If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you know that I recently started knitting. I find it difficult to just sit in front of the television in the evening without doing something else at the same time. Normally I sit there with my laptop and read emails, play on Facebook, write blog posts or Google various things. I've been getting antsy lately and for some reason, just really wanted to knit. So I went out and bought some needles and some yarn, Googled "beginner knitting patterns" and I was off. I knit all that afternoon and into the evening. I picked it back up the next morning and literally knit all day, only stopping to eat. I forced myself not to pick it up the next day and get some work done instead. Every day since then I've had to fight against a strong urge to knit, allowing myself only to pick it up after dark. Throughout my life I've done a lot of the needle arts. Crocheting, needlepoint, cross stitch, embroidery, sewing, quilting, you name it I've done it. Now I can add knitting to that list.
No longer the baliwick of old ladies in rocking chairs, knitting has become hugely popular across the country these days with all ages and, surprisingly, genders. That's right, even men are knitting. Google the reason and you'll get everything from hard times to being influenced by celebrity knitters like Julia Roberts and Russell Crowe. There's just something about knitting. It's peaceful and calming. Knitting engages the hands and the mind. Time passes happily while knitting along and before you know it, hours have gone by.
I'm moving in just two short weeks and I don't have hours to spend knitting but I think that's why I'm doing it. I have so much to do that it's overwhelming me, making me just a little bit crazy. I have so much to do that I'm having a hard time getting started. Are you ever so overwhelmed by the amount you have to complete that you can't do anything? That's kind of how I feel right now. Knitting brings me some peace and calm in the very hectic place I inhabit at the moment. I have a yearning to be a spinster aunt in my tower rooms, rocking and knitting the day away and being content. Unfortunately no one in my family has a tower in which to install me and I think in reality I'd get pretty tired of it after awhile but that's where my head is these days!
Back in Texas I have a good girlfriend who is a big knitter. She lives a very hectic life, always running here and there, solving problems and dealing with family issues while at the same time trying to get her older home remodeled and livable. Sometimes she would be in residence and I wouldn’t see her all day. I’d ask her what she’d been doing and she’d say, sheepishly, that she’d been knitting.
If hard times have people knitting, I’m not so sure it’s because we can’t afford scarves and sweaters. Maybe it’s because hard times bring stress and knitting is a way to deal with that stress.
I've Googled knitting in Knoxville and find there are several good yarn shops in the area that sponsor various group knitting evenings so my new hobby may help me make some acquaintances once I get settled.
Unfortunately, ready or not, I'm out of here two weeks from yesterday so I've got to stop knitting and get busy.
Do you knit? I’d love to know what knitting means to you. Is it your port in the storm like it is becoming mine?
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11 comments:
I'm an avid knitter. Taught myself while I was pregnant with one of my kids. I decided I preferred crochet at that time because it was quicker to work up projects. But now I find knitting sooths me like crochet can't. I agree it's a zen like state. I've become addicted to knitting socks. I carry my project with me to work and where ever I go. If I'm stuck waiting I can pull it out and do a couple rows. If I get stressed at work I take my breaks and knit for 10 or 15 minutes to get back to my zen state.
Missy is an avid knitter. She joined a group here in Denver called Stitch n Bitch and met some really great people there.
I hope you find your second wind. Just take it one thing at a time and it will all get done.
Cheers,
Everett
Hello! I just stumbled across your blog today. Congratulations on discovering knitting! I learned how to knit about six years ago and went through a similar "MUST KNIT ALL THE TIME" period early on. But then I learned how to fit knitting in with the rest of my life. I love making things with my hands, and I love the meditative aspect of knitting (it's like washing dishes by hand or raking leaves for me). Enjoy!
I'm so glad you wrote this post because I've been thinking about taking up knitting too. I've never crocheted, either, so I have a question - any reason to start with crochet, or just go straight to knitting. The "side effects" you describe are just what I'm looking for. By the way, what are you making?
@Tammy- from what I understand socks are tricky - I'm sure not there yet! I love the calming aspect of knitting.
@Everett - I had no idea all these knitting groups existed, I'm definitely looking one up in Knoxville!
@Marsha - welcome! I'm so glad you found me. Fitting knitting in with my life is something for me to look forward to when I get settled. Thanks!
@Jill - jump right in there! In fact it may be easier to knit without the crochet background. They don't seem to have much in common other than the yarn. I'm knitting scarves. It's a good way to practice the various stitches without worrying about turning or increasing/decreasing, etc., plus you have made something pretty quickly. Not much need for scarves in April but by fall I'll be well supplied! Good luck! Let me know how it goes!
Every morning, work days, weekends, I sit and knit, watch the news and drink my coffee for 45minutes..longer on the weekends.
It helps me wake up, gets my brain going for the day. I love to knit and frequently have 2 projects going at once.
To Jill, one reason to start with crochet is that it's easier to learn how to hold the yarn. Then, if you have trouble learning how to hold the yarn when knitting (either traditional way) you can hold it the way you do to crochet. It works just fine.
I typically have 2 or 3 projects going also. I've got a scarf for my daughter, my socks, and a cowl I'm working on.
@LeeH - If I knit in the mornings I know I'd be knitting all day. It's a struggle but I'm forcing myself to leave the needles alone until nightfall!
@Tammy - I'm anxious to start a new project and will be stopping by a yarn store in Charlotte, NC tomorrow when I got get my mom from the airport. My first yarn store - how exciting!
Mary, its great to know that you've picked up knitting. Of course, it is addictive but at the same time, a form of therapy. Knitting has kept me sane, made my family & friends feel warm and loved and has sometimes even given me a job. I have a wonderful memory of sitting on your porch in Alpine on a hot summer day knitting on a tiny project of a belt(which I still have). Knitting, to me, is a relaxing part of my life. I hope youre enjoying yourself (it seems you are)wherever your adventure takes you next- be well and live well.
@Aline - nice to hear from you. That's exactly what knitting is for me - relaxing!
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