Hooks, Books & Me

 2025: A Year of Grief, Growth, and the Gift of Resilience 2025 was a year of grieving, letting go, wrestling with anxiety, healing, learning, and slowly bouncing back. Losing my father in late November 2024 left a wound that carried into the new year. My mother, who had spent years adjusting her life around his illness, suddenly found herself adrift. Watching her struggle with this emptiness made my own anxiety heavier, even as I tried to care for my family. In January, around my birthday, we thought a change of scenery might help. We traveled to Tadoba and Pench National Parks, immersing ourselves in the raw wilderness. Nature has always been my refuge, and my mother too finds solace among trees and skies. She enjoyed the trip, yet soon after, she slipped back into her quiet grief. I felt the weight of it again, but I kept moving forward. Meanwhile, my creative journey unfolded. March brought the publication of my debut pattern—the Malhar Tank with Expression Fiber Arts. Tho...

  Bergenia is a hardy, evergreen perennial known for its bold foliage and early spring blooms, symbolizing resilience and renewal . Its ability to bloom even as snow melts makes it a powerful emblem of hope after hardship . The Himalayan variety, also known as Fringed Bergenia ( Bergenia ciliata ), thrives along the slopes of the Western Himalayas—especially in Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) , in the Sainj and Tirthan valleys . Revered in traditional Ayurveda, it’s used to treat kidney stones and bacterial infections, earning the name Pashanbheda , or “stone breaker.” I came across this beauty during our trip to Himachal and was captivated by its color, clustered flower arrangements, and quiet strength. This design is my attempt to capture the essence of its layered, interconnected petals and strong, sculptural shape using overlay mosaic crochet, worked in the round. About the Pattern: I love exploring how different design elements can be combined to give makers a chance t...