Caught up in Knots?

 

"Although the threads of my life have often seemed knotted, I know, by faith, that on the other side of the embroidery there is a crown."  Corrie Ten Boom

"Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by. Life is like that - one stitch at a time taken patiently and the pattern will come out all right like the embroidery." Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. 

Today I returned to my embroidery class for the first time in over a year. I was just starting to get to grips with the various stitches in 2020 when Covid hit. I was taught various stitches at school (running, cross, lazy daisy, French knots), but had completely forgotten how to make them. Fortunately, my wonderful, patient teacher, Raggedy Annie, reminded me and introduced me to new ones. She runs classes from her Crafty Owl studio in Elland. 

Learning and practising new embroidery stitches, like any new skill, requires great concentration; it is a wonderful mindful activity. Anxieties fade into the background, worries about the past and the future disappear while one is focussed on perfecting that tricky bullion knot. Those more skilled than I produce the most intricate pieces of needlework that are gorgeous works of art. There's something magical too in the fact that the skill of embroidery has been practised for centuries, mainly by women, and that brings a kind of universal, timeless connection. May I recommend it for anyone feeling out of sorts with themselves. 

Writing Prompts:

• Write about a 'mindful' activity that you have done recently -one which required your full focus of attention. 
• Do you remember needlework lessons at school? If so, write about them.
• Write for seven minutes about a time when "The threads of your life have seemed knotted." 
• Are you patiently taking life 'one stitch at a time'? Is it turning out all right, like the embroidery? Write about what the 'pattern' looks like right at this moment.