Uh oh… I think I’ve done pretty well keeping this weekly record going! But one of the things I suspected might happen has happened — I’ve forgotten to take photos. Not because I don’t want to share them, but because sometimes I just crave the relaxation that comes from the soothing rhythm of the stitches.
There’s a moment when the mind clears completely – when it’s just you, the needles and the stitches. And in that moment, everything else fades away… including the thought of picking up the camera!
That’s the thing about knitting – it’s so much more than a finished garment. Those of us who knit already know this, but it’s not something that’s easy to explain to non-knitters. The ‘side effects’ of knitting are unseen, but deeply felt: the calm, the focus, the sense of connection between mind and hands.
This week I’ve been working on the sleeves of my new child’s chunky jacket design. Because they’re small and worked in chunky yarn, they’ve flown by – a few rows in the evening here, a few rows during the day in the studio while chatting to visitors. Before I knew it, both sleeves were done!
By Friday, I’d started the right front, and on Saturday I carried on – though it’s still not finished. The left front took just one day last week, but that’s the beauty of knitting: some days you have a few peaceful hours to immerse yourself, and others it’s just ten minutes here and there.
And I’m fine with that. I’m a process knitter at heart – I love the act of knitting as much as the finished piece. So I’m ending this week with an unfinished right front and a happy heart, knowing I get to keep knitting tomorrow.
Now, about that studio admin I promised myself I’d keep up with… well, let’s just say it’s a work in progress too!