When I’m not reading, you will find me knitting. Being a knitter is a hobby, a past time, a way of life. It is something that I work on everyday, not just because I enjoy watching the progress of whatever project I might be working on, but because it is my relaxation time. I am somebody who unfortunately happens to be an over thinker. I struggle to find time when my mind isn’t questioning, well, everything. Knitting time, however is for me, the opportunity to silence my mind and banish all of the thoughts that I usually have. I suppose you could say that knitting is my zen time. It’s hypnotic: the rhythmic motions of unwinding yarn and of passing it around needles. It’s the determination to create something with nothing but your two hands, a ball of yarn and knitting needles. You literally start with nothing but an idea and end up with a project you’ve put your heart and soul into. Knitting I believe, is a form of magic.
I have always been interested in knitting. Growing up, none of my immediate family members were knitters. However, whenever I would visit relatives, there would always be one of my aunties working away on a knitting project. I was always fascinated by what they were doing. I used to sit and watch their progress. Maybe I was always supposed to have knitting involved in my life?
When I was nine years old, during a visit to see my grandparents, my grandmother taught me to knit. I can still remember it clearly. I was using pale pink plastic knitting needles and the most revolting yarn. It was a hideous maroon-brown-red colour which was unappealing enough, but as also incredibly rough and itchy. Not exactly the most pleasant of options. I was not a natural knitter. Dropped stitches, picked up stitches, terrible tension. In fact, there was such a lack of knitting ability that I actually managed to snap the tip off one of the needles,during making a stitch. And these were solid plastic needles. Do you have any idea how difficult it is trying to learn how to knit using one blunt and one regular knitting needle? Surprisingly though, that wasn’t enough to make me give up.
Since I very poorly learned the basics, everything I have learnt about knitting has been as a result of ongoing practice and the internet. I used to spend hours practicing how to knit. I never made anything, just knit until I reached the end of the yarn ball, then unwound it and started again. But doing that slowly allowed me to develop decent tension and leaned not to drop stitches.
Without being arrogant, my knitting ability has definitely improved. And thanks to the internet, I’ve been able to teach myself how to cable, use circular needles to knit in the round, interpret patterns, create items independently and be proud of the time that I have invested in them. Knitting might still be considered to be an old lady past time in some circles, but it’s something that I am grateful to have the ability to enjoy, every time I sit down to knit.
So with that out of the way, I thought that I would share the projects I am currently working on. Somehow I have gone from one project to working on three simultaneously.
Project 1: Coloured Squares Blanket
I started this blanket six weeks ago as an attempt to use up all of the random odds and ends of yarn I have. I’m having such a good time seeing how all of the colours are coming together, it’s the only project I’m working on at the moment.
Project 2: Coloured Stripes Blanket
In March, I began this blanket, creating a repeating stripes pattern. I still have a way to go and haven’t worked on it in a while, but it will look great when it is finished.
Project 3: Blanket For My Dad
After inundating my family with progress photos of my other two blankets, my dad asked if I would be able to make him a blanket. Having another reason to occupy myself with knitting is always welcome, so I said it wouldn’t be a problem. The only request my dad made was that he would like the blanket to have stripes. Colour and design were decisions left up to me. Eventually I decided on 100% wool in self striping shades of blue. It’s the blanket I have spent the least amount of time working on (sorry dad!), but I know that it will be cozy and warm whenever it is big enough to give to my dad.
So there you go a bit more insight into what I like to do apart from reading. I think I might periodically post photo updates of these blankets to document progress and encourage me to work on all of them.
What hobbies are you involved in?
introvertednurse 