Have you got your Easter weekend knitting organised?
I am relaxing with the Philippa Jumper this weekend – just simple garter stitch in the gorgeous Donegal Tweed. I love garter stitch. It’s one that you can just pick up and put down without thinking about it.
So if you are busy with family and friends, preparing meals, or out and about and have a spare few minutes – or half an hour or more – it’s perfect to pick up (rather than doomscrolling!). And while people might think you are “just knitting a jumper”, what they don’t know is the positive effect it’s having on your mind. It’s a reset and a calm, and we all need one of those every now and then – especially at the moment.
A new knitter popped into the Skipton studio looking for their first project. Like many people, they knitted as a child but hadn’t picked it up since.
They didn’t know where to start. And that is the thing with knitting and crochet – and if you are a beginner reading this, that feeling of “what shall I make?” never completely disappears.
Sometimes you know exactly what you want to make next, and sometimes you cast on something and are already thinking about the next one, or wondering what it will look like in another colour.
I remember years ago when a new knitter came back in – and I thought they had a question about their knitting – but instead they looked concerned and whispered, “am I normal? I’m already thinking about the next project and I haven’t finished this one?”
Yes. You are officially enjoying the joy of the soothing stitch. Welcome to the wonderful world of wool – it’s going to be a magical ride.
And that really is all we can do: one stitch at a time. There will always be another stitch.
This Easter weekend I have chosen garter stitch and the Philippa Jumper. Garter stitch is perfect for a busy weekend, with plans that may change or take longer than expected. It’s a true pick up and knit – no thinking required.
It’s also great when things feel overwhelming and you need to reset your mind. And it’s ideal for box set watching too. If all you want for Easter is quiet and calm in your own company and your favourite series, garter stitch fits perfectly.
What knitting or crochet have you picked for the weekend?
Or maybe you’ll have to wait until another weekend – but your project will always be there for you, waiting without judgement in its bag. It doesn’t mind how long you leave it. It’s always ready when you are.
So this weekend I am knitting the Philippa Jumper while I let my mind sort out the next project I want to make, because the list keeps getting longer every day.
There are reknits – the Calza Socks and Billie Bootees are the two I can immediately think of.
And then there are new designs… things in 4 ply. Eek – they are going to take a little longer than the chunky tank top and the aran jumper currently on the needles but I can’t wait to cast them on…