Why I Knit

Hello there, it's been a while... I'm finding I struggle with blog reading and Instagram together. So last week, I logged out of Instagram to stop the mindless scrolling session. I sign in most days but just once or twice only. How are you, I'll be trying to visit your blogs more, I've popped in now and a again. 

I've been listening to some Podcasts on Spotify whilst I cook, clean or knit, one in particular is the 'Why I Knit Podcast' by Dr Mia Hobbs @theraputicknitting on Instagram. It has made me think about
Why I Knit too. Is it just a hobby, calming or a social activity - though I rarely find people knitting except in a Knit & Natter group. There is lots of research on how it helps with mental health, so I'll not go over that. 

Do you'll leave me a comment at the end as to why you knit, crochet or sew? 

Knitting Journey - How it all began

As a child, my Mum and Nan were always knitting, so it was inevitable that I'd knit too. First my brother and I did some French Knitting with wooden cotton reels. Then Mum taught me to knit, it was very frustrating and I remember Dad getting cross with me as I was 'rude' to Mum, oops! I remember a small knitting starter set with plastic needles.

After a break, we tried again and I knitted a rhubarb pink doll with mustard gold hair. Dreadful but fortunately I did learn to knit. My Mum had a book similar to this one above, it had knitting & crochet techniques inside. There were no Youtube tutorials to help. I've always preferred to learn from a book, so I bought this book online. 

I then spent time trying some free hand Embroidery with transfers, crocheting Granny squares to make into a waist coat (donated the squares) and cross stitch before returning to knitting. I used to take these crafts to an elderly lady called Queenie and she'd say 'what have you brought today.' I loved Queenie, she always made me feel welcome, a haven of peace and tranquility where crafting happened over a cuppa tea. 

Second Sock 

Improving Skills 

Having moved and then married, I took up knitting again and made 2 jumpers, that were wearable but short. This time it was my husband who interpreted patterns for me. He's got the ability to think clearly and read what it says ha ha, rather than me guessing what I think the pattern means. I've since learnt to do tension squares and adjust the pattern, adding an extra 2" for length. I then knitted several items for my Niece and Nephew, baby items are great as they're small. Also a matinee set for my boys.

Whilst living in Kent, I set up a Needles & Lace group, a few ladies met once a fortnight with various crafts using knitting needles, crochet hooks or lacemaking such as bobbin lace. Fast forward to Lincolnshire and after another group (not run by me) folded, so I joined the church Craft Group in town. I'd not joined previously as the boys were small and it clashed with the school run. When locals' wanted a Knit & Natter group in the village, I started one in the local pub. 

We'd been running for over a year, when we thought it'd be fun to add in challenges each month. One of those was to knit socks. I'd had a go before, knitting a pair from a Debbie Macomber pattern, in the Blossom Street Fiction series of books. I'm definitely still learning, this is my fifth pair and each pair is more 'correct and better fitting' than the last. Winwick Mum has been fantastic with detailed tutorials and advice. I couldn't get the fit right around the ankles. I now cast on less stitches and it fits snug. Having a short list to work through, lots of practice and asking for help is key.  

Fish & Chip Jumper

Social Knitting

I've joined in with a few KAL (knit-a-long), a Christmas table mat for Advent and at present a dishcloth for Lent. The official KAL is a shawl but I chose the alternative. I gained the yarn for the dishcloth from the Craft group, where people donate unwanted craft items. I've joined in with a few Attic 24 CAL (crochet-a-long) blankets. But mostly I knit and crochet whatever I feel like. 

I often have a washcloth on the go, they are small and portable, often with a basic repetitive pattern. Ideal for Knit & Natter, when you can't concentrate on complicated patterns. I'm working my way through this Dishcloth knitting book, also some crochet cloths sometimes. The pink washcloth is from another book that I borrowed from the library. It's called Knit Yourself Calm  There are some lovely simple patterns for different abilities. One of the ladies was interviewed on the Why I Knit Podcast. 

Using up yarn from my stash, I'd bought this yarn and a darker yarn to teach my two boys to knit. Thankfully they've learnt, though they'll say they've forgotten. It's never easy to teach people to knit or crochet. I helped teach some crochet to the WI ladies craft group, we had a lot of laughs whilst teaching them new skills. There are four groups that I can go to, the WI craft group meet bi-monthly, two local groups: knit & nattter & a village pop in - I rotate, as they're on the same day. Lastly one in town, I drop in if I'm shopping that day. 

I tend to visit just one each week.

Why I Knit

Since setting a goal to knit for 20 minutes a day, I look forward to knitting, finding it relaxing. It definitely stops the mindless scrolling, so for that alone it's good. It's just as enjoyable as a social activity at Knit & Natter as to knitting with the TV on, or whilst listening to a story. Joining in with Knit & Natter groups, KAL & CAL has improved my understanding of patterns. There is always someone who can help. If it wasn't for the group, I'd have given up on knitting socks. 

I tend to have several projects on the go at once, some say it's because they need different things from different patterns. For me, I guess that I just have too many things on the go at once. I always try to focus on a top 3, simply because some things are too complicated to knit at Knit & Natter. 

I'm not sure that I use it for my mental health as I just think about knitting as a hobby. I do however notice that I'm never still, when sitting down in the lounge I'm always doing something eg writing a list, craft, reading, scrolling or admin stuff on Facebook. Knitting allows me to stop, no thinking, no fidgeting just calm and relaxing. 

WIPS (work in progress) 
A washcloth - small portable that needs little concentration if the pattern is simple.
A pair of socks - determined to get the fit right, for WI monthly competition to make socks. 

A dishcloth - for the Lent KAL Facebook group. 

What about you,  do you knit?
If so Why Do You Knit?

Thank you for visiting x