In the process of identifying my core values, I brainstormed what knitting means to me (knitting me is one of my essential states of being). Here’s what I wrote, in no particular order:
Color
Quiet
Sensory
Beauty
Experimentation
Generosity
Connection
Peace
Learning
Function
If I find knitting relaxing, it’s because it’s one of the spaces I can be truly me.
Knitting is definitely relaxing for me. I do like to knit while I stream a show or listen to an audiobook or music (because stories relax me as well), but I've also knit happily in cafes, on buses and planes, and in quiet at home. And during department meetings at work, back when I was working!
I relax by knitting now. It hasn’t always been this way though. I’ve knit about two decades and some of it was for work. I love making things and serving my family too, so there’s joy for me as well as relaxation.
I have learned to relax while knitting for sure. Used to stress me out and I’d hunch my shoulders and grasp my needles tightly. Then a friend commented, we’re supposed to be doing this to relax! Definitely made me rethink my strategy! Now I am more intentional in my attempt to relax and sometimes even try meditative knitting.
So much about the posture affects our knitting! I am trying to be conscious too and try to talk to beginners about the same. My hope is to make people aware of these things early in their 'knitting careers'. :)
I equate it to meditation. Sometimes if I know I have a long afternoon I'll tackle a hard project for mental agility. But an easy project takes me into the meditation zone.
I was just thinking about this while I was knitting earlier. I absolutely turn to knitting when I need to quiet my mind. It is the quickest way for me to regulate after a busy, stressful day.
I also usually have two projects going at once: one more complicated when I feel sharp, and one much easier to grab on the go or when I'm tired.
Marble Hall Murders is incredible. Be sure to read the other two!
You seem to have hit a perfect formula for the type of knitting, no of projects etc. Love it! I am floored by Marble Hall Murders - pure genius. I have read Magpie Murders earlier. I must have missed the other one. Have to get it soon, thanks for the reminder. :)
I suppose I am most contented when my knitting project is underway. I tend to stay with a single project until it is completed with the exceptions of yarn swatching or small gift items being done as needed. It used to be that selecting a pattern and buying the yarn and perhaps tools was part of what I enjoyed about knitting. But in recent years I have lost my 3 favorite yarn shops and am not impressed with the very limited ones that have taken their place. It is true that one can yarn shop online for wonderful yarns, and I do that. But it is not the same as being surrounded by cozy shelves of yarn just begging to be touched! None the less, I do always have something on the needles! :-) Often listening to something (audio book, classical music or TV/video mystery) and/or making a shopping list or planning a meal or a yard project while sipping some tea or other. I do knit when riding public transportation, but I put it away if I feel it is making someone uncomfortable. Because well .. we are all different and it makes me uncomfortable to make someone else feel uncomfortable. A little give and take is all I ask of the world. :-)
Ah, each one sounds wonderful! I am trying to see in my head if the ones I visited match these descriptions. Thank you! Sometimes it is amazing to think about how large the world of knitting can be.
Beautifully said, Sandy. And I agree, online shopping is not exactly the same coziness a real yarn shop can provide. I am sorry 3 of your faves had to close. :(
Yes, those shops were each perfect and also completely different! One smallish, maybe an insurance office sized space? That was wall to wall shelves and cubby holes of beautiful yarns!! And soft classical music that always kept me browsing and buying for way longer than I had planned! Another was 2nd generation and very large with big floor to ceiling windows and many tables and chairs that invited knitters to have a seat and get comfy! Aisles and aisles of wools and wool blends from all over the world and locally, too! As well as a huge selection of knitting tools and other stitchery gadgets and classes going on daily. The third was a weavers shop as well as a yarn shop and another kind of treasure trove! Ahh I do miss them. But they were each priced out of their locations and the owners were aging, too. Time marches on. Let us hope knitting marches along with it. You are doing your part to make that happen Kavitha and making a good job of it, too! :-)
Hi Kiersten, While many people love to talk with a knitter, there seems to be a few different ways knitting bothers some people. Both men and women can find it annoying. For some, it is just too old fashion and they think of it as a complete waste of time. Perhaps a little like pulling out a manual typewriter. :-) Some people see one's knitting as competition for your attention. How can they tell you about their lives, when you are so busy knitting. And yet others see it as something they would not have the patience to do and are bothered to have that thrown in their face, so to speak. And yet others see it as being too fidgety to sit next to. which seems surprisingly common, even while they scroll endlessly thru their phones. :-)
Lol! Pulling a manual typewriter is a great analogy. One another reaction may be they perceive you as more 'productive' in some way and feel uncomfortable about that.
I was actually asked not to knit while waiting to be on jury duty a few years ago. Now that surprised me. I have knit while at town meetings and was welcomed along with others who crocheted. Some do see it as a splitting of attention, which must translate as you are not giving them your full undivided attention. If only they could know that I sometimes hear parts of recent conversations when I pick-up my knitting the next day! :-)
In the process of identifying my core values, I brainstormed what knitting means to me (knitting me is one of my essential states of being). Here’s what I wrote, in no particular order:
Color
Quiet
Sensory
Beauty
Experimentation
Generosity
Connection
Peace
Learning
Function
If I find knitting relaxing, it’s because it’s one of the spaces I can be truly me.
Beautifully put! 🌷
Knitting is definitely relaxing for me. I do like to knit while I stream a show or listen to an audiobook or music (because stories relax me as well), but I've also knit happily in cafes, on buses and planes, and in quiet at home. And during department meetings at work, back when I was working!
There must be something about a good story + knitting combo that completely relaxes the body and mind. :)
Re-focuses both our mind and our body!
I relax by knitting now. It hasn’t always been this way though. I’ve knit about two decades and some of it was for work. I love making things and serving my family too, so there’s joy for me as well as relaxation.
Right? It takes a while before we can hit that balance for ourselves. Good to know you've figured what works for you.
I have learned to relax while knitting for sure. Used to stress me out and I’d hunch my shoulders and grasp my needles tightly. Then a friend commented, we’re supposed to be doing this to relax! Definitely made me rethink my strategy! Now I am more intentional in my attempt to relax and sometimes even try meditative knitting.
So much about the posture affects our knitting! I am trying to be conscious too and try to talk to beginners about the same. My hope is to make people aware of these things early in their 'knitting careers'. :)
I equate it to meditation. Sometimes if I know I have a long afternoon I'll tackle a hard project for mental agility. But an easy project takes me into the meditation zone.
That sounds like a good balance. Plain stockinette is definitely meditative for me as well.
I was just thinking about this while I was knitting earlier. I absolutely turn to knitting when I need to quiet my mind. It is the quickest way for me to regulate after a busy, stressful day.
I also usually have two projects going at once: one more complicated when I feel sharp, and one much easier to grab on the go or when I'm tired.
Marble Hall Murders is incredible. Be sure to read the other two!
You seem to have hit a perfect formula for the type of knitting, no of projects etc. Love it! I am floored by Marble Hall Murders - pure genius. I have read Magpie Murders earlier. I must have missed the other one. Have to get it soon, thanks for the reminder. :)
I'm your twin, matching all the perfection tasks which totally relax my days. Thanks for bringing this realization to me. 😊
Awwwwwww! That is such a sweet thing to say. Thank you! 🥰❤️🤗
I suppose I am most contented when my knitting project is underway. I tend to stay with a single project until it is completed with the exceptions of yarn swatching or small gift items being done as needed. It used to be that selecting a pattern and buying the yarn and perhaps tools was part of what I enjoyed about knitting. But in recent years I have lost my 3 favorite yarn shops and am not impressed with the very limited ones that have taken their place. It is true that one can yarn shop online for wonderful yarns, and I do that. But it is not the same as being surrounded by cozy shelves of yarn just begging to be touched! None the less, I do always have something on the needles! :-) Often listening to something (audio book, classical music or TV/video mystery) and/or making a shopping list or planning a meal or a yard project while sipping some tea or other. I do knit when riding public transportation, but I put it away if I feel it is making someone uncomfortable. Because well .. we are all different and it makes me uncomfortable to make someone else feel uncomfortable. A little give and take is all I ask of the world. :-)
Ah, each one sounds wonderful! I am trying to see in my head if the ones I visited match these descriptions. Thank you! Sometimes it is amazing to think about how large the world of knitting can be.
Beautifully said, Sandy. And I agree, online shopping is not exactly the same coziness a real yarn shop can provide. I am sorry 3 of your faves had to close. :(
Yes, those shops were each perfect and also completely different! One smallish, maybe an insurance office sized space? That was wall to wall shelves and cubby holes of beautiful yarns!! And soft classical music that always kept me browsing and buying for way longer than I had planned! Another was 2nd generation and very large with big floor to ceiling windows and many tables and chairs that invited knitters to have a seat and get comfy! Aisles and aisles of wools and wool blends from all over the world and locally, too! As well as a huge selection of knitting tools and other stitchery gadgets and classes going on daily. The third was a weavers shop as well as a yarn shop and another kind of treasure trove! Ahh I do miss them. But they were each priced out of their locations and the owners were aging, too. Time marches on. Let us hope knitting marches along with it. You are doing your part to make that happen Kavitha and making a good job of it, too! :-)
I'm so curious why someone could feel uncomfortable seeing someone knitting??
Hi Kiersten, While many people love to talk with a knitter, there seems to be a few different ways knitting bothers some people. Both men and women can find it annoying. For some, it is just too old fashion and they think of it as a complete waste of time. Perhaps a little like pulling out a manual typewriter. :-) Some people see one's knitting as competition for your attention. How can they tell you about their lives, when you are so busy knitting. And yet others see it as something they would not have the patience to do and are bothered to have that thrown in their face, so to speak. And yet others see it as being too fidgety to sit next to. which seems surprisingly common, even while they scroll endlessly thru their phones. :-)
Lol! Pulling a manual typewriter is a great analogy. One another reaction may be they perceive you as more 'productive' in some way and feel uncomfortable about that.
Oh yes, I am sure there is that too, Kavitha! Or, that you are distracting them from being productive. Whatever works for one who is easily annoyed.
😂
I see what you mean - hard to imagine though, right!? lol
I was actually asked not to knit while waiting to be on jury duty a few years ago. Now that surprised me. I have knit while at town meetings and was welcomed along with others who crocheted. Some do see it as a splitting of attention, which must translate as you are not giving them your full undivided attention. If only they could know that I sometimes hear parts of recent conversations when I pick-up my knitting the next day! :-)
Great post!
Thank you!