STEVIE’S STORY: “Crochet pulled me through”
Stevie Larwood’s new-found passion for crochet was her anchor as she healed from psychosis. Now, she shares her love of the craft with others.
A WELCOME SOLACE
Every time I pick up my hook, I’m escaping into a world of colour and creativity. Crochet relaxes me. It’s something tactile that grounds me in reality. When I was first recovering, I would worry that I was slipping into another episode. Crochet would reassure me that everything was OK.
I’ve always struggled with my mood and then, in 2017, my mental health started to deteriorate. I lost touch with reality – I was seeing, hearing and smelling things that weren’t there. I became so ill that I was sectioned due to psychosis and put on a secure ward. It was a weird and isolating experience and I was happy when I was discharged. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and put under the care of a mental health team for the next three years. Crochet was the main thing that pulled me through. It gave me a purpose and something to focus on apart from my illness.
FIRST VENTURES
My crochet journey began when I noticed that a new yarn shop had opened up in my town. I plucked up the courage to go in and got talking to the assistant. She suggested I come along to a beginners’ crochet workshop. I was the worst there, but I fell for it immediately and practised granny squares for a whole year, gradually improving my skills. Now, I love making clothes – particularly my signature bobble-stitch cardigan. I adore pastel shades, and ripple stitch is my current favourite stitch to use.
The crochet community helped to build me back up. I set up my Instagram and YouTube accounts as a way to meet people after leaving my hometown. They allowed me to connect with people who are also passionate about crochet – all the lovely comments and messages have really boosted my confidence.
NOT ALWAYS EASY
There have been times when it’s been physically hard to crochet. When I first learned, I was on medication that made me very shaky. I also get migraines – linked to trauma – which wipe me out so that I can’t crochet. But it’s comforting to know that when I feel better, crochet will still be there for me.
HOOKY ADVICE
Crochet can be of such a benefit to people with mental health issues. When I was ill, I was under the care of an early intervention psychosis team and I now go back to advise them on the patient experience. I’m looking into how I can start workshops to help people under their care. I know tricks such as using chunky yarn if you are feeling shaky.
LOOKING FORWARD
As I continue on my crochet journey, I’d like to carry on teaching newbies on my social media feeds. When I was learning, I found that some beginners’ tutorial videos were so fast that I’d get lost. I make slower videos that really take their time over the process of crochet. I’m also planning to go to uni and eventually want to train as an art therapist. Crochet has truly given me so much, and I want everyone to understand how wonderful it is!
Follow Stevie on Instagram at @steviebythesea Written by Marianne Rawlins