Staying Sane in Pandemic by Crocheting

It's interesting to look at someone crochet and ask myself, “Can I do that? It seems difficult ” Then I saw myself with gray hair and wrinkled skin sitting on a rocking chair and enjoying crocheting things for my grandchildren while looking out the window and thinking back about my life That’s the picture I saw Just my future flashed right in front of me

Unfortunately, the pandemic happened. Schools were closed. Everyone panicked about not catching the virus Everyone stayed home As a workaholic person adjusting to the new dull life at home, I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t sleep well, I couldn’t eat. I want to teach and see my students again

I started thinking, “I have to stay sane!” So one day, I went shopping at one of my favorite shops, Daiso I forgot how long I was standing in front of the crochet needles wondering if I would go down that road. “It wouldn’t kill you, Elaine. Buy it,” that small voice said somewhere in my head There was some hesitation I am interested but I am not really interested It’s like the modern dating world.

by Elaine Joy Sanao

I took it and grabbed any yarn I could find Oh, boy. When I got home I felt like a child opening a new box of toys my mom got me I was excited I unwrapped the needle, took my yarn, opened Youtube, and searched, “How to crochet as a beginner” But then, I was overwhelmed I had no idea what to make.

I decided to make something for myself as a start, so when it wouldn’t turn out well, at least it reminded me of how I started. So I made a headband, which by the way I’ve been using for almost 4 years now.

Crocheting at first was challenging It took hours to finish an easy pattern and my hand hurt. And yet it didn’t stop me. There is something about crocheting that makes me feel safe and at peace. I feel like every time I crochet, I sink into a world of the unknown and come back to reality and realize that I have been crocheting for more than five hours.

When I’m sad, I crochet When I’m overwhelmed, I crochet. When I’m stressed, I crochet. It gives me a level of comfort I have never felt before

By crocheting, I then realized that my love language is giving gifts So I started to crochet for other people. One December, I crocheted Christmas coasters for my teachers at school. Everyone was surprised and asked me how long it took me to finish more than 30 coasters. They were happy and I was happy too

After that, other things followed. I crocheted Jack-o-Lantern keychains for my English club members, purse, and heart keychains I also made a winter cardigan for my supervisor which made her so impressed by the pattern I used and glad to receive a present on her birthday. I also made a baby blanket for my Japanese friend who just had a baby

Bags, scarf, and purses are a work in progress now I made a few bags for some teachers in school too. It’s been four years now since I began crocheting and it still amazes me everytime I finish a project I love learning new patterns and making presents for other people. My family and friends told me that I could start a business with it That’s a wonderful compliment. Maybe one day, who knows?

Crocheting didn’t just help me with my sanity during the pandemic, but it also helped me grow closer and have stronger connections with my friends and colleagues. I thought I wasn’t ready to try something I was really interested in doing, but now I am obsessed and even love it more In life, we may say, “It looks or sounds difficult. Can I do that?” You wouldn’t know unless you try There is no right time for everything So give yourself a challenge and have fun. It’s like, now or never So cliched but it works

For those interested in starting crocheting or have been crocheting, please let me know I would love to talk to you about it!