creativity is not just an act of glee…
Above is the hat most commonly known as “the Jerk hat.”
It was a hat that a made for a boy a few years ago who turned out to be a jerk.
As I sat with the finished product, that I made from a pattern, a part of me wanted to rip it to shreds or set it on fire or something else destructive and dramatic.
Instead, I took out a yarn needle and some red yarn and embroidered “JERK” boldly on the hat.
Then I took pictures of myself in the jerk hat, all while being somewhat pissy with the boy who the hat was originally for. I ended up doubling over in laughter at myself in this stupid hat that I had made for someone in the name of newness and hope who ended up turning out to be an idiot.
After I was done with my little pity party, I picked out the embroidery and gave it to a friend who was moving to a city known for its chilly climate. This recipient was happy to get a handmade gift, especially one that kept her ears warm despite the cold! In all its ridiculousness, those few minutes of embroidering and picture-taking reminded me that while there may always be jerks out there, I would always have my yarn and my needles and things to create and a host of people in my life and/or community who would be thankful to receive gifts born of newness and hope.
That day taught me two important things:
1. Don’t be afraid to go outside the pattern, after all, it’s your creation, a pattern is just a guideline! (It’s amazing how we all too often get stuck in a rut of knitting someone else’s creations while frequently discounting our own!)
2. Creation is more therapeutic than destruction, and can be used to work through all your moods, not just happiness and joy.
February 2nd, 2006 at 3:29 pm
I’m new in embroidering, do you know anywhere on the internet that has an instruction for the kind of embroidering that is used on this hat?
February 2nd, 2006 at 10:37 pm
i love that story.
February 3rd, 2006 at 3:41 am
Very funny story. But indeed very wise words.
February 3rd, 2006 at 6:42 am
i love this. patterns be darned, they can be such a creative drain sometimes. and it’s so subconscious i think.
February 3rd, 2006 at 8:21 pm
I love the story- transformation and record. it’s nice when items find a home where they are valued and appreciated.
February 6th, 2006 at 1:11 pm
Hey! I know that hat! Where have I seen that before? hmmm… :)