I don’t care if it makes me nerdy - I am absolutely in love with this craft. I would shout it from the rooftops if I could waddle my way up there at the moment. Having knitted all of my nieces their Christmas gifts as well as gifts for my future father-in-law, a good friend of mine, and my mother (though hers isn’t complete quite yet), I find myself after the holidays still knitting. In fact, I’ve learned how to crochet after many failed attempts and arguments with my primary instructor (my mom). I’m not sure if it’s some weird nesting thing, or if there’s something more to it - only time will tell - I can say I’ve enjoyed my evenings in front of the TV where instead of being a bump, I’m working on some small craft or other almost every night.

I started knitting years ago, but dropped it because it took too long to knit a whole sweater and at the time I had no patience for it. I recently picked it up again because I was looking for something other than eating to do in the evening, and also because whenever I’m on a budget around the holidays I try to make gifts. Ever since I’ve made those holiday gifts, I’ve discovered a whole world of small projects that are do-able and can be completed in a few evenings at most - how perfect is that for the busy mom?! Another plus, it’s an easy craft to pick up on a whim: both easy to learn and requiring no set up unlike some of my other hobbies like painting or jewelry making. It needs very little storage space when you do get up and running.*

But perhaps most importantly there is something strongly cathartic about the feel of the wool in my hands as I work and the clacking of needles together as I create each stitch. On top of that (yes there’s more!) there is the pattern and rhythm of thought that goes with knitting that is almost like a mantra (knit, knit, purl, knit, knit, purl). My mind becomes clear and I begin to feel rested and calm. Truly I can feel the tension leaving my shoulders and melting away. I have been trying lately to knit when my son is resting in the afternoon. Since he’s not a sleeper I find I can’t go to sleep myself, so instead I put my feet up and knit for about 20 minutes. At the end, I find my patience restored and I’m ready to face the afternoon’s excitement.

Now, before you run out to buy some beautiful aran wool and research the difference between standard and bamboo needles, there’s something I need to tell you. This is not a hobby in which you are likely to produce clothes at a cost reduction over buying them***. No ma’am (or sir!). I crocheted some handbags for Christmas, and those were about 10 dollars each - that might have been a savings over store bought (and of course this speaks nothing of the spirit of Christmas and giving something you took the time to make…). If you’re looking to knit a sweater the wool cost can be high and even more than buying a sweater at a store. In the end though, you have a masterpiece, maybe an heirloom, or at least something you’ve created. That alone is enough for me.

________________________________________________________________________________* Knitting needs little storage space at first. The problem arises when you find yourself addicted and in love with bits of wool you hope to find a use for. I had a dear great aunt Gert who never threw away a scrap. When she passed away in her 90s, she literally had a room full of wool that had to be disposed of.

*** Though the wool can be expensive, there are ways to save. I’ve found many an online resource for everything from learning stitches, to free patterns.