Name: Matilde Linn
Age: 30 years old
Country: Denmark
Instagram: @mati_denmark
Etsy: @MatiDenmark
About the series
The Healing Craft Series features creators sharing their thoughts and feelings on crafting and healing through crafting.
“[…] it almost feels like magic everytime my effortless doing results in something I can see, hold and put on my body.”
Matilde, @mati_denmark
What kind of craft do you do and how long have you been doing it for?
I crochet and have been doing it “seriously” since 2015, but I learned to crochet as a child. I did a little crocheting when I was in Australia in 2008, then I went back in 2011 and when I came back from that trip I stumbled upon a b/w photo from the 60’s inside a cd album on the library. There was a young woman wearing a knitted (or could’ve been crocheted or filted) hat that looked so cute and I thought: “What if I could make something like that myself?”.
In 2015 I was working on an activity center for elderly people and I started crocheting “for real”, because we were getting ready for a Christmas market and had to make things to sell. I started off braiding toys for dogs out of fleece fabric. Then I started to crochet rattle balls for babies and because I was crocheting with some elderly women they gave me some tips and tricks for increasing and decreasing.
I was very much fascinated by the thought that I could create something I wanted with my own two hands, so I started making jute soles and crocheted shoes – I’ve never worn them but it was a fun experience. Then I started making tops and that’s the item I’ve made the most over the years.
What is your favourite place/time of day to craft and why?
In the beginning it was mostly mornings because I didn’t have any real lighting in my apartment. Now I mostly crochet on weekends or in the evening – I try to crochet when I am not working so I can keep crochet as a hobby and not only a job.
What inspires you (in life & in crafting)?
When I create I am inspired by regular clothes (non-crochet) or knitted clothes (I like to attempt to make knit-like crochet). I love watching films and shows from the 90’s or 00’s.
I’ve made many designs inspired by what Carrie Bradshaw wore in Sex and the City. I also love what Marilyn Monroe wore for casual wear in the 50’s and 60’s and finally I always have an eye out for photos on Instagram or Google, watching what people wear in magazines or on the street or finding clothes in secondhand shops where a neckline or a shape can inspire me.
I’m inspired by honesty and people who have endured many battles but still manage to hold space for others, show empathy and patience. I’m inspired by people who allow themselves to be and show their vulnerability and are both able to dare to let others care for them but also know how to care for themselves.
How has/is crafting helping you and your mental health?
Crochet helps me a great deal. Just the fact that I can keep my hands busy when my mind is even busier helps to calm me down. And the magic of turning yarn into something I can put on my body is just astonishing to me everytime. Seeing that I am capable of that makes me believe in myself. Also just learning to let go of doing something perfect, but just doing it. The fact that I can create something because I let go, seems so contradictory, so it almost feels like magic everytime my effortless doing results in something I can see, hold and put on my body.
What is your advice to other creators (or newly started creators)?
Create because you want to! Follow your own drive and inspiration. Create something that you think would be fun to create. Make a style that you like. Remember that even the most talented creators still feel insecure, still make mistakes, and we all started out from scratch. It’s not about how good you are, but that you allow yourself to express yourself in your very own way.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I just want to say thank you to all the amazing people who wants to share their story in these interviews! I know that you inspire not only me but so many others out there – I love that we are able to draw focus on the healing aspect of crafting.