How quickly the final week of the Maslow’s Rainbow Cal has come around! Can we slow it down now so we don’t have to finish?  Like reading the last few pages of a book super slowly because you don’t want it to end?

Alas, bending time is not something which is in my tool kit yet so I guess we should keep moving forward!

So, this is last week’s spaced cluster section representing Esteem.  It’s a bit of a yarn eater but I hope, like me, you love making clusters, bobbles and puffs.  It just makes me happy!

Self-Actualisation

Now we get to the end, lets talk about self actualisation.  In my own words I would describe it as being the best you that you can be.  Reaching your full potential.

Here’s how I see that translating to your real life. There is no final single goal or point where you will ever have the perfect life.  Life is always changing.  We are always moving forward.  That doesn’t mean that we can’t self-actualise, because part of being all you can be is having a certain mind set.  It’s where you continue to learn and grow and it is accepting yourself in every way.

Accepting your imperfections and foibles is essential because they make you who you are, just as much, if not more than all your easier to love attributes!

That’s not a way of abandoning responsibility for your actions or for giving up on trying to breaking bad habits or improving, but it’s a way of finding peace with yourself, not beating yourself up for every mistake you make.  And we ALL make mistakes!

Self-actualisation isn’t an academic, financial or material achievement.  It’s about the way you respond to the world around you and your own inner thoughts and emotions.

In Maslow’s original theory, he identified a group of characteristics of self-actualised people.  I’ve paraphrased to give you a summary.

Self actualised people…

can handle, and even embrace uncertainty and ambiguity.

accept themselves and others for what they are

can be spontaneous, prioritising the journey over the destination

are motivated by learning and growth, focusing on problem solving

can look at life objectively

are often highly creative

are resistant to conventional culture, but do not intentionally seek to be rebellious or cause outrage

establish deep satisfying interpersonal relationships with a few people but are concerned for the welfare of all human kind

are humble, grateful and capable of deep appreciation of basic life experiences

have purpose

are able to be in the present moment

don’t sweat the small stuff

ARE NOT PERFECT!

So how the hell am I going to reflect that in a crochet stitch?

Well, I’m going to give it a go with the beehive stitch pattern.  It looks complicated but once you get down to it, it’s all the simple stitches.  Simple parts making something complex and beautiful.  Like flippin poetry! It’s an open stitch pattern which I hope is indicative of the open mindedness of the self-actualised person.

Tenuous?  It works for me.

One last time… Let’s go!

Pattern Notes

• This pattern is written in US terms (you can see a UK stitch conversion chart here)
• Turning chains do not count as stitches unless otherwise specified
• Instructions between *asterisks* should be repeated as indicated

Stitches & Abbreviations (US Terms)

st = stitch(es)

ch = chain

sc = single crochet (Uk double crochet)

dc = double crochet (UK treble crochet)

sp = space

sk = skip

rep = repeat

rs = right side facing you

ws = wrong side facing you

Written instructions

Section 5: Self Actualisation – Lilac

Note that this section will be wider than the rest of the top when blocked, your stitch count will also increase – this is intentional as it creates a wider section to cover the shoulders

Row 1(RS): Ch1, turn, sc in each st to end

Row 2: Ch6 (counts as dc, ch3), turn, sk 2 st, dc in next st, *ch3, sk 2 st, dc*. Rep * to end

Row 3: Ch5 (counts as dc, ch2), sc in next ch3 sp, ch2, dc in next dc, *ch2, sc in next ch3 sp, ch2, dc in next dc*. Rep * to end

Row 4: Ch6, turn, dc in next dc, *ch3, dc in next dc*. Rep * to end

Row 5-7: rep rows 3 and 4 or until your section reaches around 5 inches tall

Fasten off 

Video Tutorials

Right Handed

Left Handed

Now you have your two panels done, we will move on to joining and finishing!

Finishing

Sew in ends and block both panels to size shape (noting the top section will be a little wider

Place two pieces right side together

Side Seams:

Using relevant colour yarn for your section (and the long tail if you’ve left one), stitch seams up the side through the first 3 sections, leaving the top two sections as arm holes.

If you are working with different heights, measure around 8-10 inches from the top of the panel downwards and sew the seams to that point to create the arm holes.  You want to make sure you have plenty of room for your arms!

Shoulder seams: 

On each side, sew in the shoulder seams around 3-5 inches across from the outside of each shoulder inwards. You can vary this number to change the width of the neck line to fit – make sure you have plenty of space for your head!

Fasten off

Sew in any remaining ends

Turn right way round

Enjoy your  Self Actualised Maslow’s Rainbow Top!!

And there we reach the end of this CAL!

Thank you SO much to those of you who have got this far, either doing it live or way down the line.

Please carry on tagging me in your makes using #MaslowsRainbow on Instagram or on my facebook page as I can’t wait to see your finished tops come to life!  Once I’ve finished my second version I’ll update this post too so you can see what the DK and the chunkier versions look like!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little journey and learned something either about yourself or a new crochet stitch. It’s been awesome having you along!

Big Love

Dx

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