Where I belong: A Generational Skill and Artistic Expression.
My name is Cecily. I am a first generation, mixed race LGBTQ+ yarn crafter, and this is my story of crocheting.
---How I started Crocheting:
My grandmother is from the Philippines, as is my mother. Being taught by her family and community, she learned to crochet while young, teaching her kids the same. Tablecloths, shawls, and lace on garments, she learned intricate lace crochet and kept her skill sharp with age.
I have been crafting since I was little; creative as could be. Sometimes painting things that shouldn't be painted, and expressing through crafts. I naturally picked up crafts and creative hobbies; from wood burning, to friendship bracelets. I even sold friendship bracelets on the pool deck as a kid, making custom bracelets for my friends and family in the summers before and after swim practice. I even took orders, and charged a few dollars for each one. I was 14.
One day, I took my mom's dusty knitting needles and let my creativity soar. With access to countless youtube videos and some yarn, I taught myself to knit in 2015 and made my first project; a scarf (fig 1). This was the beginning of my yarn crafting journey. Among the videos for knitting, I found crochet tutorials and gave one a watch and taught myself to crochet.
Crocheting was only one of the many talents my grandmother had. My continuing of the craft was special; continuing this generational skill. I soon showed my grandmother that I had learned, and while she could not crochet anymore, she was happy to relate. In 2020, after countless encouragements from others and needing to secure extra income, I made SkeinWreck Studio an official Etsy shop during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
--Why I chose "SkeinWreck Studio":
I chose the name SkeinWreck Studio because much of my life, I've felt very chaotic and disorganized, and sometimes labeled a trainwreck. I felt like I had failed, I never fit in, and I never could simply "stay on track" with whatever I was expected to do. Growing up closeted and neurodivergent, I constantly felt isolated and alone.
However, I've also been described as crafty, creative and vibrant. I built SkeinWreck Studio as an expression of my love of crafting.
Pronounced like "trainwreck", SkeinWreck Studio is a creative expression of yarn crafting, and is my way of flipping what was an insult, into the idea that from my mess can come something creative and beautiful; an art. It took years of "wrecking" skeins of yarn to harness a skill, and it is okay to be yourself and express yourself authentically.
I aim for SkeinWreck Studio to be a shop where new, unique usable art that are the result of my authenticity, hopefully inspiring others to love and embrace others and to be authentic.
---How I started Crocheting:
My grandmother is from the Philippines, as is my mother. Being taught by her family and community, she learned to crochet while young, teaching her kids the same. Tablecloths, shawls, and lace on garments, she learned intricate lace crochet and kept her skill sharp with age.
I have been crafting since I was little; creative as could be. Sometimes painting things that shouldn't be painted, and expressing through crafts. I naturally picked up crafts and creative hobbies; from wood burning, to friendship bracelets. I even sold friendship bracelets on the pool deck as a kid, making custom bracelets for my friends and family in the summers before and after swim practice. I even took orders, and charged a few dollars for each one. I was 14.
One day, I took my mom's dusty knitting needles and let my creativity soar. With access to countless youtube videos and some yarn, I taught myself to knit in 2015 and made my first project; a scarf (fig 1). This was the beginning of my yarn crafting journey. Among the videos for knitting, I found crochet tutorials and gave one a watch and taught myself to crochet.
Crocheting was only one of the many talents my grandmother had. My continuing of the craft was special; continuing this generational skill. I soon showed my grandmother that I had learned, and while she could not crochet anymore, she was happy to relate. In 2020, after countless encouragements from others and needing to secure extra income, I made SkeinWreck Studio an official Etsy shop during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
--Why I chose "SkeinWreck Studio":
I chose the name SkeinWreck Studio because much of my life, I've felt very chaotic and disorganized, and sometimes labeled a trainwreck. I felt like I had failed, I never fit in, and I never could simply "stay on track" with whatever I was expected to do. Growing up closeted and neurodivergent, I constantly felt isolated and alone.
However, I've also been described as crafty, creative and vibrant. I built SkeinWreck Studio as an expression of my love of crafting.
Pronounced like "trainwreck", SkeinWreck Studio is a creative expression of yarn crafting, and is my way of flipping what was an insult, into the idea that from my mess can come something creative and beautiful; an art. It took years of "wrecking" skeins of yarn to harness a skill, and it is okay to be yourself and express yourself authentically.
I aim for SkeinWreck Studio to be a shop where new, unique usable art that are the result of my authenticity, hopefully inspiring others to love and embrace others and to be authentic.