Why I love knitting

When most people think about knitting, they think of old women. Most people do not understand why a millennial like myself knits because they hardly see it these days. Different people knit for different reasons but for me I simply love knitting but it was not always like that.

When I was growing up, my mother would knot us jerseys and socks.  She started knitting, crocheting  and embroidery when she was in nursing school. As a young woman it supplemented her salary that she bought some furniture for herself and her mom using that money. She taught me how to knit and the only thing I ever finished were booties. I never took the whole knitting and crochet business serious because in my mind when I grew up I would have a good job and could buy whatever I wanted to wear. We were raised to only think that an office job is the only way to make it in life. This is a view that I believe limits your imagination as to what you can become in life.

When I moved to Bermuda to be with my husband it was right in the thick of the recession and I could not find work. I was bored out of my mind. Then one day I thought to myself, I used to knit in Zimbabwe perhaps if I start again it will give me something to do and I will not be bored again. The first thing I made were some ugly booties, that I tried making from memory. Then I discovered Ravelry and made the Martha Stewart Poncho and I have not looked back since.

I love knitting because

1. It calms me down, anything repetitive calms me down and reduces my stress levels. It keeps depression away.
2. I love seeing the finished product and I never keep anything for myself I give the things I make for myself away. Its the greatest feeling.
3. I have ‘met’ so many new people online, there is no one in my real life who shares my passion for knitting or crafting in general so places like Ravelry, Craftsy and Pinterest make feel less weird.
4. I get to share my work with the world.

I knit because it makes ME happy and I hope you also take time to do the things that make YOU happy!