Little did I know when my Aunt Vi taught me how to crochet as a teenager that I would still be at it over 40 years later. Frankly, I don't know what I'd do if I didn't spend some time during my day with hook and yarn in hand.

I didn't start out crocheting. My first experience with needlework was at the tender age of 11 when my mother taught me how to knit. I spent the next 20 years or so knitting, as well as crocheting, sewing, macrame-ing, and embroidering. But it is crochet that I've had the longest, continuing relationship with.

So, there must be something magical about this relatively young fiber art that makes me want to keep doing it, day in and day out, for so many years.

One of the magical things about crochet is its ability to keep me centered in the present or "now" moment.  I'm completely focused on what my hands are doing with hook and yarn, whether I'm working from a pattern or simply crocheting from memory.  

All of the trials and tribulations of the day fade away as I become absorbed by the stitches effortlessly falling from my hook and becoming a beautiful piece of fabric. I'm not thinking about the bills I have to pay tomorrow or focused on some pain or hurt from yesterday.  Crochet has my complete attention, and I begin to relax and unwind..

I've been meditating since 1975, so I know what a good meditative state feels like. I feel calm and centered deep within my body at the level of my solar plexus, so much so that nothing disturbs me or knocks me off center. Even if you don't meditate and, say, jog or walk for exercise, you know that feeling you get when you're "in the zone" and you can go on for ever? That's the way I feel when I get my "crochet groove" going.

The repetitive, "insert hook in fabric, yarn over, and pull through" motion of my hands, along with that focused, in the moment attention to what I'm doing, calms and soothes nerves frazzled from a hectic day. That's why most of my crocheting takes place in the evening. Instead of a cocktail or beer to relax me, I get out my most recent work-in-progress and start crocheting, and I don't wake up with a hangover the next morning.

Just about all of the birthday and Christmas gifts I give are crocheted. I started this practice a couple of years ago when I moved to Hawaii and discovered a vibrant fiber arts community and lots of yarn stores.

Not only does giving hand-made gifts keep my Christmas spending within reasonable limits, something that immediately soothes my soul, it feels good to see the eyes of family members and friends light up when they receive a gift that I've crocheted. It also makes gift giving more meaningful, especially at Christmas when my tendency has been to hurry up and get the shopping over with.

I've tried to crochet for money, and I've sold my work from time to time. But for some reason, knowing that I'm working for pay brings out the perfectionist in me and the soothing quality of crochet goes right out the window. So for now, I'll continue to crochet for the pleasure it brings me and its ability to soothe my restless soul.