#291: The Crocheted Rectangle
Why it’s okay to be thoroughly average
I would like to have written a blog this week entitled “The Crocheted Elephant”, in which I explained in proud detail how great crocheting is for self-care, or perhaps waxed lyrical about the wonderful feeling of finishing a craft project. Unfortunately, it turns out that crocheting is hard. And there is no elephant in the room. Instead, I must write about this small, green, crocheted rectangle I managed to make.
This green creation is not as ambitious as I wanted. It is not at all impressive. And yet, after battling fruitlessly with a crochet kit for ages 8+, any resulting object is worth celebrating.
During its creation, I learnt a lot about my lack of patience. I can be fully absorbed and give all my attention to a project, but only when I think that I am good at it. I don’t have a high tolerance for my own mistakes or perceived failures. I like it when things come naturally to me, which, given that I am only human, isn’t all that often.
But for me this green, useless object is a rallying cry against these flaws. It is an object that says: hey, I’m not what you wanted or expected, but I am still something you achieved. This crocheted rectangle says: sometimes “just okay” is enough. It is a piece of the mediocrity we should all allow ourselves. Because wouldn’t life be boring if we only did the things that came naturally to us?
It’s easier than ever to share our achievements, to be surrounded by images of perfectly-baked cakes or amazingly-plaited hair. The wonderful baker doesn’t share that they are also an okay painter. The amazing hair stylist doesn’t share that sometimes they like to write not-so-great fan fiction. We compare our thoroughly average hobbies unfavourably to those who have a particular talent in those areas.
If you are specialised in a subject or a vocation, it’s easy to feel inferior at any of the other interests that you haven’t put as much time into. I chose to study literature, but I have a side interest in German, which I admit I am fully mediocre at. This should not stop me, however, from the worthwhile pursuit of learning a language.
And so this green square, which I have been waving in all of my acquaintance’s faces, is a celebration of those side interests. It is a toast to the amateurs. It embraces the curiosity to try things without necessarily achieving. I hope that I produce several more fuzzy green rectangles in the future, and I hope that they are each as unimpressive as the next.
