The Roots of Mija: A Legacy of Craftsmanship and Mindfulness
One of my earliest and fondest memories involves sitting beside my grandmother, Magdalene, immersed in the art of knitting.
My sisters and I often found playing in the garden, making pizza dough, tending to the chooks and collecting fresh eggs, or nestled among the vibrant hues of her crochet couch to learn the basics of crafting. With infinite patience, she would guide our small hands through the basic stitches she had mastered over a lifetime. The pieces we created were simple—scarves and small squares—but to her, they were treasures, symbols of love and connection. I lately realised that they were my first steps into a world of mindfulness and creativity.
My Grandmother, Magdalene, was a master of both crochet and knitting, known for her mood-boosting use of vibrant colours and this reflected her style very much, as she was always seen wearing colour. Her creations—jumpers, blankets, socks, cardigans—were not just garments but expressions of her vibrant spirit. These pieces remain cherished in our family, sparking fond memories whenever worn.
Mija's handmade capsule draws deep inspiration from her. When 2020 brought the world indoors, I reconnected with knitting amid the pandemic's quiet chaos. If that year was marked by baking, gardening, and crafting, knitting endured for me as a daily sanctuary.
Knitting, like other mindful crafts, offers more than just a mental break. It reduces stress, stimulates brain function, and fosters a presence of mind that I had longed to embrace. The joy of gifting these handcrafted tokens and seeing the joy that they brought to others sparked a profound realisation in me about the power of slow, mindful living.
Thus, Mija was born—a tribute to the tranquil art of handcrafting and the legacy of a beloved grandmother who showed me the beauty of creating with intention and heart.