Duties of the Bee and a Busy Crochet Life 4KCBWDAY2

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Day 2
"4KCBWDAY2 A Mascot Project.
(http://www.eskimimimakes.com/2013/04/4kcbwday2-mascot-project.html) Your task today is to either think of or research a project that embodies that house/animal. It could be a knitting or crochet pattern – either of the animal itself or something that makes you think of the qualities of that house.

Alternatively, it could be a type or colour of yarn, or a single button. Whatever you choose, decide upon a project and blog about how and why it relates to your house/creature."
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Day Two of Crochet Blog Week challenged us to think of a project that fits our chosen mascot. I picked the busy bee because it perfectly matches my life as a crocheter who loves to flutter from one task to the next.

Yesterday, my youngest spent the morning playing outside with his grandparents and got so dirty that my mom gave him a bath before I arrived. All of that outdoor play reminded me of how much little ones explore and how quickly they chase after life with boundless energy.

While I was getting him dressed, I noticed the shirt she had picked out for him. The front says BEE attitude Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy Matthew 5:7. I found the Bible verse online at Bible.org, and it struck me as perfect for this post. The words about mercy fit the heart of what a busy bee is meant to represent in this crochet week challenge.

The verse talks about showing mercy to others because we have first received mercy ourselves. It reminded me to be gentle with myself when I rush ahead with projects too quickly or get frustrated with stitches that do not turn out right. Showing mercy in my creative life means growing in patience and compassion for others as well.

For my bee project, I wanted to make wrist warmers. I found a free pattern that had adorable owls on them, but the instructions were more advanced than anything I had done before. I tried again and again, but kept running into trouble. Finally, I frogged the whole thing and went with something simpler. I crocheted plain double crochet and finished the edges with textured rows that made them fit nicely over my long-sleeve shirts.

This little project taught me to be calmer and slower when I approach something new because life and yarn both have their own rhythms. Just as a bee moves thoughtfully from flower to flower, I can move from project to project with purpose and joy.