One of the things I’m lucky enough to do is chat to knitters and crocheters almost every day. I love sharing the joy and I love chatting about knitting and crocheting. It’s my passion. Sometimes admin life gets in the way, but really, knitting is at the heart of everything I do.
I realised that while I share the joy of knitting and crocheting daily with peeps in real life, it might be lovely to share it here too. Because sometimes it can feel like we’re the only one who loves something – and it’s always good to know there are others out there.
I love knitting. It’s something I do almost every day. Now, that doesn’t always mean needles in my hands all day long (because, you know, independent retailer life means I’m running this show myself — although recently the lovely Bex has started helping out one day a week, which is fab!). But whether it’s swatching, sketching, writing, teaching or dreaming, knitting is woven into every day.
Why I’m writing this
I’ll admit, I found it hard to start this post – which is funny really because it’s all I talk about in the studio! Maybe it’s because in the world of the internet, and especially Instagram, everything looks immediately perfect and done. A before becomes an after in 60 seconds. Gardens grow in seconds, projects appear complete in a reel. Real life isn’t like that.
In the studio I often hear: “I haven’t got time” or “I’m slow”. As if slow is bad! Why is doing something quickly always seen as better? If I painted a wall in 60 seconds, how would you expect that wall to look?
Knitting is slow – and that’s the beauty of it. It slows your breathing, slows your thoughts and calm goes through your body… if you let it. Yes, there can be frustration – I feel that too when my brain says “I must get this done” – but then I breathe and say “I love the rhythm of these stitches.” Knitting is soothing stitches that calm the mind and at the same time create something. Like yoga – but with something soft and warm at the end of it to remind you of those feelings.
How long does it take?
One of the most common questions I get is: “How long did it take you to knit this?” And my honest answer? I don’t know! I’ve never timed myself because I knit for pleasure. I knit because I love it. I love writing patterns, I love designing and I love sharing the joy.
But… the answer “I don’t know” isn’t always accepted. So one year, I timed myself. I chose to knit the Farrimond Cardigan and it took me a month. (I knitted my version in the gorgeous Donegal Aran Tweed in shade 4816 Fuchsia) That’s fairly normal for me – except I also suffer from ‘castonitis’ – I’m always casting on a new project. I’ve got things on my needles that I started 20 years ago and still haven’t finished! That Farrimond Cardigan took me a month, but I know there’s a Rowan jumper sitting in a bag in my attic that’s been 20 years (and counting).
As I write this, I’m surrounded by projects waiting to be finished: a crochet blanket that just needs a couple of rows, a baby jumper that only needs sewing up, a couple of adult garments in discontinued yarns that I’ll rework with test knitters… and soooo many swatches of new designs.
The idea
So this is what happens when I start talking about knitting – I have so many ideas in my head! And like everyone who pops into the studio, I often say “not enough time.” But the truth is, we all have time – it’s just how we use it.
Some days I only knit for 10 minutes. But those little moments set me up for when I do get a longer stretch. That’s why I thought it would be fun to share my daily knitting on Instagram and Facebook stories, and then do a weekly round-up here on the blog.
Hopefully it will show that you don’t need hours to create something amazing – just a little time each day can bring both calm and progress.
Will I do it?
The plan is to be more organised with my knitting. But will I actually manage it? Or will I be swept away again in a sea of WIPs and cast-on projects?
Only one way to find out… let’s knit and see!