Saturday I did a Christmas market. It was absolutely freezing and in some respects it was a waste of time. Though I had a conversation with a man who it appears works for the BBC in Ireland. He seemed interested in my blog and took my card. I do think that when you are trying to build something you never know what encounters may be useful. I saw on-line an advert wanting people to apply to write for a crochet magazine, so I have done that. I also appear to have taken a couple of orders over the weekend for different items. So there are plenty of positives to be found.

Yesterday I was having a conversation with my husband about the idea of a knit and natter group or similar. He and I thought it would be fun to start something. Later yesterday we dropped in to Sur La Route a café in Huelgoat. I had taken my crochet with me. A lady came in with her knitting and started talking to me. We discussed the possibility of such a group with the café owner and it starts this Wednesday at 2.30pm. If you are in Huelgoat drop in and say hello! I do like to get things happening!

I am now off to make a curry in my insta-pot. So until tomorrow…