I knit because ..................................

Have you ever considered why you knit (or play with yarn in any way)?

For a lot of people it probably stems from the women around us - all my female relatives knitted when I was growing up. My great aunt took it upon herself to teach me when I was about 6, and persevered until I got it, quite a feat really, as she was right handed and I'm not.

With the resurgence of crafts in general, there's a whole group of (mainly?) women who are taking up their needles or wielding their crochet hooks for the first time. Dare one say it’s almost becoming trendy? It certainly fits in with the ethos of up-cycling, making-do-and creating something new in these times of austerity. But I wonder if there’s something deeper – in such a stressful world are we subconsciously looking for an activities to help us switch off, de-stress, relax?

Now I know there are some out there who would argue that “knitting” (in this instance I use the term to cover all yarn based activities!) is anything but a stress buster. And I would probably agree when thinking back to the time I realised I’d dropped a 9 stitch “nupp” 15 rows previously on a very complex Estonian Lace shawl, (I’m told they heard the language in the next village). But there is definitely a restorative element to yarn. The regularity of the pattern; the task can’t be rushed; the opportunity (proficiency allowing) to watch tele, listen to the radio, daydream – and not feel guilty for “time wasting” because you’re being productive. Knitting is a great opportunity to hone those multi-tasking skills.

I have been known to have two or three different lots of knitting on the go at the same time – I used them as a “reward” for doing all the tedious (I really don’t like house work) jobs that have to be done; stacking the dish wash, putting away the shopping, tidying the kids’ rooms, sorting the socks (ugh!) After one job was complete, I’d treat myself to a row or two – the need for a treat got so bad that I had “upstairs knitting”, “front room knitting “and “car knitting”, so that I always had a project to hand. This was about the same time that I bought my much loved mug which proudly states “I knit so I don’t kill people”.

Jesting apart – there is a really serious point to be made here. I really DO knit to de-stress. Over the years of our somewhat chaotic family life, Adoption support workers have arrived at our house to find serious levels of stress. Attachment disorder, living with a child who finds relationships so overwhelming that they’d rather shut down than trust anyone ever again, can be a soul destroying and very lonely place. Knitting, and more recently, crocheting give me the time and space to calm down, muse over how that incident could have been handled differently and ponder how to avoid the confrontation the next time – and whilst all that’s going on – I’m creating something wonderful as well........

So I ask again, you knit because ?????