{Guest Post}: Why I Knit

While I'm away introducing Connor to our family in Ontario, I asked a few other bloggers if they'd help keep Mad Passions running. I was mighty surprised when they said yes!

I am so excited to have help from Karen @ Pumpkin Sunrise ~ knitter extraordinaire, list maker, little miniature schnauzer owner and all around inspiring gal!

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I have been knitting almost forever it seems. Being an independent strong willed child, I taught myself even though my mother would have done it happily. During my teenage years, I made a sweater and a cabled blanket, both successes. While at university, I decided to make another sweater but this time completely ignored gauge and ended up with a large shapeless sweater. So my knitting took a few years off.

As a new professional working and recently married, I decided to knit another project after a friend modeled her hand knit sweater. Inspired by her creativity, I drove to a yarn store to choose a pattern, balls of yarn and needles. I made my husband a sweater that was in perfect gauge, however the sleeves were a tiny bit long so another little knitting break occurred.

When I was expecting my first child, I quickly cast on gender neutral baby sweaters. The awesomeness of the internet did not exist so my inspiration came from yarn stores and knitting magazines. Following a budget I squeaked out some cute cardigans and took pleasure knowing that I created something unique. I was a knitter. Since then I have always had a knitting project at hand.

Knitting is mainly my free therapy. I tend to be a worrier and I have knit through my personal dilemmas. With each and every stitch I obtained a calmness that no other activity could give me. I’ve knit through rearing babies, one oh so colicky. Over the years, I have relocated many times because of my husband’s career and knitting has helped with the stress of the unknown towns and making new friends. I’ve knit through my mother’s illness and found solace.

Knitting while I wait seems so productive. I’ve knit waiting for doctors, dentists, pre-concert band and chorus performances, music lessons and ballet lessons. I’ve met many curious observers sharing my passion. A better way to make a long car ride seem shorter is to knit the endless hours away.

Knitting has made me computer literate. When Ravelry made its debut, I had to be a part of an online knitting community. My fourteen year old son guided me through what now seems so simple. Just uploading photos to Flickr exhausted me mentally. From my knitting I have started a blog and have met some incredible people some who love to knit and share my interests.

Knitting has inspired photography skills. At first, I wanted a photo for my project page. One photo evolved into learning how a camera works, the different types of cameras and of course the purchasing of cameras. Over the years I have learned how to use a DSLR camera and am still acquiring skills. Seeing the world through the eyes of a camera has developed an appreciation for artistic expression. I love being present and capturing a moment in time.

I knit for so many reasons but mainly for the mittens, socks, cowls, scarves, hats, sweaters, bags, and the blankets. If you’re a knitter I’m sure you know what I am talking about. And if you aren’t a knitter, maybe I’ve inspired you to give it a try.