Do you knit/crochet and are willing to share?

Great topic!

A lady from our church taught me to crochet when I was 12 years old. As the years past I would pick it up again from time-to-time and always enjoyed it. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and was off work for MX recovery, I picked it up again, and have vowed to keep going.

Crocheting has helped keep my hands and mind busy when fear and anxiety try to take over. It has also provided a great way to make gifts for others. And planning new crochet projects is another thing I look forward to and get very excited about. This is huge, because when first diagnosed I didn't see the point in planning anything and looking forward. Crochet projects were a small step in getting beyond that.

I've attached a picture of the first thing I created after my diagnosis and finding this wonderful creative medicine.

I crocheted for pleasure for many years (my Grandma taught me when I was 8!), simple afghans at first, then more complicated patterns.

When I was first diagnosed, I stopped crocheting for a few months. It was hard to see a long-term project and wonder, "how will I feel six months form now?", "will I even be able to do this?" -- then, once I had my treatment plan in place (Ibrance/Femara for my Stage 4 diagnosis), I was able to visualize myself crocheting. It brings me so much joy to be able to create something special out of a few skeins of yarn, it's literally been a lifesaver for me!

I've also been involved with Feel Better Friends - an organization that makes dolls for medically fragile children. I started shortly before my diagnosis, then stopped. I even notified them that I wouldn't be able to continue because I didn't know if I'd be able to meet deadlines anymore! Then, once I started crocheting, and saw the peace of mind it brought me, I reached out to FBF, to continue. Nothing in my life has been more fulfilling than crocheting these precious dolls, and I plan to continue for many, many, years to come.

These are some of the dolls I've created:

All during radiation I crocheted a baby blanket for a coworker. It was slow going because of lingering pain from my sentinel node biopsy, but I plugged away and got it done.

I have both knitted and crocheted off and on for decades -- my grandmother taught me to crochet when I was in grade school and I taught myself to knit from a book when I was in college. Before my diagnosis I was focused more on quilting but after receiving two lovely prayer shawls after my surgery I decided to make a shawl or two to share with others. It is enjoyable to work with yarn again. Unfortunately, I cannot use wool yarns as I do not tolerate wool being in direct contact with my skin!

I needed some " No Brainer" distraction when I was going through treatment and to feel like I was not wasting my time. So, I knit laprobes for the VA Hospital. Years later, I still do.

For those of who are concerned, JBW is a wonderful company that donates a lot of money and yarn to local women diagnosed with breast cancer. I know this because it’s my local yarn store!

I think they are considering doing a knitting class survivors and/or those who are going through treatment. If I know anything about this company, I’d bet it will be offered for free.

I was diagnosed with a high grade DCIS in October of 2017. I’ve been a long time knitter, and knitting was such a great way for me to stay distracted during my surgeries and appointments. I made something for each person who helped me during my recovery.

I have crocheted for 30+ years, knitted for 21, spun yarn and woven for 15. I feel so fortunate to have found the activities that bring me solace. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2018, I was frantic with worry and too preoccupied to work on fiddly patterns so I knitted dish towels that have a button to hang on the refrigerator or stove. I made 18 of those for Christmas. I also made a hat for my boyfriend who supported me through the ordeal. When I was diagnosed with lymphedema, the therapist told me to give knitting a rest so I reverted to my old friend crocheting. Since then, I have made 3 blankets. Here are a few pictures. These are not nearly as nice as things I have made before my diagnosis, but the soothing rhythm of the needles helped me recover.