This is a question that has popped up a number of times in the last few days and it has really got me thinking. It's something I have considered many times over the years and I find it almost impossible to put into words what it is exactly that drives me to keep on making.
A friend I was talking to over our knitting last week, loves the process. For her the physical act of making is enough, the end results are just an added bonus and she often gives them away. She lent me copy of Yarn Harlot
In some ways I think I am quite a selfish maker, I often love what I have made so much that it is a real struggle to give it away. Many times when I have made one of my cobbled together items from a jumble of old fabrics, the knowledge that it is the only one like it in the world means I couldn't bare to let it go and no matter how many similar items I own it has to find a place here, where it can be loved and honoured for the rare treasure that it is. But in reality, I probably give away more than I keep, for as long as I know the recipient will truly love the piece as much as I do, I know no bigger pleasure than that of giving an item made by hand and with love in every stitch.
I make for practical reasons too, re-using, re-cycling and saving money all rate high on my list of reasons to make by hand. There is nothing to beat the satisfaction I feel when I see something beautiful I have made from something that was due to be trash. I also love a challenge and a clever handmade solution to a tricky decorating problem beats spending money any day of the week.
I love the feeling of belonging to a tradition, the knowledge that my hands are working everyday miracles in a way that has been done for hundreds of years. I feel a pride in keeping old techniques going and feel a respect that grows with each new craft that I attempt for the skill of all those women in the past who did this making out of necessity, to clothe and warm and feed their love ones.
I also love the opportunity it gives me to express myself, my home and all the things in it imbued with stories and memories, unique and valuable in every way except in monetary worth. A testament to the values of time, love, care and hard work that mean so much to me. If I am being brave, I will also say it is because I am an artist and expressing myself in this way is as important to me as air is to breathe.
Finally, I will introduce that theme that is following me through this year, simplicity. I make because it keeps my life simple, do you remember this gift I made? A perfect example of making time to make something special resulting in a simply more pleasant time for me as well.
What do you think? Why do you make what you do? I'd love to hear your thoughts and I am sure there are a few more reasons I could add to my list, after all its always a good idea to have a really strong argument on your side when someone suggests that the ironing might be a little more important than another pair of hand-knitted socks!
