I can’t say it any other way except that I love to knit. I was taught by my mother and grandmother (on my mother’s side) to knit when I think I was 12 years old. Or at least I think so because as long as I remember I have known how. My mother was a GREAT knitter and she knitted always and where ever she was. She knitted sweaters, baby stuff, hats, scarves, and above all afghans. Lots and lots of afghans. In fact she was afraid she would not live long enough to see my children married off so she knitted three queen size afghans for wedding presents for them. She has been gone now nine years and I am bringing out the first to give this January.
I knitted when the kids were little and I made a few things over the years for myself and gifts, but I have not really began to knit as much as I do until about a year ago. When I was a stay at home mom I did get into knitting but I think spinning was my real interested and knitting came along because I needed something to do with the yarns I spun. But I really would have preferred to be spinning. Now, however, my husband Paul calls me the machine. I knit when I am, sitting, walking, talking, or generally anytime I am awake. I have been really serious about knitting in the last three to four years but this last year I have not been working and I have gone over the deep end.
I think public knitting is really important. I think thanks to the women’s movement knitting fell out of favor and was viewed as a domestic task. I think that is a real loss as it is a wonderful way to create. Everyone wants to create. But thank God I am liberated enough to do what ever I want, so I knit! I have seen and learned about more and more men knitting too. Men knitting is excepted more in other countries then U.S. (what a loss for our men) So now I knit in public when ever I get a chance. I hope I help with the public acceptance. I also knit in public and at meetings or when ever I need to concentrate on what is being said. Most people think it is just a hobby and that I am not paying attention to what is happening or being said. I actually listen better with my hands moving in time. You get better attention and understanding from me if the needles are flying. I have in past have upset people with this. They think they should be able to bring their hobbies too. One set of young men after being in a meeting with two women knitting asked if they could bring their hobby of rocket building to work on in the back too. I don’t think they understood the whole different people learn different ways thing.
One of the greatest things that happens when I knit in public is that everyone has a knitting or crocheting story or memory to share with me. They tell me how they did either in the past or now they remember their mother, grandmother, aunt, or whom ever knitting or crocheting. It brings many people to great memories of good things in their lives and I get to hear all the great stories. It is a real ice breaker. Many remember how they really enjoyed the process of knitting and want to visit that again. The other great thing that happens is when young women come and ask if I will teach them how. I always enjoy passing the art down. There are so many great new patterns. The other knitting related passions for me are knitting books, podcasts, and blogs. I can’t get enough. And the best thing is I can listen to podcasts and read blogs at the same time I knit. What joy! I will post the latest of my works as we go long together. But until then here are a few of the things I finished within the last year.
From Jackets for Work and Play, The best of Knitter’s
From Debbie Bliss Rialto
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