Cover Photo by Julie Michelle
In the worst throes of depression I found myself sobbing on the bathroom floor, the tip of a kitchen knife pointed into my wrist. I was aching to break the flesh and bring the pain to an end. Through sheer force of will, I pried my own desperate hands open and replaced the knife with a crochet hook. Then I crocheted to save my life.
In this book, you will get to know me through my story of depression and healing. And you will get to know other women as well. You will meet Aurore who crochets to stay in touch with reality as she deals with ongoing psychiatric hallucinations. You will meet Laurie who made a new life with crochet after years of a life filled with abuse. You will meet Tammy whose crochet helps her with the ups and downs of living with Chronic Lyme Disease. You will meet Liza who crochets through the anxiety of having temporary bouts of blindness caused by an undiagnosed health condition.
The two dozen women whose stories are shared in this book are the women who hook to heal. We are not alone. Studies shows that crocheters are numerous; research and anecdotal evidence show that people of all ages, from all walks of life, with all types of health conditions may find healing through their hooks and yarn. Join us on our journey.
Here are some of the truths these women tell:
Hæklet reddede mit liv: The Mental and Physical Health Benefits of Crochet is available in print or you can buy it on Kindle.
Note to Wholesalers: Crochet Saved My Life is available through distributors like Ingram. It is also sold through Amazon’s CreateSpace page and you can use their Direct Reseller Program to get the wholesale rates through that channel.
Commissions: The author is intersted in working with bookstores, yarn stores and crafters with booths at various events and will consider placing this title on commission. Contact her for more information.
Kathryn is currently available for interviews and guest posts. Contact her here to ask questions or to request her digital media kit for this title.
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I'm a knitter not a hooker:) but I really want to read your book. Knitting has seen me through some really rough patches in the last decade +.
@knittingwoman The book talks a lot about knitting benefits as well. Although I don't knit, I've talked to many people about their experience of healing with needles. :)
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Thanks for the email! I'm v interested in this book. I've enjoyed reading about the contributors. My heart goes out to you all as I've been there with depression, and to Aurore, as I've also had hallucinations (as part of bipolar)........btw the linky for the 'join the maillist' on this post doesn't seem to be working- it goes to a 404 message.
@HelenaSullivan Warm healing thoughts coming your way as you continue to thrive through bipolar ...
Thanks for the heads up on the link - it appears to be working on my end but I'm going to look into it.
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I was fortunate to stumble upon your book on Amazon, not realising it has only just come out! I've had it 3 weeks, and read it cover to cover. Thank you, Jeg vil 25 with severe asthma, arthritis and depression, and this has helped me so much in expressing how learning crochet in Jan this year has helped me. A fantastic book! Xx
Thank you so very much for sharing your story. Keep hanging in there, moving forward one day at a time, one loop at a time!
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Okay, I entered the contests for the giveaway via my blog danidoesdoilies.blogspot.com. Thanks for the opportunity to win your great book!
I found out about your book through Sarah London's blog. I'm a newbie at crochet, but what you describe here is still familiar to me. My experiences aren't as awful as some mentioned here, but I have lived with depression for a number of years. Last year I was struggling particularly badly with chronic fatigue, and there were many days that I couldn't do much more than sit on the lounge in front of the TV. I've loved cross stitch since I was a young girl, but last year was by far my most prolific period. Doing cross stitch meant I felt that I was productive. Even if I couldn't do the housework or write an article, at least I was producing something. This year I taught myself to crochet, so now I can produce items that have a function beyond beauty - slippers, blankets, dishcloths, and who knows what else! I'm looking forward to reading your book - I think I will be able to relate in some small way to your stories.
Hearing about your book also reminded me of this comic written by a friend of mine, from an excellent anthology of comics about depression called Kinds of Blue: http://hivemindedness.com/kindsofblue/knitting_therapy/
@Larakate Thank you so much for sharing your story here. You've highlighted a key issue for people dealing with depression (as well as many other conditions) which is that you often battle not only the illness but low self-esteem caused by a lack of productivity from the illness. Being able to create beautiful, functional things for yourself, your home and others helps to combat that in a really positive way. I wish you all the best!
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I'm so glad a book on this exact topic has finally been written! I've enjoyed reading your blog so I'm looking forward to reading your book too.
@VashtiBraha Thank you so very, very much!!
Seneste blogindlæg: Excerpt from the Intro to Crochet Saved My Life
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Kathryn, I was reading through all of your wonderfully inspiring blogs on crochet and healing this week when it suddenly hit me that your new book "Hæklet reddede mit liv" is the crocheters equivalent of the AA Bible called The Big Book! Most people have heard of the 12 Steps but The Big Book is probably most familiar to AA and NA members. It is an invaluable book that's been around for many many years. It consists of stories of severe alcoholics who were not only saved but lifted up and redeemed by AA.
Each story has special meaning for individual members. There is always one story that knocks you off your feet because it's YOUR story. There are special Big Book meetings where each week another story is read aloud and discussed by members.
As I read the stories in your book, more than a few hit me so hard that I began to cry. Although I did not write them, I suddenly realized that I was reading my own story. This is a transformative experience. It lets a person who is isolated and in pain know that no matter how difficult their life is there is someone else who suffered as they are suffering and came through on the other side.
It lets us know that in this "valley of tears" we are not alone. Thank you thank you thank you.
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@Sacredcrocheter I am humbled by your wonderful comment. I don't even know what to say except thank you so very much for sharing this thought with me. *hugs*
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@CrochetKitten Thanks so much for spreading the word about the book. I'm so excited to get it out there!
@CrochetBlogger Of course! You've spread plenty of my links--thought I'd return the favor. It looks like a good read.
@momwithahook Thanks so much! I really hope that you enjoy it. Check out the section in the depression chapter that touches on grief and Laurinda's story.
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I just got your book in the mail. The second paragraph of your intro that started 'Prior to this terrible period' was ME! All except it had gone on for over 50 years. ..I bless you with all my heart. BigHug
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@nowvoyager05 Thank you so very much for sharing this. Putting my heart out there with this book is a little bit nerve-wracking. I can't help but wonder if anyone will be able to relate to what I've said. Although I obviously wouldn't wish what I went through on anyone, I am so glad to know that it touched you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the book!
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This speaks to my heart and soul! I was struck by transverse myelitis in 2006 and left paralyzed, wheel-chair dependent, jobless and away from home. I returned to crocheting, began to design and teach crochet to the other residents of HUD, special-needs highrise. Crocheting gave me a new community when I had lost several others because of this devastating disability. Though impoverished, I could still create useful gifts of beauty, dolls, sculptures. As I lost my other artforms - glass and large scale paper -- I took refuge in crochet, and began to learn more, and find a path. So I look forward to reading about others' journeys. Thank you for gathering and presenting these experiences.
Thanks so much for sharing your story Akua! You've touched on so many of the things that I've heard again and again: crochet connects you to a community, gives you something productive you can do even if you lose the ability to do other things and offers a portable, affordable option for creating. I'm so glad that you not only found crochet but are bringing it to others!
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@edbites Thanks so much! I never could have known when I first picked up the hook just how much it would help me.
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I'm excited to read this, crochet has helped me so much as well. And it definitely saved me just last week, I crocheted for hours on end to keep myself going, I'm still crocheting up a storm, it really keeps those bad ideas away
Thanks Casey. I'm really happy to hear that your crochet is helping you in this way. Keep hanging on to it and stitching your way into better days!
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I cannot wait to read this book! I have fought depression for years, and a diagnosis of cancer pushed me off the cliff to the darkest of places. Then the anxiety and panic attacks decided to join the party! My sister taught me to crochet at 12 but I had not picked up a hook in years. Unable to work, I began to crochet again. It filled a void, and made me find self-worth in the beautiful things I made. When people started to offer to pay me for my work, the light shone just a little brighter. I have a long way to go, my health is slowly returning and my psychiatrist is a great help, but nothing has brought me peace and an inner calm like picking up that hook and my favorite yarn. Thanking you for your courage to share your story!!!
@Roberta N Thanks Roberta! I really appreciate you sharing some of your story here. Depression is such a lonely place and although I'm out of the woods now I know that maintaining connections to others in as many ways as possible is a really important part of staying healed. The book will be out in a few weeks and I would love your feedback after reading it!
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