So I was on a bridge the other day when a woman complimented my girls on their frocks. My middle kid started telling the woman that her mum made them, and that I make most of their clothes*. And the woman ……well she said “why?”

Because you are reading the blog I’m going to assume that you understand why. But as I’m totally feeling the craft joy over the last few days I thought I would list a few just in case you want some easy answers if you are ever asked. I’d love to hear some more in the comments.

I've started two new projects in the last week and both of them are totally doing it for me in different ways. Project 1 is the Brooklyn Tweed Shale Baby Blanket and Project 2 is another version of Granny’s Favourite but with colourwork rather than the lace.

Without further ado here are my reasons “why”!

The pure happiness you have inside when lost in making

I talked about it a little bit in my last post – about the thrill of doing something you get lost in. I saw this TED talk the other night which was talking about when we are truly happy. She said that it was often when we weren’t caught up in our ego and were totally lost in what we are doing. There are other places in my life where that happens but craft is the biggest.

The joy of starting something new

After finishing something big I often give myself permission to get my cast on (it would be my sew on too except that I am still far from home without a hoop or sewing machine). And humans seem to love a bit of new don’t they. Pure excitement.

The sensual thrill of working with beautiful materials

I’m using Pear Tree Supersoft to make the yellow baby blanket in the pictures. This yarn is probably my all time favourite yarn but sadly the company is no more. However after extensive stalking of people’s Ravelry stash, due to the fact I love the yarn and due to the fact my SIL loves this colour (she is the one having the baby!), I finally turned up some of more of this yarn. I don’t even want to think about it’s transport miles, but the feeling of this yarn, the softness, the thick, the thin running through your hands is pure sensual joy! It truly is supersoft and yet it retains it’s sturdiness and has structure. It has a special place in my heart and so every time I am working with it I am aware of its qualities. It is all in the fingertips.

The meditative joy of making something for someone special

The baby blanket to me is also much more than the joy of working with the beautiful yarn. Attached to it is all the sentiment and love for the new person who will be born and receive it. Thoughts about that baby (and his/her lovely older sibiling) mean that knitting this blanket is a meditation of sorts on the love to come.

The absolute excitement of coming up with an idea that sings

We have been travelling for over four months now and one child has done that growing thing in spades. Her only cardy has sleeves that are almost at her elbows, so I thought I would whip her up something before I headed home for The Craft Sessions. I have been enjoying colourwork so much I wanted to do a little more, but when choosing from my box in the car I had super limited options. I used two yarns I wouldn’t normally have thought to pair and I made a little magic. By accident. I cannot put this thing down I am so excited.