When I ordered the Magical Gratitude Crochet Along (CAL) set from Expression Fiber Arts for my birthday, I was navigating a challenging time both mentally and physically. I had no idea how profoundly this online CAL would impact me. If you watched my unboxing video, you might have noticed the emotions that surfaced.
I received 2,890 yards of Expression Fiber Arts Luster Superwash Merino Sport Yarn. This yarn was so wonderful to work with; it is shiny, soft, and squishy! Also included was the Magical Gratitude Goody Box that had eight (8) bags of gifts that I opened each week of the 8-week CAL. I also received the digital copy of the Nuanua shawl as part of the set.
I kicked off my Magical Gratitude journey on September 2, embarking on an eight-week adventure centered around different themes of gratitude each week.
Week 1: Mindfulness Gratitude focused on being present and cherishing the simple joys and experiences around me. The joy of crocheting helped me center myself, setting a positive tone for the weeks to follow.
Week 2: Expressive Gratitude invited me to reach out to others, sharing love and appreciation through words, notes, and gestures.
Week 3: Reflective Gratitude invited me to consider the lessons learned from life’s challenges and victories, helping me grow.
Week 4: Resilient Gratitude taught me to find the silver lining in every situation, shifting my perspective toward positivity.
Week 5: Gratitude Meditation helped me incorporate gratitude into my daily meditation and prayer, emphasizing the positive aspects of my life.
Week 6: Loving Earth Gratitude reminded me to appreciate our beautiful planet and the wonders it holds.
Week 7: Self Gratitude encouraged me to acknowledge and appreciate my own efforts and achievements, nurturing my self-worth and compassion.
Week 8: Magical Gratitude served as a reminder to consistently practice gratitude and embrace the present moment.
This Nuanua shawl had over 31,500 stitches, making it one of the larger projects I’ve completed. I’m guessing it took me at least 100 hours of crochet time to make the shawl. This is the first time I’ve worked with a sport weight yarn, which was a bit challenging in the beginning. I didn’t rush the project; I just took it one stitch at a time.
After I finished crocheting, I washed my shawl in unscented Eucalan Fine Fiber Wash. I like this wash because you don’t have to rinse it clean, and it contains lanolin which is a natural conditioner for wool. Once it had soaked, I carefully used a towel to get some of the excess moisture removed from the shawl.
I blocked the shawl using blocking mats and T-pins. This helped me get the semi-circle shape straightened out. I think the finished project is beautiful and I can honestly say I enjoyed making it.
This journey has been transformative, enriching my perspective and filling my heart with gratitude for every stitch along the way. Is it a coincidence that I am finally feeling better, mentally and physically, I don’t think so! I hope Chandi makes this an annual event around my birthday, I plan to participate again if she does.
Chandi’s quote from the Magical Gratitude box, “When life is rough, make soft things!” I couldn’t agree more!
Thank you for sharing the journey with me!
~ Belle
