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Kathryn Vercillo
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Crochet Saved My Life Kindle Edition

by Kathryn Vercillo (Author), Julie Michelle (Photographer) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 150 ratings
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Crochet saves lives. It saved mine.

In the worst throes of depression I found myself sobbing on the bathroom floor, the tip of a kitchen knife pointed into my wrist. I was aching to break the flesh and bring the pain to an end. Through sheer force of will, I pried my own desperate hands open and replaced the knife with a crochet hook. Then I crocheted to save my life.

In this book, you will get to know me through my story of depression and healing. And you will get to know other women as well. You will meet Aurore who crochets to stay in touch with reality as she deals with ongoing psychiatric hallucinations. You will meet Laurie who made a new life with crochet after years of a life filled with abuse. You will meet Tammy whose crochet helps her with the ups and downs of living with Chronic Lyme Disease. You will meet Liza who crochets through the anxiety of having temporary bouts of blindness caused by an undiagnosed health condition.

Here are some of the things you will hear them say:

"When I crochet I don't think about how my body is now broken; I think about how I can create something beautiful and useful with my hook and either yarn or thread." -Vicki

"When I'm anxious, I feel like a hollow hull. Crocheting helps fill up the void." - Aurore

"I couldn't pay for therapy, but a few balls of crochet thread cost less than $20 and provided me with many hours of crochet." - M.K.

"The feeling of the yarn and the rhythmic motions produced by crocheting are very quieting and help me regroup, recharge and become reconnected to my inner self amidst turmoil and confusion." - Aimee

"Crochet helps me put my pain on the back burner for a while. It takes my focus away from how I'm feeling and puts it in a more productive place". - Shelli

The two dozen women whose stories are shared in this book are the women who hook to heal. We are not alone. Studies shows that crocheters are numerous; research and anecdotal evidence show that people of all ages, from all walks of life, with all types of health conditions may find healing through their hooks and yarn. Join us on our journey.
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  1. Print length
    304 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    July 17, 2012
  5. File size
    817 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"For years I've loudly argued that crochet IS personal for so many of us. We're not just "making stuff" we're keeping our hands busy and our runaway minds still and this book, THIS BOOK describes the raw experience tenderly, factually, and in a way that addresses our humanity with courtesy. Best of all, it offers the story of hope. Hope in the personal life stories and hope in the exercises to help people learn to be mindful, find a peaceful center and hopefully find some kind of peace in their lives. This book is not depressing, it is empowering. You need this book." - Laurie Wheeler, Crochet Liberation Front
"Kathryn Vercillo gives many accounts in Crochet Saved My Life of how crochet has helped others, from empowering a woman who was a victim of rape, to helping a woman who suffers from hallucinations keep her grip on reality, to comforting a woman who is going blind. This book is a must-read for any crocheter who has ever felt alone or like no one else understands. If you only have time to read one book this year, make it this one." - Selena, CrochetKitten blog
"It's immediately obvious to anyone reading this book that the message reaches far beyond crocheting: crafting, particularly tactile and engaging crafting, does wonders for the spirit. Grab this book if you're stressed/anxious/depressed and are looking for a light at the end of the tunnel. Read it for inspiration from powerful women who have turned their lives around. If you have a friend/relative struggling with mental illness, read it as a way to gain insight into their experience- as Kathryn has a gift for putting into words ideas that usually remain hiding in the back of peoples' minds." Stacey, FreshStitches blog

From the Author

Before starting this book I knew that it was important to me that whatever I wrote next must be a story that came directly from my heart. I believe that each of us has an individual story to tell and that it is important to do so, to be honest about our experiences so that we can better understand ourselves and through that connect better to others. Overcoming depression was definitely the most important thing that had happened in my life and I knew there was a link to how crochet had been a part of that so I started journaling, blogging, and exploring this idea and it grew from there. Then I began to receive the stories from other strong, amazing women. They shared intimate details with me about illness and pain and truths about how they crafted to heal. I felt hugely entrusted with their stories and wanted to use this book to honor them. I believe that the anecdotal evidence about the benefits of crafting is strong here. However, it was also important to me to supplement that with research for any naysayers out there. Besides, I have a strong interest in mental health issues and wanted to really learn (and share) the how and why behind craft's therapeutic benefits. I believe I have been successful in doing that here!

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B008MQ8D0S
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 17, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 817 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1478190450
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 150 ratings

About the author

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Kathryn Vercillo

Kathryn Vercillo

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After writing across a diverse array of topic areas for nearly two decades, I’ve honed my craft to the unique niche of writing at the intersection of psychology and craft. I have expert experience in exploring the physical and mental health benefits of crafting, and more recently began to dig into all of the ups, downs, and intricate nuances of how mental health impacts art making in diverse ways.

I use my Masters Degree in Psychology along with extensive research to explore how we can use art/craft/creativity to heal individuals and communities. And how we can mitigate the challenges of our mental health issues, working with them, to allow for the best opportunity for art-making.

I believe in the power of self-expression as a means to authenticity in our relationships with ourselves, our loved ones, and the greater world. I believe that art and creativity are important.

I enjoy using my experience, education, and writing to help others explore this connection for themselves. Outside of this work, I love: living in San Francisco, long conversations, reading voraciously, true crime podcasts, and being delighted by my two rescue dogs.

The best way to see my original ongoing research and writing is to follow me on Substack. My websites are createmefree.com and kathrynvercillo.com. I am @createmefree and @kathrynlucillevercillo on Instagram. Relevant links at https://linktr.ee/kvercillo.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
150 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Gigi0605
5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Book
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2023
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Reading Crochet Saved My Life when I was a point of deep depression and suffocating loneliness probably did save my life. It got me to pick up a hook and yarn and made me feel part of a community the cares and understands. Kathryn Vercillo wrote this book with an intense, deep knowledge of her subject. Every time I pick up this book, my mind reminds me that crochet has been my friend and companion, a meditative focus and an outlet for my creativity.
I encourage anyone who lives with depression and fights its demons, and anyone who loves them to read this book.And I REALLY hope to see this as an audiobook one day.
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jewel
5.0 out of 5 stars Crafts, fun AND healing!
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2015
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This book will speak to a lot of people. Whether the sufferer is a loved one or yourself, I think it's is a useful read and reinforces my thought that a creative goal to work towards is restorative. Creating something with your own hands is good medicine. Crocheting (or whatever you like, my SIL loves coloring books when she's stressed), if you enjoy it, can be a great help with so many problems. I have found this to be true in my own life. Already struggling with other physical problems, I was diagnosed with an uncommon form of osteoarthritis that mainly affects my hands. I became depressed because everything I enjoyed was seeming impossible for me. After a couple of years of frustration, God led me to loom knitting. I was an avid knitter and crocheted before and this was a pretty good substitute. I could do this! I realized one day that getting that tiny portion of my life back made a tremendous difference. It calmed my mind and opened up a whole realm of possibilities that previously I was blind to. Still haven't figured out how to work around my disabilities to go rock climbing again, but I have hopes! It was humbling to read the stories of healing because it made me realize that my problems aren't nearly as big as they seemed and interesting to learn that crafting has brought many, besides me, healing. Even if you don't read the book, I would urge anyone with depression or anxiety to pick up a skein of yarn and a hook and give crochet a try. Make the world's longest chain, if nothing else. You may be surprised.
5 people found this helpful
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Willow Prescott
4.0 out of 5 stars I like this book
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2013
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I liked this book. A friend of mine recommended it to me because we're both mentally interesting and we both crochet. I knit too, but that's neither here nor there. I like though, that this author addresses knitting as well as crocheting in her writing.

The book is a bit repetitive, but that's to be expected I suppose since she discusses the people she's writing about then says "read more about so-and-so later on under the title so-and-so's story." Plus the purpose of the book is to imply strongly that crochet is helpful for dealing with several medical and physical disorders, so it's to expected that there would be some repetition as the author talks about how crochet helps with each of those disorders.

Despite the nature of the writing though, I still think this is a powerful book. I've recommended it to several friends of mine, and they've found it to be very inspiring. I'm sure they've also passed on the recommendation to their friends.
5 people found this helpful
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Lauren
3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but could've been better.
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2013
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I'm not sure how interesting the book would be if you don't have any personal investment in either crochet or mental health issues, but I enjoyed it.

I wanted to love it, because of its mission, but I found the structure really off putting. Mostly, I wish there was more. The individual vignettes were barely even glimpses into the stories of these people, and it would have been nice to just know more.

I did, however, very much enjoy reading the author's personal story. I think attempting to balance her own story and the stories of so many others overwhelms the book. If it had chosen one way or the other, it may have been more successful.
8 people found this helpful
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smuch
5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, Kathryn
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2015
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Great book especially if you have had any encounter with depression. Because Kathryn was able to share her experiences so publicly, I can and will also say that her book told me a lot about myself. Even though I have been diagnosed for decades, been on meds, worked as a psychiatric nurse and really understand how to manage my disease, the book helped me understand some of my teenage and young adult behavior that makes me cringe when I think about it. Now it makes sense; I was depressed and I'm better now. Crocheting is one of those things that helps a brain control mood chemically. Running, being in the sunshine, gardening and being with animals are others that help me but knowing that someone (and many others) have the same problems helps enormously.

I wanted to find Kathryn and thank her for what she has done by exposing herself and telling us that we are not alone. Crochet is a big help, especially in dark winter months but Kathryn Vercillo is the best help I have had in a long time!

Read this book if you have been depressed even if you are better. Read it if you have a close friend or family member who has been depressed; it will help you understand and that would be a tremendous gift to them.

Unfortunately, since the book is on my kindle I can't lend it to others but eventually I want to get a hard copy to share with friends.

Thank you, Kathryn.
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Top reviews from other countries

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dreca
4.0 out of 5 stars rapporto tra salute e uncinetto
Reviewed in Italy on July 29, 2022
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Ottimo testo molto esaustivo, ricco sia di storie vere che di riferimenti ad altri testi saggistici, insomma un buon punto di riferimento sul rapporto tra salute e uncinetto
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Janet Caulfeild
5.0 out of 5 stars A great book
Reviewed in Canada on January 3, 2017
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Crochet did a lot for me when my husband was ill & still does as much now that he is gone. Still haven't read all the stories but I can relate to what the people in the book said. I pick it up every so often & open to any section & I'm lost in the book again for at least an hour or 2. I gave it 5 stars because I have a huge loss & crochet has helped & the stories are interesting. Life is not easy for many of us & this book reminds me I am not alone.A great book
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Veda
5.0 out of 5 stars How inspirational
Reviewed in Australia on January 22, 2019
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Something as simple as crochet can change people’s lives. It’s no wonder once someone has the bug it’s hard to loose cause it’s doing you good from the inside out. It becomes part of your being. Loved it
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Chelidona
3.0 out of 5 stars Für Häkler und andere Handarbeit-verrückte
Reviewed in Germany on January 23, 2016
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Im Allgemeinen ist die Idee des Buches sehr gut: Es gibt Menschen mit Depression eine Strategie mit der Krankheit umzugehen, ohne allerdings müde zu werden zu betonen, dass ärztliche Hilfe unbedingt notwendig ist. Leute die bereits häkeln und depressiv sind, werden sich in vielen Geschichten wieder erkennen. (Depression ist nicht die einzige psychische Krankheit die erwähnt wird, aber die einzige mit der die Autorin persönlich Erfahrung hat und meiner Ansicht nach war der Teil dann auch deutlich besser). Leute mit Depressionen kann dieses Buch ermutigen, es einmal mit Häkeln zu probieren.
Die Struktur des Buches war allerdings teilweise etwas chaotisch und teilweise gar redundant. So gibt es individuelle Geschichte, die aber meistens zu 50-80% bereits im Fliesstext integriert sind. Und teilweise stückelt die Autorin Erkenntnisse von anderen zusammen, so dass es sich eher wie ein Flickwerk liest. Sie ist ihren Quellen gegenüber auch enorm unkritisch.
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James
5.0 out of 5 stars What a well written , insightful book.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 14, 2013
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As someone studying the role of knitting and crochet in the promotion of mental wellbeing , I have found this book incredibly helpful . It is insightful , factual and covers a lot of key issues . As someone who also has experience of a parent suffering bipolar disorder , I think this book is very well written , truthful and touches on many themes that are often ignored. Plus , it's an incredibly easy to read book that doesn't get lost in facts and figures but portrays people's real life experiences alongside them.
3 people found this helpful
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