Where disability politics, intersectional feminism and craft collide.
I was updating my Handmade Gallery page recently, and it got me thinking about my knitted and sewn output. (You can access my Handmade Gallery at the top of my blog – it’s a pictorial summary of everything I’ve made and posted on the blog to date.) Although I’ve a few garments made up and waiting to be photographed/blogged, so far this year my output is dramatically reduced from years previous.
Last I updated you on my knitting progress, my wrist was giving me trouble and preventing me from knitting. Well, it’s still giving me trouble, but not enough to stop me knitting. I’ve finally finished my Hansel Half Hap, a pattern by Gudrun Johnstone.
Warning: contains GIFs
Being chronically ill is much like juggling countless juggling balls, only to realise no one has ever actually taught you to juggle, and you have to muddle on as best you can on your own, with the threat of the full weight of your life’s obligations coming crashing down on you at any given moment.* Some assume that having a chronic illness absolves you from mundane life tasks, but the opposite is true: you have to deal with the same challenges everyone else does, with limited resources, as well as the other shit chronic illness throws at you.
Over on Instagram, I’ve been reviewing some books I’ve read lately. I realise not everyone follows me on that platform, so here’s my latest book reviews. My current reading is focused on non-fiction anti-racism work, which these reviews reflect.
A few months ago, my friend Lauren from Instagram offered to send me some fabric from a dedicated craft op shop. Well, fabric and op shops are my dream combination, so I couldn’t say no! Lauren was very good at picking fabrics according to my preferences (natural fibres, brown earthy tones) and I’m grateful to her for her generosity.
I’m no knitting mastermind, but I do feel I have a solid grasp of the craft, moreso than sewing. I’ve been knitting since I was 14 years old, and am confident that I can interpret most patterns in a way that suits me. So when I come across a knitting conundrum I’m always eager to learn more.
It’s been a while since I did a personal health update, largely because I just don’t like thinking about it any more. I was reminded of this fact when I had an appointment with a social worker yesterday. She is an advocate who I employed to assist me with my NDIS application (though she has nothing to do with NDIS herself, nor does her agency in any way, and therefore has no say in their assessment of me).
