Debi's Crochet Contribution to Mandalas for Marinke

Here is the next of the beautiful, inspiring, special contributions coming in to the #MandalasForMarinke remembrance project. I am grateful for each and every amazing contribution. You are invited to join; learn more here.

Beautiful Crochet Mandala

My very favorite thing about this terrific  crochet mandala is the set of three flower buttons set slightly off center! Adore this touch.

Meet the Maker

This precious crochet mandala comes from Debi Y. of Dly’s Hooks and Yarns. You’ve seen her on this blog before, when I’ve shared her various patterns over the years. In fact, last year I gave her my Awesome Crochet Blogger Award for Best Crochet Baby Patterns. At that time I wrote about her:

“Debi’s blog is a mixture of her work, notes on her life, links to things she things we may like and free crochet patterns. She’s been blogging steadily for seven years. Recently she switched over to the joy of Instagram (@debi_y) but she still plans to share crochet patterns on her blog.”

Debi wrote the above message for this project, which reads:

“Marinke (Wink) was a beautiful girl. She will be missed.”

I once quoted Debi on this blog as saying:

“We crochet squares, hats, scarves, and blankets to donate so those in need can feel the warmth and comfort of someone who cares. We crochet for others before we crochet for ourselves.”

Learn lots more about Debi here.

Words by Wink

Wink made a crochet flower tutorial for Tuts+, at the end of which she wrote:

“Now that you know how to make a simple crochet flower, there is only one thing you can do next: make more flowers! These little cuties are perfect to brighten up an outfit, decorate a journal, or stick to a gift for your best friend. They are very versatile and a great excuse to experiment working with multiple colors!”

About Depression

One purpose of this project is to raise awareness about depression so each post will end with some facts, thoughts or quotes about depression, suicide and/or mental health. Today let’s talk about depression in menopause.

Julie Dargan writing for HuffPo says:

“The perimenopausal period is associated with a higher vulnerability for depression, with risk rising from early to late perimenopause and decreasing during postmenopause. Women with a history of depression are up to five times more likely to have a MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) diagnosis during this time period.”

And one menopause site says: “Women ages 45 to 55 are four times more likely to have depression than women who have not yet reached that stage in life.”

There are differing opinions on what causes an increase in depression during perimenopause but one likely reason is the change in hormones; Magnolia Miller points out that estrogen levels are linked with serotonin levels so when estrogen falls, so does serotonin.

There are various options for treating depression in menopause, just as there are with treating all other depression and include the same types of things (therapy, medication, self-care, and a combination of these) as well as hormone replacement therapy (which is controversial among some people.

All contributions to Mandalas for Marinke are welcome and will help raise awareness about depression while honoring her work in the same way that this great contribution has done today. Details to join here.