People ask me why I knit. Knitting is a timeless craft that has been around for centuries. It relaxes the enthusiast, gives her/him a chance to create something beautiful and functional, and is a worthwhile and satisfying journey.
There are many reasons an individual might choose to pick up the yarn and needles or loom. Some of the most-often-quoted reasons by my knitting fans are:
Relaxation.
With its repetitive movements, knitting can be a relaxing and even meditative activity that helps a person focus their mind and reduce stress and anxiety.
Creativity.
Knitting offers ample opportunities for a crafter to express their individual creativity and imagination, whether one follows a pattern to the letter or chooses to “tweak” a pattern to suit their individual preferences.
Personal satisfaction.
Not much feels better than completing a knitting project and placing it in the hands of its intended recipient. The sense of accomplishment and joy of creating something beautiful for someone gives such pleasure to the knitter!
Versatility.
Knitting is a craft that can be done anywhere at any time. It can be adapted to the skill level of the knitter, making it a flexible and attainable hobby.
Community.
Knitting can be a solitary endeavor, but knitting with a group of fellow-minded yarn enthusiasts is one of the best feelings! The sense of community, whether in person or online, brings a feeling of belonging and understanding. Connecting with someone who shares a yarn obsession gives knitters a sense of joy.
In my own case, the pandemic created a dearth of knitting opportunities with my fellow knitters. Even though I knit for all of the reasons above, I’ve realized that I need the community of knitters, like-minded ladies (gents can be included, too!) who enjoy the sensation of yarn passing through the fingers as they create something beautiful, useful, and needed.
My local yarn shops (2 of them) recently closed due to the fallout from the pandemic isolation. This just broke my heart. I had nowhere to join my fellow knitters and sit in companionable silence—or not—while we crafted our wares.
I had no idea how much I was affected by this isolation until I joined two knitting groups online: the Silent Knitting group on Cat Bordhi’s website, and the weekly knitting group on Twice Sheared Sheep’s website. Two very different iterations of community knitting, these groups created instant friends for me who shared my love for all things knitted! I am so grateful that I found them!
So, share with me why YOU choose to knit or crochet in the poll below. I’d love to know how yarn crafts work for you!
Why Do You Knit or Crochet?
- Relaxation
- Creativity
- Personal Satisfaction
- Versatility
- Community
- Some other Reason
Let us know in the comments!
Happy Knitting!
Anita