Given that few of us need to knit for basic survival anymore, why are we so passionate about it? What is it about art, beauty, working with our hands that is so compelling? Here are a couple of my musings on the subject and after you watch them I hope you’ll share your reasons in the comments. What does handcraft in general and knitting, specifically, mean to you?
Knit Better, Live Simpler.
Knitting means love to me because my grandmother taught me at age 11. I am now 77 BTW! When I pick up my needles, she always comes to mind which meant hours of unconditional love for me. When I knit for others, every stitch has love wound into it so it’s a very special gift to give. I knit a lot for Caps for Cancer, 2 Mexican orphanages and 1 hospital and I especially want them to feel that love. Knitting brings me peace and contentment, a sense of accomplishment and more love from Grandma all the way from heaven!
This is lovely Sharon. Thank you.
I hand knit to avoid RX for RA-blessed (diagnosed age 22 now age 68; meds just once for the 14-day stint to get swelling down when first diagnosed), but had finished my first afghan at age 8 and first sweater with baby/mock-cabled yoke at age 12! Have never knit anything for myself until just recently, working on a Mary Maxim sweater jacket with a loon on the back. I donate or gift finished projects to bless another. Always have a shawl going and donate those to my hospice patients; at the same time, usually, several sweaters at various stages. Never bored! Many years ago, I bought the Bond and only made the samples, finding I could hand knit with less frustration. After watching several of your videos, I dug it out and thinking about “buckling” down to get to know it better this winter. Your BOND videos are ‘AWESOME.’ Have only been a member of yours a few weeks and so far really haven’t learned anything I didn’t already know, with hand knitting, but your teaching style is EXCELLENT. Had my own knit on commission and design studio for several years. As well, volunteered at a local yarn shop to help customers “fix” or help with their knitting problems–much like your Tuesday days. Here’s a giggle: I despise knitting continental, but I just injured my right hand (dominant) and spent a few days going “nuts” not being able to use it to knit or crochet, until I discovered I could support a knitting needle in the crook between my thumb and forefinger on the dominant/injured hand; therefore, I could knit if I knit continental style with short needles and few stitches–i.e. little weight on the injured hand! Woo Hoo! Continental won’t hold me back now! LOL–smile!
Great workaround for an injured hand! I’m not fond of continental either, only because I learned English style so long ago and it’s easy for me. I say any way we get it to work is a good way, and it appears you have tons of experience which makes it easier to adapt.
Thank you, Cheryl, for the stories! I love stories that teach a truth, because they stick so well in my mind, and are more likely to change me for the better! I have knitted a long time, since my days as a Navy wife, spending lonely hours while he was at the base. I found a class and learned to knit. Your videos have so improved my skill and confidence! The things I make are nearly always given away, which gives me great joy in the making and giving! Recently, I learned about the braided balls you show how to assemble, and have made a few. I volunteer at my son’s youth center in our town in Ohio, taking my knitting along just to see if the teens have an interest. One young lady was delighted with the braided ball I took for “show and tell” and wants to learn to knit! We start tomorrow evening. I am trusting that I will be able to teach her well and inspire her to persevere through the awkwardness of learning something new. I will introduce her to your videos to encourage her to soak up all she can from your expert and entertaining sessions!
This is wonderful news Shari . . . that you are passing on the craft. There are so many proven benefits for children when they knit.
Dear Cheryl, This story cannot have been read to me on a better day than today! I am still diligently working on my first sweater. I slated completion to be the first day of Fall, September 23 I believe. I have 10 more rows and some sewing left. I know my husband thinks I’m obsessed with knitting and buying yarn. He has not objections to my “craft” nonetheless. This morning as I was in my nightgown working on it, I was thinking about the “history” of knitting. We love old episodes of Daniel Boone and I always watch the wife Rebecca knitting. In fact I found a shawl pattern he and I literally share my hooded shawl we call Rebeccas shawl. I enjoy having several projects going at once. All with a different needle size and yarn weight. Thank You so much for the enlightening read. I am feeling blessed of my CRAFT!
And you are a blessing to the craft.
I have been “crafting” for as long as I can remember! Every time I learned to do anything new, everyone in my family could guess what they would get for Christmas! I was so happy to be able to show my love for them in such a tangible way!
I started crocheting at either 5 or 6, moved on to sewing at 9, knitting at 11, and so on… I didn’t keep up with the knitting for some reason, but got a renewed interest when I became disabled at age 62. I took a beginners class from a wonderful woman who insisted that we learn 2 things if nothing else… 1) how to read our knitting and 2) how to “un-knit”!
I am thankful to this woman to this day. Everything else I learned from books. And I dove in head first! That first Christmas, everyone got a pair of gloves! Then I moved on to slippers, hats, scarves, and so on. But a sweater? I tried once, and still wish that my honey would let me take it apart and do it over, but he won’t think of it, lol!
I am so, so thankful to have found you on YouTube! I did your sweater workshop, and found my self saying “Oh! so that’s what I did wrong!” so many times, it’s funny.
I am working hard on watching all of your videos now (some I have watched repeatedly!) and I am excitedly awaiting your book in the mail any day now.
Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge so freely. You truly are a blessing!
All crafters are magicians sharing this world. When traveling thru airports and I see someone knitting or crocheting, I stop to talk to them. Its a great way to meet a fellow crafter from all over. I’m a long time sock knitter and decided in later age to try to knit a sweater. That’s how I found your wonderful website.
Crafting things is a way of sharing what we love to do. The teachers willing to share through videos & instructions are the leaders of that magic. Thank you Cheryl for your work to keep us all motivated to learn more. All we have to do is pass it on . If every crafter taught 1 person to craft ,what a calming effect that would have on a crazy world.
You have passed on a wonderful memory in form of a basket.
Thank you Cynthia. I’m so glad you have joined us.
Now retired at 83 I’m trying to knit. I first learned to knit the basics at 11 by an older sister. Actually I didn’t attempt to make anything until I had my first child. Made a sweater., still have the pattern 64 years now.
Made a sweater for my hubby which he wore one time and the seams opened up. I didn’t know about gauge or seaming, just followed the pattern. Several years later cI went to a knit shop. and got instructions to knit a dress and two piece dress. Haven’t knitted since as I was involved in business with my hubby. Married 65 years. Now. I’m feeling a bit intimidated as I would like to knit a top down blouse and try to write my own pattern. I have some Bucilla Paradise yarn which is not available anymore. It is a Ban-Lon, a lofted acetate and textured nylon. Love knitting in the round. Thinking of getting some inexpensive yarn to practice making a short sleeve sweater.
I have 5 Great Grandchildren all under 6. and would love to knit for them.
PS: Love your videos. I don’t use social media.
Oh Sandra! What great story. Thank you for it and Ban-lon. I remember Ban-lon. My mother had some. She made baby things out of it, and that was a few years ago. 😀
I grew up in a small village in Germany over 50 years ago. Knitting was a necessity. I don’t think my grandfather ever had store bought socks. There was no money. Women would gather on Thursday evenings in church for knitting hour. The pastor would read from the bible while the ladies began, continued or finished their knitting projects. In school, knitting, crocheting and sewing was taught from 1st grade on through high school. So it has been a part of me as well for all these years. It is soothing and brings me joy when I can knit something for someone else. I rarely make things for myself, socks being an exception.
Dear Cheryl,
It seems that most of my life I have been doing something. I started with paint by numbers animals (only animals, took every class I could find to learn to sew clothes for everyone in my family, found my way into quilting, etc. I had to teach myself to knit and crochet because I am completely left-handed and let’s just say it was easier than finding someone with enough patience. I became a graphic artist and then had various other jobs and through it ALL the making of gifts in whatever medium for family and friends gives more pleasure than anything. After all these years, and I am retired now, the idea of not having anything to work on or get ready for special days or charities is never an option. I know you understand this – but while I’m working on one project I’m thinking of what’s next. Thank you for the lovely stories about the Sultan and your niece. You are always an inspiration.
You are so welcome Julie, and thank you for your kind comment. I have another story to tell some time soon.
Hello Cheryl,
I learned to knit from my Italian Grandmother in the Bronx in the 1950’s. All her sisters, my great Aunts knit as well and I wanted in on the party. What a gab session in those days when it was all about neighborhodds and local knitting shops. I knitted quite a bit for family and friends and my baby boys. Unfortunately, I became a single parent and the knitting stopped. I do see as well and had to choose so Halloween costumes for little boys won out. I am still seeing up costumes but for grown men now!
I was forced to retire a couple of years ago due to a cancer diagnosis so I took up knitting again. Amazing what you forget in 25 years, but I found you on the internet and you have helped me so much. I am home bound really.
I have my first Grandchild and am knitting up blankets and sweaters and tons of hats ( I crochet too) for her. Love it very therapeutic for me as cancer is not much fun.
Thank you again for help and inspiration.
Sincerely, Denise
Bless you Cheryl. I was touched by your gift for your beloved niece. A great reminder that a thoughtful gift from the heart is far more valuable.
Thank you Judy. And she does appreciate it.
Hello Cheryl,
I still consider myself a beginner even if I’ve knitted for a while now. Each new project is a beginning after all ! I started knitting as a child but really took it as a hobby in adult life. At a pharmacy where I lived for years in Ottawa, there was a special basket with tiny wear for premees and near the basket a leaflet with patterns for those of us who wanted to participate. I took the leaflet and started. I became the anonymous donor who dropped her finished gifts in the basket. An endearing way to return to knitting. Then when I moved back to Montreal to be with my DH I found a lovely group of volunteer knitters that I joined and knitted for different organisations that helped new mothers, families in need. I also have a ”magic gift box” where I have many many folded papers with names of newborns in the family, friends . At Xmas I pick a name, and knit an afghan for that person or couple all through the year and offer it to them for Xmas. It became my way of not having requests nor complaints around a topic like ”favoritism”. I let the magic box choose. Knitting is my being-in-my-bubble moment sometimes. Other times it keeps me grounded. There is a sense of magic for me to knit something for someone. I did it anonymously for charity, and I do it as a message of nurturing and love for my private circle of influence. I also feel I contribute to peace with this activity that keeps me grounded, allows me time to reflect, moments of private wishing-well toward people. I’ve been teased at times for doing a ”grand-mother” activity. I don’t know why people think it’s a passive, wasting one’s time activity, when in the end a piece of clothing appears, a warming blanket unfolds. I rarely sit in front of tv or listen to radio without my knitting. I’ll stop my novel here Cheryl. I knit because it brings me contentment and the magic joy of giving.
Have a beautiful day and thank you for your site.
What a lovely practice, your magic gift box. I think I’ll steal that idea. 😀 I have found knitters to be smarter than the general population. Seriously. It’s a wonderful activity in so many ways.
It was such a delight to listen to the Sultan story (while I knitted!!) and to hear your story about the basket. I was enriched by those and the lovely comments others wrote. “Handcrofting,” as my daughter tells me is the best word for what I’m doing when I knit, gives me great joy to create and then to gift it to someone. One of my staff retired and I gave her a scarf thinking it would be a reflection of my value of her and her service. I was stunned when she said, “No one had ever made me something before!” Cheryl, I had tears too, because I didn’t realize that handmade things could mean so much…but I also had someone tell me they would have given all the unfinished handiwork I was bequeathed from my great grandmother, grandmother, two great aunts, and my mother to Goodwill or sold in a garage sale. “I did that with my mother’s projects,” she said. Then she commented on the Afghan I was working on, “Look at all the time you are spending finishing their project.” I was surprised by her remarks especially after it took me a half day to knit just one on the eight squares needed to complete their plan which my daughter wanted to use for their corporately knitted 109 blocks. I finished their Afghan according to their plan which was among the notes with their vintage squares, probably begun in the 1950’s (since the Poppy brand yarn they used ceased being manufactured in 1961) and my daughter enjoys its presence in her drafty office on cooler days! Her daughter says, “Grandma makes art you can wear!” Knitting is a skill, but it’s also a gift making task I love doing even when I make a mistake…it’s still time well spent…because even errors teach me new techniques!
Nothing could be nicer than receipt of your beautiful basket, made with intention, hearts and monkey. Your niece is a lucky girl to have such an auntie.
Thank you Ellen. I love making things with intention. And I love her.
My Grandmama taught me how to knit when I was about 8. I spent a week with her and Granddaddy during the summer. Over the first few days I was fascinated watching her move the needles and out came this beautifully woven fabric. I asked her how she did that so she got a spare pair of needles and a ball of yarn and taught me how to cast on, knit and purl. In just a short while I made what ended up being a scarf. I returned home with two pairs of needles and yarn my own. And I’ve been knitting ever since. Over the last 30-something years, my crafts have expanded to include crochet, tatting, cross-stitch, candle carving, and playing musical instruments. Some of these were with instruction, but many are self-taught. Now as a non-traditional college student, I recently stumbled on the correlation between handwork and reading. By knitting while reading the textbooks, my comprehension and retention have improved. I have also been applying “nerd” to knitting. My recent projects have been a Doctor Who scarf, a Klein bottle hat striped in the digits of Pi, an afghan based on the Fibonacci sequence, and a shawl patterned with a row of TARDISes. That and more in just the last 6 months. Almost everything I make is given away. It doesn’t take long to figure out that if you keep everything you make you soon run out of places to put it all. So I knit for my family, my friends and my neighbors. I think I’ll be doing my crafts until I am no longer physically able to do so.
As a young woman, I found myself enamored of fibers, colors, and stitches. I have loved all needlework, but knitting has been my passion. I knit almost every day now that I’m retired, and find great satisfaction in knitting for my family. The bonus is that my family loves what I make, and come by often to see my latest project, usually going home with a hot-off-the-needles shawl, scarf, or blanket. My interests during my life have encompassed many needle arts, but I always come back to my knitting. When I’m stressed, I visit my LYS, put my nose into a bin of wool, touch and imagine a new project, then everything is right with the world.
Lovely.
My motto – “made with love, received with love.” I have given away almost everything I have made over 40 years because that “gift” means more than anything I could have purchased. The gift was made just for that person or for someone in need. It carries part of me with it – love. The love of people, the love of yarn and the joy of creation. That’s why I knit.
I think it’s so important to pass on this knowing of joy to others so that they can join us in that satisfaction. Thank you for this sweet comment.
Thank you for your videos Cheryl, it is always a pleasure to welcome your ‘virtual’ presence. Many years ago I crocheted a small blanket out of odd scraps for my son when he was born, this was returned to me some years later to repair and was passed on to his son. The years have passed quickly so you can imagine how surprised I was when my son, now in his mid-30’s, asked when I was going to make him another crochet blanket! I duly obliged and called it ‘a mum’s hug’ as when I make anything for members of my family or friends I always put lots of love and hugs into the making process. I have knitted, crocheted, sewed and quilted and given most items away but they have all been appreciated and loved, apparently if they are away from home these items are taken with them almost as comforters. We joke about it but it is nice to know that your efforts are cherished by the recipient.
Thank you Lynda and yes . . . it’s always nice to know that your efforts are cherished. My mother died when my son was 15 months old. She of course had made him many baby items before he was born, sweaters, bonnets, booties, flannel nightgowns, baby blankets (sewn and crocheted) . . . but she had the foresight to make an adult afghan for him just a few months before she died. He’s in his mid-thirties and only recently settled down in one place and asked for the afghan which I have stored for him. How touching it was for him to realize that the grandmother he does not remember loved him so much. And poignant for me too. I use afghans she made for me decades ago, but the impact is not quite the same as watching her keep my son warm.
I love your videos! Keep doing them because they are enjoyable to watch. I love knitting because it is so relaxing and rewarding to me whether I knit an afghan out of 30 different knitting patterns and put them together or knit sweaters for me or my two grandchildren. I love the end result when it comes together so beautifully and my grandson wears the sweater I knitted for him. He is nine! I knitted my grandson and granddaughter each a snake out of variegated yarn. They love them! They can wear them around their necks they are so soft and warm.
Thank you Christy. I hope to get back out to the studio soon for more videos. It is especially wonderful when your grandchildren love what you’ve made for them, for them and for you.
The hand crafted gift is my goal, as often as possible, though not as frequent as I would like. I cherish the gifts I receive that were created by the giver more than anything. Your story was touching; thank you for sharing.
There is a reason why human beings create. We humans are created by a creator who also created all we see, touch smell, taste and experience. Because we are made by this master creator, in his image and likeness, we to create. We can’t help it! It is how we are made. It is an interior drive that gives our lives real meaning. It is what makes us human. It is what makes us truly happy and keeps us out of trouble besides! We MUST create! The greatest thing we can do is make art that honors our creator, gives necessities to others and makes what we do important.
Thanks Barbara.
The story of the weaving emperor reminded me of something my friends have heard me say many times of anyone who is causing trouble: That person needs to learn to knit! Imagine what the world would be like if we ALL learned to knit! I can’t imagine a single day without cooking, quilting, and/or knitting. It’s all alchemy or, maybe, magic. And then you get to share the magic with others. By the way, I’m impressed that you quoted Brian Eno in your email. I understand his definition of art, but I think that we often find ourselves compelled to create. There are days when I HAVE to knit — for fun, for my mental health, for others. Thanks as always for encouraging all of us.
You are so welcome Charr. And yes. I agree that we often find ourselves compelled to create.
Handwork for me is something I create, make, and enjoy working with for myself and others. I can keep, give away, and sell what I make as I please. Currently my interests are Knitting #1, Tablet Weaving #2, and Bead and Chain Ornamentation #3. I love keeping my hands and brain busy with games and puzzles and these crafts provide both.
There is a growing body of evidence about the healthfulness of hand work. Of course, we’ve known that all along. 🙂
I have got end stage osteoarthritis and knitting gives me a sense of worth. I now knit and sell heirloon baby shawls thanks to social media. Denise
I’m sorry to hear of your osteoarthritis Denise and so grateful that knitting is sustaining you in more ways than one. One of the reasons I’m such an experienced knitter is that I had polio in 1954 and it was something I could do, along with reading, after as much physical therapy as I could tolerate in a session. It helped that my mom was expert at it. 😀 And it sustained me well.
How could I forget – I have small feet. It’s hard to find socks other than in the children’s section. I hate that ridge that goes across the toes of most machine made socks….I hate it! I found a woman who can knit socks (& almost anything else) & was excited to teach me. We are good friends now…we sit and knit together. We laugh about our mistakes and exclaim over our successes & have twice as much yarn to enjoy. Now my feet are happy & so colorful. And I want roomy tops, so I have to make them myself. Lightweight wool sweaters are so much warmer than the synthetic ones.
Thanks again for this opportunity to remember all the reasons to be joyful about knitting.
candi
And I am smiling ear-to-ear reading this. It’s just so much fun!
The colors, I fell in love with the glorious colors. First it was glass beads & porcupine quill earrings. Many crafts followed until, finally now my passion is yarn & knitting & recently even a little spinning with a drop-spindle. Making anything by hand is ancient. It’s fascinating. It connects me to ‘reality’, the Earth, plants & animals, & some mysterious inner part of myself that somehow knows beauty & light. Every creative hand-made item somehow brings that inner beingness into manifestation & is a surprise to me each time. It is inside each of us as a seed & it wants to flower. My seed was smothered until I was 40 & it took years of watering to help it to come alive….it began to bloom when I was about 60. Now I am passionate about creativity & do whatever I can to help others to water their seeds. It nourishes my soul. Bless you, Cheryl for your inspirational words & teachings. candi
Thank you for sharing this delightful comment Candi . . . and your dedication to help others with their creativity. It’s a good way to spend a life as far as I’m concerned.
Hello! I so enjoyed this video, all your videos, and just wanted to commend you for making them so real, with humour, empathy for our knitterly fingers, especially old, arthritic ones, and for keeping us cheery as we knit. THANK YOU!
You are so welcome Diane and thank you for your kind comment.
I enjoy knitting because I find it relaxing. It is the me time of day. Also because I am only 4′ 10″, often store bought items do not fit me correctly. I make socks and sweaters that fit me.
Thanks for commenting Jean. I heard from a 6′ tall knitter this morning who makes feminine sweaters and socks for herself rather than always having to buy them in the men’s department.
Lovely video, Miss Cheryl. I love the philosophical meaning of the basket, what a special wedding gift. Since I design knit and crochet patterns, I am hardly ever the knittee and often the knitter, 🙂 but when my daughter was born I received (via my mother) a baby blanket/prayer shawl gift from a lady I did not know who ran a church ministry of prayer shawls. In the tough postpartum weeks following my daughter’s birth, the blanket was such a comfort to me and helped me feel connected to the outside world. I was touched by the kindness of someone I didn’t know, and it has become a treasured possession. My now-toddler sleeps with it every night. I also loved admiring the work and the color choices of the blankie even more since I didn’t have to choose them myself! Maybe it’s like the principle of how food tastes better when someone else cooks it for you. 🙂 I found a huge crocheted afghan at Goodwill once, marked $2, and bought it immediately, imagining the person who lavished untold hours on that blanket. I felt like it needed to be taken in and looked after, like a stray cat. There’s something precious about the human effort that goes into handwork that makes it beautiful. I have pondered this topic awhile and I believe it is the power of care and caring behind the work. Today there is so much apathy, and material ease (in America as you rightly pointed out), that it’s easy to be disdainful of things. I believe it’s the human love that goes into handwork, that gives it a force beyond just fiber and thread.
Thank you for this lovely reflection on handwork Sara. And thank you for including a link to your website. I really enjoyed visiting it and seeing your excellent work.
Because I am a woman over six feet tall, finding clothes that fit is a challenge. I can sew shirts and pants and dresses, but socks and sweaters have to be men’s styles. Which is OK sometimes, but I’ve been sddressed as ‘Sir’ more often than I’ve liked, so being able to create my own socks and sweaters in feminine colors and styles is important for my sense of self.
Also, the act of knitting and creating exactly what I want is calming and oh so satisfying!
Rose
Vivant assez loin de ma famille et de mes amis je leur offre mes tricots(châle, mitaines, etc) en pensant qu’un petit peu de moi sera autour de leur cou, de leurs mains, pour les réchauffer à défaut de pouvoir leur offrir une boisson chaude !
J’aimerais bien assister à vos réunions mais nous avons des milliers de kilomètres qui nous séparent !
bonne semaine à vous. Amicalement Jeannette.
Lorsque vous ne pouvez pas partager le thé, vous pouvez toujours partager l’amour des mains. Une belle pensée. Merci Jeannette.