Why I Knit

the never ending sock blanket

Why I knit defines who I am, I'm sure it defines you as well.  I have been a knitter for such a long time that I cannot remember a time when I wasn't knitting something.  I knit for many reasons and I thought I'd share them here with you.

I knit because it's fun

There is nothing in the world like finding a perfect wool and dreaming up what that skein can become.  Whenever I purchase wool the possibilities are endless and sometimes I knit the project that I imagined and sometimes I knit something else.  The unpredictability of future projects draws me in.  Stitch markers are another small decorative but functional item that thrills me to no end.  Decorating your knitting with meaningful, delightful markers....well it's like jewelry!


I knit because it's healthy for my well being 

I easily enter a meditative state of mind, soothed by the endless stitches in front of me.  Following an intricate pattern crowds out the niggling worries that bite at the edges of my mind.  I'm a reformed chronic worrier.  I strive for positive thinking and you know what?  It's a challenge to change doom and gloom thinking.  Knitting helps me to be positive. Knitting gives me an immediate focus so that I achieve my positive thinking goals.  Being present in my life becomes a snap when there is a project in my lap, in my hands and in my busy thinking brain.


Knitting is an artistic expression for me

I pick the yarn, the needles, the pattern.  I cast on and then the magic begins!  I tweak a pattern, maybe change the design a bit or a lot, I alter shaping or sometimes I frantically think up a solution for not enough yarn.  I've designed sweaters specifically to fit me and I'm proud of my skills.  Colors paired, textures created all at my fingertips letting me express myself.  If you look at my knitting you will not find many bobbles or seaming of edges.  You will see I prefer wool silk blends and hand dyed yarns.  You might notice that I love top down sweater construction too.

the baby blanket is nearly finished

I knit because it's a portable project

When I was first pregnant many years ago, I was stressed by sewing pins that could be lurking in my carpet that the crawling baby could discover when I was at the sewing machine.  Now you and I know I am too vigilant to ever let that happen, but the 'what if' thinking had me putting away my sewing supplies and pulling out some knitting.  Oh the portability.  One single bag, one project - two needles or one if your thinking circular needles are one.  I loved how quickly I could tuck away my project, grab a bag and go!  I could knit at doctor offices, waiting rooms, car rides, plane rides, sitting in the backyard in the sun, well nearly anywhere -  bliss! I could pick it up and put it down easily and the benefit of knitting is that you can see instantaneous progress.

not much progress on my shawl

I knit because of community
 
Through knitting and through Ravelry and the world wide web, I've met like-minded knitters.  People who value this past time as much as I do.  I am inspired by many of your knits that you post about.  I'll see a new 'have to have it' yarn.  I watch you dip your toes in spinning or dyeing wool for yourselves or if we are lucky for us knitters.  Friendships have been forged through knitting, in real life and here in our community.  I've witnessed compassion and kindness and throughout the days I see love.

Why do you knit?  I'd love to know!

Comments

  1. Why do I knit? Because I'm absolutely fascinated by it! Being a knitter is like joining a secret club. So few people around me know how. Combined that with beautiful yarns in unbelievable colors and textures, and the new friends online like you who share the same excitement, has made it the most wonderful hobby!

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    1. a secret club that isn't so secret with the dawn of ravelry! isn't it nice we find each other?

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  2. Yes to everything. This past year has been difficult because my knitting has been non-exhistant or extremely slowed. I am so happy to be able to knit again. Your blanket is amazing and I'm very happy to hear you're pain is controllable and you can knit to your hearts content, too!

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  3. I enjoyed reading your post. Why do I knit? Although I don't currently have the time to knit as much as I would like, one of the reasons I knit is because my grandmother taught me to knit, my mother knits and I feel privileged to be carrying on the tradition. I love to make things that might possibly be passed down to future generations :)

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    1. I have many family members who knit and I think of them as well when I knit!

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  4. I knit because I love to see the patterns emerge, to calm my mind after a hectic day, and to give me a place to connect with other knitters.

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    1. we are similar :) My days are not hectic buy my mind is!

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  5. I rarely knit these day preferring to crochet but I love the creative process from choosing the yarn to altering and making a pattern. I wouldn't be me without some creative outlet.

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  6. My grandmother taught me to knit when I was 8 or 9 years old and I have always loved the quiet, meditative times when I knit. I haven't really knit much since the beginning of the year, it was a very busy and stressful time for me and knitting probably would have helped me through, but I just couldn't concentrate. I've just started two projects and am enjoying that quiet time with my knitting once again.

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    1. I hope the rest of the year gives you oodles of knitting time!!

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  7. I knit because I love keeping my hands busy and I love making woolly things for my loved ones! I love taking a ball of yarn and having it become something lovely to wear! I just love everything about knitting!!!

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  8. We have very similar reasons for knitting. I love the feeling of creating something. I love keeping my hands busy while watching TV, at a sporting event, reading. I like that I am multi-tasking. I especially love knitting gifts for others. I feel like I am giving something that nobody else can give them - my own creation.

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    1. definitely agree with you on the tv productivity!

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  9. Oh, that blanket!! Wow! That saying - 'I knit so I don't kill people...' Yean, that.

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  10. What a lovely post! I love hearing why different people love the things they do. I can't really verbalize why I knit, but there's a lot to do with the act of making, of incremental progress, of keeping my hands busy, and of taking up some mental space.

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    1. you are so talented so I'm glad you knit!

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  11. I wish I could answer your question! : ) As you know, I don't knit. Well, I can knit, I know the basics, but can't seem to stay focused enough to ever finish anything. In a few years we will be living in a town that has a yarn store...I think that will be the first place I begin to frequent once we move! Your work makes me sigh and dream of being able to do the same. xx

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    1. I think you are knitter deep down inside.. :)

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  12. I love the industrious feeling I get when I knit. I'm making something useful and that is a rewarding feeling! :)

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    1. I agree! Love the word industrious too :)

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  13. What a wonderful post, a lovely insight into you. I knit to make something useful, I admire beautiful yarns but only buy what is practical for the projects I need to make. I never knit projects just beacuse I want to. I love that we all do it for different reasons but still connect through it. I too knit everywhere it is a fantastic icebreaker I have got chatting to people in so many places, just because I or they were knitting :)

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    1. I love your reasons - and I agree with meeting so many people!!

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  14. What a wonderful post, Karen. So much of what you expressed holds true for me as well. Although I have to confess to being a non-reformed chronic worrier.

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    1. it's a cross to carry for sure. I battle it less and less but when I do it feels like it's all the time.

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  15. I knit because I knot stop. A day or stretch of days without knitting leaves me ill tempered and cranky. I knit for charity I knit FOR me. I love the yarn magic. I still cannot get over the fact that one sock can be made of a single long piece of yarn

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  16. I've always said knitting is my yoga. Man, your sock blanket is huge! You are so patient with it.

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  17. Lovely post Karen. I knit for stress relief and peace. There's just something about being creative that helps :)

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  18. For many of the same reasons. The repetitive motion is very calming and besides .....when you knit in public (especially socks), people think you are VERY clever! LOL

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  19. Knitting is a big stress reliever for me (most of the time!). This week I've knit a pair of socks and today I started another one and am already up past the heel - studying for a university exam later this week, and I can knit while looking at notes. I get huge amounts of knitting done while studying!

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    1. good luck with your exam, I bet knitting will get you an "a" on the course!

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  20. Loving the blanket Karen. I knit for many of the same reasons...it is calming, I like to create, it keeps my hands busy, I love taking a raw material and making something useful, it brings me joy, and it is something I can share...with friends, family, blog friends, and so many people want to learn, it's fun showing them how.

    Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

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    1. Oh I do love to show them how! I forgot that one...

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  21. I also knit for many of the same reasons. I love making useful things. I love the meditative times. It's perfect for long, boring meetings and waiting of any kind. Playing with color in my hands just feels good. And community.

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    1. Color combining is a skill that I have improved over the years, it wasn't easy at first.

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  22. You hit my reasons for knitting very well. I, too, love its portability and also the fun of knitting for my grand kids. They are still most appreciative although the day is coming probably when grandma knitting won't be cool. Then I'll knit for myself and probably charity. I love to have something in my hands to keep them busy!

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    1. you might be surprised at how long they love your knits!!

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  23. Many great reasons to knit! I am glad you love to knit! These are the reasons that I love to crochet. xx

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    1. you have crocheted so many lovely projects since I've read your blog!!

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  24. I love this blanket so very much! It is still in the back of my mind that I will cast on one of these - soon.

    And your reasons for knitting are so very close to mine. My biggest reason is it is a stress reliever for me. The repetitive nature of the craft calms my mind and honestly brings down my blood pressure.

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    1. I cannot imagine not having a stress reliever! It puts me in a meditative state every single time.

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  25. I love all the reasons you knit, they are wonderful! xx

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  26. All of these reasons yes! Knitting just makes me feel good! I get to create beautiful useable art, only people create like this will understand.

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