It is not all about serial knitting
Knitter’s Life, My next online event, CraftDoodling Designs News, Other Updates, etc.
Every time someone asks me, “How long have you been knitting?” or “How long did that take you to make?” I struggle to answer. Giving a number feels inadequate. I try to offer a response that is both satisfactory and sincere. They may be content with my answer, but often, I am not.
I also wonder if my response might influence their perception of knitting—either drawing them in or turning them away—and I certainly don’t want to discourage anyone from a potential knitting life.
What would you say to those questions?
In today’s newsletter, I decided to explore my ideal answer—the one that often remains unsaid or only partially spoken in real life.
To me, knitting is primarily about the art and craft of cloth-making. I’ve expressed this in multiple posts. But it’s also not just about serial knitting—churning out project after project in a linear fashion.
Practicing knitting adds character to my life in so many ways.
✨Like most creative pursuits, knitting is a long game, a journey of a lifetime. Sometimes, it takes months or even years of practice and learning to finally hold the project of your dreams in your hands. Becoming a creative person involves developing the perseverance to show up for your craft, day after day.
✨Knitting is an undisputed source of joy. Most of the thrill comes from the act of knitting itself. Do you agree? Sitting down at the end of the day, project in hand, letting your thoughts wander as you stitch—that’s the magic. A conversation with a loved one, a pet curled up nearby, a favorite beverage, a TV show, or a book—all these can be part of the experience. Sometimes, knitting is simply how I unwind.
✨But life isn’t always ideal, right? We don’t always have the time or energy at the end of the day. Other obligations often take priority over knitting. And sometimes, knitting itself doesn’t go as planned—it can become a source of frustration. The wrong color choice, the wrong yarn, mistakes, complex techniques, distractions, any number of things can throw us off course. There are days, even weeks, when I make no progress on my projects, leaving me feeling guilty and incompetent.
✨I start more projects than I can handle, despite knowing the reality of my available time. I lose track of my stash, my WIPs, my finished items, my tools—letting things pile up until I feel overwhelmed.
✨Sometimes, I spend hours collecting inspiration for new ideas. Other times, I set knitting aside entirely to make space for other hobbies, without hesitation
✨My knitting is literally something I hold onto at times —to process rage, fear, anxiety, or grief. Sometimes, it’s a way to explore curiosity.
✨Knitting is also way to record precious moments in life, to create memories. When I look at my handknits, I am often transported back to the times and places where I worked on that project. Memories and conversations from those moments come flooding back, even ones that seemed unimportant at the time.
My knitting can be as flawed and as human as I am. And yet, that is what makes it so meaningful. It is not just about the finished projects but about the journey, the moments, and the growth along the way. Every stitch tells a story, and those stories are worth embracing, imperfections and all.
I’d love to hear from you! Share your cherished knitting memories in the comments and tell me how this beloved craft fills your cup. 💙
To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thanks! 🥰
CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES
I have blocked my Mika Vest (2nd sample) and it is ready for buttons.
Here is my favorite tutorial to sew buttons on knitwear, by Aimee Sher, if anyone is looking for one.
I will be teaching “Introduction to 2-color brioche” class at the Virtual Next Level Knitting Conference organized by TKGA, from April 4 - 6 2025. Please book your tickets, if interested.
OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT LIKE
READING UPDATES
Finished Reading 📖
Erasure - Percival Everett
Oona out of order - Margarita Montimore
Currently Reading 📖
Death at the sign of the Rook - Kate Atkinson
Until next time,
Kavitha. ♡
Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:
Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.
Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!
Introduce this newsletter to a friend!
Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.
I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!
The voice of a knitter! That is what you are Kavitha! Everything you have said in this post resonates with my knitting experience. Knitting is certainly a grounding device that we all need from time to time when life gets rocky. It can also be a tough teacher. Making you go back and start over from time to time. Your mentioning the connection between the making of a garment and your memories of your life at that time, is also my experience. As to how to answer someone's questions about when you started knitting and how long does it take to make a sweater? I usually say I taught myself as a kid from a dime store book. They may say, 'What's a dime store?' lol ... As to how long does it take? Knitting is something that I pick-up in my spare time and that varies a lot. But I try to encourage anyone who is thinking about learning to knit and sometimes offer to let them knit a few stitches to see how easy it is!
Agree so much with your post - it is fabric making , it can be frustrating, it can bring so much joy and yes - it’s the process that’s important perhaps the end result less so ( but that does not mean we aren’t seeking the best result ). So good to be amongst people who understand these things 😊👍 🧶