My friend from the States, a crafting enthusiast featured in previous posts and another story, and I have very different approaches to crafting. She gravitates towards delicate, beautiful creations and is incredibly skilled with a crochet hook. In contrast, my crafting style is a bit more… assertive, let’s say involving more stabbing motions, and wearable items are definitely not my forte. Sometimes, I even find beauty in the unconventional, the slightly “ugly.”
When she visited Tokyo, we stumbled upon a book that seemed to perfectly encapsulate her aesthetic:
I practically begged my friend to buy it. Not because of a sudden love for doilies – in truth, I’ve always been rather indifferent to them – but for two key reasons. First, the book itself is a stunning example of Japanese craft book design, something I knew I wanted to share. Second, if you could capture my friend’s personality in a physical object, this book, with its flowers, soft peachy-pink hues, and suggestions of delicate cashmere yarn projects, would be it. It felt destined to be hers. This book, with its promise of delicate pink creations, felt like the perfect starting point for anyone wanting to learn to love again the beauty in handcrafted items.
My initial resistance, my unlove for doilies, stemmed from my personal crafting philosophy: creations should be either functional or enhance the beauty of something functional. And honestly, what practical purpose does a doily serve?
Or so I thought. Apparently, doilies are far more versatile than I imagined. This book opened my eyes to a world of possibilities:
I genuinely adore that book cover. Psst – hey friend, if you’re reading this, consider this another not-so-subtle hint. I really love that book cover. Its pink and floral design is just so charming and inviting, making you want to learn to love again the art of crochet.
I jokingly challenged my friend to complete a doily before her departure. She didn’t just meet the challenge; she exceeded it, creating two beautiful doilies. Show off, indeed!
Graciously, she offered to make one for me. I chose a triangle doily from the book. And to my surprise, I genuinely loved it. This simple act of choosing and receiving a handmade doily felt like a small step in my own journey to learn to love again things I had previously overlooked.
However, my new doily seemed to adopt a rather relaxed lifestyle. For a week after my friend left, it simply lounged on the couch. It was the epitome of a couch potato doily. Perhaps it was missing my friend, or maybe, more likely, it was just an inanimate object, and I was in need of some fresh air and perspective. It seemed even my inanimate objects were on a journey to learn to love again the simple act of relaxation!
Then, I stumbled upon this image online. Suddenly, the doily’s purpose became clear. It had found its new home. Doily, your existence is now justified. You are welcome to stay, as I secure you to my couch with a chain stitch embrace.
