In previous posts I have noted the closure of my local yarn shop (LYS) with sadness, but with the understanding that throughout our lives, things change. Our ability to roll with these changes is key to our survival, but also a factor in whether we shrivel or thrive in the face of challenges.
Toward the end of the LYS clearing our their inventory, I stopped by to share my sadness at the closure, get some final supplies from their particular collection of yarn, and bid the owner and employees farewell and good luck. At the last moment, I thought that perhaps I would also purchase a Addi crochet hook since I didn't have any of that kind, and there was a store-wide sale on everything in the store, so "why not?!".
The shop owner not only showed me one, but encouraged me to crochet a few stitches to see if I would like them, as they do have a slightly different "feel" to them when you crochet. I hold my hooks like a knife, and these work great for me, but I am guessing that the pencil-hold folks may find these to be unwieldy and hard to use.
I liked the feel of the hook, and said I would take it; THEN she told me that she had one remaining full set of these hooks,.... also at the storewide discounted price. I decided that was a deal I wouldn't soon again encounter, and took her up on the offer.
What in the WORLD does all of this have to do with the title, "Resilience as an act of Resistance"?
In many corners of the United States, and indeed larger world, things are in a state of chaos. Some people are actively protesting, while others are launching action campaigns to stop supporting certain businesses by withdrawing our attention, and shopping habits (money) from them.
I take no hard stance on either of those options, but my opinion is that unless some hardship or travesty is guaranteed to be short term in its existence, brief protests and pushback aren't going to be effective in the long term, and MAY even engender some rather negative personal consequences for the participants.
NOTE: I am not saying that we should never protest.
I am saying that we need to take care to strengthen ourselves for what may be a long slog thorough some rough times, and I see our connections to fiber arts, and related activities, to be essential to girding our strength.
I am a member of a large group of Americans who wake up every day and wonder what is coming next as it relates to our jobs. I am also a Veteran that receives care through the VA. I have worked hard to get an education and work in jobs that afforded me increasingly more responsibilities, which then resulted in pay increases along the way. A lot of these things are hanging in the balance right now, so when I say "resilience", I am not preaching at others; I am talking from my own place of being in this moment.
I have worked hard, but I have also experienced a lot of lucky breaks. I recognize that I am NOT in a position to be pitied (wouldn't want that anyway), and have a lot of options to which many of my fellow travelers in this same situation do not have access (mostly in the form of good relationships with family who have enough resources to share). I am aware of my good fortune in life, and the privilege I was born into, however; those things do not excuse most, if not all, of us from paying attention to what's taking place in the world, and understanding that surviving (on some level), and THRIVING (on every level) is our work to do.
Here is a short list of some of the BENEFITS I see to a fiber arts tradition, as it relates to building resilience.
My crocheting and sewing are a direct connection to my mother, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers who all lived through and survived things like the Great Depression, 2 World Wars, etc. These activities quietly remind me that I have the DNA of survivors.
My knitting reminds me that I can learn new things, and that there are people ALL AROUND that are willing and able to help me do so. As a mother with 2 very small children, I was able to find a local yarn shop in a new (to me) area that gave affordable lessons in knitting. My kids are now parents and approaching 40, so I have enjoyed knitting for a lot of years, and am grateful for the reminder of that time period in my life.
Sewing, especially, is something that helps me feel resourceful. I can make my clothes, bags to carry things, curtains, etc. if I need to - and the BONUS here is that my sister ALSO sews (she's the family rock star in this area!!). I know that these skills are always here, and may come in really handy someday. In the meantime, they are enjoyable activities that allow me to make fun things!
The many benefits of crocheting and knitting have been studied by social science researchers. Knitting and crocheting in action mimic the many beneficial actions of meditation, and I can think of no better activity in times of stress than meditation (with yarn, of course!)
here's an article on the relationship between fiber arts and improved health
Finding a deal / good (!) price on a higher-end set of fiber arts tools, and purchasing them for myself was my way of affirming that I'm going to be OK - regardless of what comes my way. It was both a gift to myself, and an affirmation of resilience, with the added benefit of keeping the resilient examples of my grandmothers/great-grandmothers close to my heart as I walk into uncertainty in my job, retirement plans, and general future.
Self-care, in whatever form we engage it, is indeed an act of resistance, as it girds our inner strength for whatever may come.
Wherever you are in this current chaos, and whatever it is you ARE facing or MAY face; keep your needles, hooks and sewing supplies close. Take care to preserve resources by harvesting your stash as often as possible, and most importantly - keep on creating as well as crafting YOUR strength and resilience. Lastly, in the words of a true resistance fighter and legend,... "May the Force Be with You!"
(C) 2025 Stitch 'n Dish
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