Things My Mom Crocheted for Me
My mom has a growing obsession with crocheting. And she’s always up for a new challenge. She started making clothing a few months ago and now it seems there’s no limit to her capacities.
It is VERY fun to be able to ask for a design and then have it arrive on my doorstep (my mom lives in Florida and we don’t get to see each other very often). It’s even more lovely to know that every project and creation is an act of love.
I’m in a Theology and Economics class that met for the first time yesterday. One student described the concept of disembedded markets.
The idea is that we used to live within embedded market economies. We purchased things we needed locally, from our neighbors. And we developed or deepened personal relationships with these local business owners over time. This relational economy acted as a sort of social safety net. If your aging neighbor down the street couldn’t afford groceries, the local grocer would find a way to make sure her needs were met.
But markets are now disembedded. We make purchases from people who aren’t in our communities and who have no stake in our wellbeing. We have lost points of relation, humanity, and connection.
Small scale makers, fair trade companies, and family members who make things remind us that economy isn’t a bad word. But that we must make an effort to see humanity, and not let our markets remove us from mutual human care.
The Granny Square Vest
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Worn with: Jeans (similar) / Sandals (similar)
The Dreamy Cardigan
Worn with: Shirt / Pants (similar) / Shoes
The Pink Tank Top
Worn with: Pants (similar) / Shoes (similar)
My mom used this pattern for the tank top. She either significantly adapted or created the other designs.
Leah Wise is the founder of StyleWise Blog. She has been writing, speaking, and consulting on sustainable fashion, the fair trade and secondhand supply chain, and digital marketing for over ten years. An Episcopal priest, Leah holds a B.A. in Religion from Florida State University and an M.Div. from Yale Divinity School. When not working, you can find her looking for treasures at the thrift store.
Anne M
Friday 10th of September 2021
I like the cardigan the most, especially the large! pockets. I have relatives who owned a small grocery store. It was about the size of a "mini-mart" these days, but the family lived in an attached house in the back. During the Depression, they gave food on credit to those who needed it. Yet, many of them walked on past the store to go to the supermarket when it opened, some with unpaid credit. I heard about this many times from their daughter, who was very bitter about it.
Leah Wise
Friday 10th of September 2021
Good on your family for their generosity and neighborliness. I'm sorry that happened to them. It brings up something that seems widespread: we are so eager to seek novelty and lower prices that we often willingly give up being a part of embedded economies. I don't know what the answer is.
Kelly
Thursday 9th of September 2021
Beautiful! Your mom is very talented :) Also, your points about embedded economies are well put--totally agree.
Susan
Wednesday 8th of September 2021
Your mother made that cardigan?! Impressed!
Alice
Wednesday 8th of September 2021
I am so blown away by your mom's skills! And the designs are so fun. The cardigan especially is so pretty. I'm knitting my first sweater for my 1.5 year old and I hope I can continue to make pieces that he will one day cherish (although as it's coming together I'm realizing that the yarn I'm using is more orange than yellow, and am now wondering if I am officially Mrs. Weasley knitting embarrassing sweaters for my son? Oh well he is still too young to care! Haha)
The idea of the embedded economy is so neatly put too. I guess I could say part of my motivation for learning to knit is to buy less from the disembedded economy.
Kay
Wednesday 8th of September 2021
You look adorable in your sweaters. And your mom is an awesome person. I miss her now that she has moved to Florida from Ohio!