I am a Chronic Pain sufferer!! This seems to fascinate some as they wonder how I do the things I do – the answer is easy – with great difficulty and a lot of frustration!!
Over the years I have had to come to terms with my losses – for example, gone are the days when I could decide to whip up a long dress to wear to the cabaret ball the next night – the sheer frustration of not being able to do things the way I always had, meant that I just stopped doing them for many years. I say many years as I have ‘celebrated’ my silver anniversary with chronic pain – I no longer remember what pain free is like.
Anyway, I needed to find something I could do, that didn’t require much brain power. Fibromyalgia which came along in later years , holding hands with Chronic Fatigue, means a lot of brain ‘fog’ and there are days when I can barely function – those days I have learnt to stay away from my sewing or be prepared to unpick everything the next day!!
One of my ‘strategies’ for managing my pain, is to not give it any extra power….. so, against all odds, when my pain levels increase, I still try to do something – something where I feel I am contributing to society and am not just a blob on it.
I saw a group on FB asking for squares to make into rugs for the ill and elderly and I thought what a great way to use up some of that wool – I swear, I have no idea where it all comes from!!
I decided on Granny Squares!! I had learnt to crochet many years ago but had never made a Granny Square – that’s how I was – straight to the doiley for me!! Now I am happy to have found the Granny Square – I can make one without thinking much, I only have to be able to count to 4 and like all crochet, it is extremely easy to pull undone when you make a mistake. I also decided, eventhough there are many lovely Granny Squares, mine would be the one colour – keep it simple remember.
So I gathered some wool, grabbed a hook and got started…
One round:
Two rounds:
Then 3:
Square all done 6″ x 6″
They look OK don’t they!!
I used to worry that I couldn’t do enough – that was until I realised that ‘enough’ isn’t measured in squares!!
So now I carry my squares with me when we go in the motorhome – travelling is not good for pain, but the friendship and adventure I enjoy make me feel victorious!! AND I get to make more squares!!!
I’ll get these packaged ready for the Post Office!
Until next time
Nanny xx
I admire your ever so positive attitude, Margie!!! I haven’t crocheted a granny square for a LONG time.. it’s the only thing I could ever crochet.
Oh thank you so much Pam! Like everyone, I do have my days!! 🙂