As I write this the temperature is 95 and the heat index pushes the temperature above 100. I like cool weather and I have had heat stroke one as a kid. It was awful. Heat stroke or heat exhaustion are real and there are warning about it today. My solution – stay inside at your home or a cooling center (library, field house, public area) and crochet!
When the temperature increases sometimes crocheters (and knitters) put their tools and yarn aside because they say it is too hot! Not I!
There is an excessive heat warning for the weekend in the Chicago area, like many parts of the U.S. People try to find ways to cool off and stay inside, just like when it’s too cold – many people tend to look for indoor activities. A wonderful activity that can be done inside, in the air conditioning, is crochet.
When I left for work this morning, I closed the drapes and the lights were off which I knew would help make it easier on my air conditioners when turned them on after work. The air in my home was much more comfortable, especially after riding on one of the few CTA buses with non-working air. There was a fan going, it was just moderately cooler in one part of the bus, but still better than outside. When I opened the door to my home, I breathed a sigh of relief, because it was cool just from shielding the rooms from the sun. After I turned on the AC and directional fans to help those pockets that wouldn’t get the cooler air without assistance… Bliss!
There is a real debate among crocheters and knitters who will not work with yarn when it is too hot. I probably won’t work on an afghan at the beach, but scarves, hats and other small projects are quite portable. Working on afghans while you are in the comfort of air conditioning is quite convenient. (Working on a afghan at the beach probably wouldn’t be a good activity anytime, because of the sand, wind, etc.) The benefits of crocheting at home when it is sweltering outside, is that you can wear fewer clothes in the comfort of your own home and still finish several rows. Plus, when you are at home crocheting, with the ac on, you don’t need to worry about being outside in the heat.
Many of us are accustomed to offices that are too cool and you have a sweater or wrap to provide a little extra warmth. That would be a great idea for a summer project. When you control the air conditioning at home, you may or may not have it on Antarctic temperatures as many offices and stores do, but it is cooler than outside. Crocheting is not a seasonal activity, it’s a hobby, a pastime and for some a career. If you are working so fast that you are sweating, then maybe lower the thermostat if you can. Keep calm, stay cool and hydrated, but whatever you do – don’t put that hook and yarn down!
