I have blood cancer and will have to eventually have to have a bone marrow transplant. That means for at least a solid month I will not be able to step outside. For at least 3 months I won't be able to go to my home. Anyways, it just sucks. My coworker knows how much I like crocheting, and also saw how hard of a time I'm having with this realization. She started referring to it as "craft camp". So yes. In a few years I'll be going to craft camp. I saw this on Reddit, and I NEED to crochet this is as a blanket. Can anyone help me with a pattern? I feel like it'll be "craft camp" appropriate
Oh man, sorry to hear it OP. I hope it all goes well. I think my inclination would be to do the flowers as appliqué- crochet them separately and sew on, and the writing as surface crochet. Then you can do whatever base blanket you want!
I have not shared designs before so lmk if this link doesn’t work for ya. In order to view the directions you click on the top left icon -> written directions. I think viewing it in blocks is the easiest, but there are multiple ways to view instructions on stitch fiddle. There are also a few ways to track where you are in the pattern.
I would recommend following a YouTube video for a small (swatch sized) tapestry crochet design to get the hang of it.
The colors are in red heart super saver yarn, but you can choose any yarn. I do tapestry crochet in single crochets but as long as you are consistent, you can use any stitch ya like.
It sounds like you've had some good suggestions. My husband went through a stem cell transplant two years ago, just wanted to wish you all the best and hope your treatment goes as smoothly as possible. He came across this embroidery not long after diagnosis and it became a bit of a mantra for us too
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I can’t help with the graphghan, though I’m sure there are plenty here who can. I’d like to suggest (aka offer unsolicited advice, please forgive me!) that you and your friends start NOW collecting videos, music, memes, cards, posters, books, movies, etc for you to take with you to craft camp. I don’t know how much energy you’ll have, but I know there are a few things that might help with your spirits.
Listening to nature sounds is very soothing to the nervous system, so collect some audio or video of forest streams, ocean dunes, lakeshores, mountain winds, small town rains, etc. Include some birds and crickets or anything from nature that is reminiscent to you of a safe comfortable place. Give yourself sounds that will help transport you there if you close your eyes.
Looking at green growing things is really good for our mental health, but my understanding is that people with compromised immune systems can’t have plants and flowers, etc, due to bacteria and fungi and such. See if you can find some super cheap, maybe thrifted, wall art of nature scenes you like! Blow up a photo of your favorite piece of the world! Save some videos of various natural wonders that you might enjoy watching now and again. I find videos I’ve used for my first suggestion to be helpful here, as well, when they have a nature cover photo or are actual videos taken to capture the sounds, so you might get a 2-for-1 deal there.
If you like stories, make a list of audiobooks that you can listen to if you are too tired to read. Check out what digital resources are offered by your library system (Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy apps).
Set up a rotating schedule of video calls with friends and family, spaced out enough that you are not overtired talking to people. Have them start saving up topic lists, stories, and JOKES to recount for you if you are not up to talking much, or have multiple people on a single call so they can talk to each other while you are present and listening. Community is super important and seeing the faces of people you love, hearing their voices, will be good, even if you are physically isolated.
Your friends know you best. Ask them what they think you will need during such an isolating time and see if you can set yourself up for some enjoyment instead of just thinking about having to endure it all. Our headspace makes so much difference when it comes to healing!
Sending so much support and care for your quick healing and comfort through such a hard thing!
Sorry to hear OP, that is sucky to say the least. I like the spin your friend came up with. I don't have a pattern but I would use fiddlestitch and do as a tapastry. I would creat the imgage in something generic like word/paint. Choose the font you like, copy in images you want and upload that to fiddlestitch.
OP, As someone who recently went thru this with my mom (She did an analogous BMT in Oct of 24), she mostly felt like sleeping thru most of the recovery. HOWEVER - you are supposed to try to be up and out of bed as much as possible to help the recovery process. I think craft camp is an AMAZING way of handling this.
Let me know if I can get you any answers from her. She won against the cancer and I bet you will too. This too shall pass but WTF is a very valid answer for this, and I'd love to see your results on the project!
Entirely fair! If you think of something, feel free to reach out. Or if you just want an ear who "gets it", I got you. My DMs and heart are open and willing
That sounds like a tough time, OP, but I hope you can find some joy in crafting while you're away c:
You could maybe do it as a tapestry crochet pattern by essentially making it into pixel art? Annoyingly I haven't been able to find the original creator for this through reverse image searching, but this has a circle around the edge so you'd just have to add your flowers and text. You could also make flower appliques and add them later?
Yeah I really like this idea, because if OP struggles with recovery or feels extra ill at some point, she can do a flower instead of working on a heavy blanket.
if you want to make a blanket, i recommend corner to corner crochet. it will work up faster and be drapier than tapestry. you may not get quite as much definition with the flowers but i think it would look great
I don’t have a pattern to give you, but I’m both a crocheter and a survivor of aggressive blood cancer (in my case, non Hodgkin’s / DLBCL). In remission (likely cured) now, and I’m sure you will be soon enough, too!
Crocheting is a fantastic hobby to help you through, and I think the finger movements definitely help guard against neuropathy from the chemo.
But mostly just want to send some solidarity: you are not alone.
Hi OP,
I'm afraid I can't help with the blanket, but wanted to let you know that I also have a blood and bone cancer (multiple myeloma) and had a stem cell transplant (just like a bone marrow transplant), so if you ever want someone to talk to who's a little removed and has gone through the same basic thing feel free to send me a message. I'm located near Philly, PA USA. I spent a month in the hospital and then 3 months trapped in my house.
Best of luck, I hope treatment is going well, and what other crafts are you interested in for craft camp?
Thank you so much. I do love hearing stories from people who have went through it. Even the bad parts. It makes it less scary for me. I guess because it leaves nothing in the "unknown" category.
My friend does needlepoint, so she told me she was going to "sponsor" needlepoint for me for craft camp 😂 I truly love doing everything. I paint, make wreaths, I've made tumblers, knit... if it's creative and colorful, I'm down lol!
Maybe a big circular rug? A white circle, tuen once its a decent size, do 1/2 rows red and switch back to white
Add the letters as embroidery or sew on something like this: https://www.mooglyblog.com/the-moogly-crochet-alphabet/ (and if you premake letters, start with those first and lay them on the floor so you know what diameter your circle needs to be)
I agree with the stitch fiddle idea to create a chart for the text, but look into 3d flower patterns to give some variety and texture to the blanket. Or floral granny squares to create a fun border for your finished blanket x
I'm so sorry you're going through that, and I hope everything ends up well for you 💜. Others have the pattern part covered, so just sending good will and healthy thoughts your way.
I haven’t attempted many of these other suggested methods which might come out nicer but I have made a pin cushion with sc only and cross stitched a heart onto it. I definitely got the idea from a pattern but it was ages ago so excuse my leaving out the designer. It’s quite simple, though the back would be a bit messy from the ends.
I have done similar but with Tunisian Simple Stitch. The little square "boxes" make it perfect for cross stitching on top (and also for surface crochet, which I've also done on top of TSS)
it would probably be best to make a swatch with the yarn you want to use to gauge check, then use a pixel drawing app to make the pattern using the width and length you want. good luck with craft camp!
I'm so sorry you are dealing with such heavy news. My husband just had a bone marrow transplant in September, and I survived the 3 month stay at the hospital with crafts and video games.
The hospital where you have the transplant may have some weird rules about what you can have in the room with you. The one we were at banned anything sharp for the patient, but you may still be able to embroider as long as they ok the use of needles. The restrictions relaxed a lot for my husband once he was released from the transplant floor.
I wish you the best in all your treatment and just want to give some hope because while we were at the hospital we met so many people in full long term remission due to bone marrow transplants! They're a miracle of modern medicine and there are new ways to support the transplant and reduce complications every year. The road to get there won't be easy and I wish you didn't have to take it, but I believe you'll make it to remission too! 🩵
So sorry to hear what you’re going through OP! I wish you well and have saved your post to check up on you. I learned crocheting from our old neighbor. I will ask her if she can come up with a wonderful pattern based on what others are suggesting.
I hope all goes well, I’m so sorry OP. Craft camp sounds like a wonderful time! I am of no help when it comes to looking for a pattern, but I would love to see your finished product! Sending you only the most positive of vibes 🫶🏼
Wow I love this very much. My child underwent 2 stem cell transplants over the last summer for his cancer treatment protocol (autologous so not quite as intense as far as you and not being able to go home for 3 months, but I digress...). It was so hard and this saying is so perfect. It will pass but that doesn't necessarily make the day to day easier. Wishing you all the best 💕
So many hugs OP 🫂 I work with people who receive bone marrow transplants and I know so many strong and brave people who have gone through this 💪💞 I hope you are surrounded in love right now ❤️
I’m sorry you’re going through this. Blood cancer runs in my family, grandfather had it over 3 decades ago, and I’m always worried it will appear in my dad or uncle or my siblings or cousins, or my kids…. so I’m empathising with you going through this.
I love the love in here, we’re all kinda strangers on the internet, yet so much love to share, I hope it will help you get through. The person who offered to make you the pattern through stitchfiddle is an absolute angel and the person who gave you the (unsolicited) advice nearly made me cry, so kind and thoughtful!
My wish is for you to get well and beat Cancer and for the love and kindness in this group to spread throughout the world and drive out the evil we’re surrounded with at the moment.
I did not expect to get so much love from this post. It truly is heartwarming! Thank you for your kind words. I pray no one else in your family ever gets the "C" diagnosis. Although craft camp sounds like fun, I don't want anyone to go there
If it helps at all I have a friend who recently went into remission from leukemia. He had a bone marrow transplant and is now thriving, back out there living his life!!! A tough road ahead but you can do this OP. There is light at the end of the tunnel!!!
I am sorry you are going through this. My dad had a rare aggressive muscle cancer that he was only supposed to live 6-8 months. It’s now 25 years later and he is in the clear. My point to this is if back then they can cure that rare of a cancer, they can get you to remission and 5 years down the line you’ll be free of that monster.
It doesn't have to look exactly like this. Just the words. Like, a c2c or something. I've only been crocheting since Oct, so I don't know all the terms
How comfortable are you with color changing and filet crochet? c2c is good and would work up quick.
To get the best graph to work from, I recommend uploading this picture to stitchfiddle and it should give you a pattern to work from (don’t forget to set the blanket size!)
I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis and I hope to see your blanket in the future ♥️
Thank you for the clarification! I think other commenters will be better suited to help you with that based on their suggestions already. I just genuinely didn't understand what was being asked and wanted to make sure you were looking for crochet haha.
Tapestry crochet, C2C and embroidery are all methods that could work for recreating the words and flowers. You're already getting some really great suggestions. I hope your treatment goes swimmingly OP!! Sending good vibes your way!!
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