Here’s my photo of the latest arrival of Wollmeise Wool Mice in the shop. 🙂 Tricia from Earthly Hues sent us this amazing box of chocolates and when you open them up, there are two mice nestled into the layer on top. There must be a nut in there, but they’re too cute to eat. This company gets a lot of kudos for presentation. 
The whole wooden box of chocolates was tied up in a beautiful red ribbon with a gold wax seal on the front. That means that our postman wasn’t able to open it up, sneak some chocolate, and then deliver it to us later in the day. Not that he would do that. I’m sure not. (Now Brenda, the UPS gal just might. She loves chocolate and sometimes needs a handful of Loopy kisses to get her through the day…)
This gal is obviously not unwrapping Loopy kisses, or knitting, for that matter. Although maybe she will take it up now that she might be able to use her fingers again. (Holy cow.)
This month’s blog contest question is a two-parter. 1) Why do you knit? and 2) Do you think you’re a knitter-for-life or do you think that this is what you do “now” and you’ll move on to the next thing eventually? For me, I knit because I like having something to do that is relaxing. I knit because there are so many beautiful colors and fibers out there that I want to see done up. I knit because it’s something that Knitting Daughter and I can hang out and do together. I knit because I like hand-knit socks and scarves (and mitts and gloves and sweaters.) I knit because it can be very challenging, or very mindless, depending on what pattern I choose. And yes, I will be a knitter for life. I ran out of things that I wanted to cross-stitch long ago (and really, how many things like that do you need in your house?) and I caught up on my scrapbooks a few years ago (although I will still do that with current photos), but I can’t imagine running out of knitting inspirations, or the need for hand-knit items in my life. Plus, it will take me close to forever to use up half of the things in my stash. How about you? Why do you knit? And do you see yourself doing this for now, or forever? Leave your answer in the blog comments and we’ll draw the winners a week from today. (The prizes – Wollmeise. You’ll like it!)
Sheri wishingthatthefluorescentlightsinmyofficewouldstopbuzzinganddrivingmenuts
I knit because I’m compelled to create things, and knitting is portable and fun. I love wearing the socks I’ve made, and I love giving things I’ve made as gifts. I can’t imagine that I’ll ever stop. There’s always a new pattern or yarn that is calling!
I knit because it is relaxing. I’m a knitter for life this time (knitting just didn’t ‘take’ with me when I first tried back in the 70s). While it may go on a short hiatus every now and then I’ve got plenty of yarn and books to last a long time…..
I knit for so many reasons!
I love yarn. I love the process. I love having FO’s. I love having nifty little gadgets – needles, row counters, etc. And, everything is relatively small and portable. I love the people interaction.
I am going to say knitter for life. I learned to knit in high school and dropped it in college. I picked it back up again 3 years ago and haven’t looked back.
Although I didn’t learn to knit until I was in my thirties, I am now a knitter for life. I knit because I touch. I knit because of how the yarn feels, because of how wooden knitting needles feel, because of how the finished objects feel. I knit because of the way cables feel relative to their surroundings. I knit because my touch on the yarn binds me to the touch of the yarn on the person who wears the finished object. I knit because as I am touching yarn and working a pattern, someone else across the world is touching a different skein of the same yarn, and working a pattern, maybe even the same one.
Color comes in a close second — I am a sucker for handpainted yarn and natural dyes and the way different fibers take on different colors. I can sit and hold a skein of undyed wool and marvel at how it looks in the light.
I knit for peace of mind. I knit for magic. I’ve made dozens of pairs of socks, and I still get that little shiver of delight when I turn the heel. I knit because if I keep going I’ll eventually get to cast off.* Yes, knitter for life.
*Do I need to explain that? I’m a classical pianist, and nothing in classical piano is ever done. The piece of music I’m working on can always be better. But that sweater I finished? It’s done, Baby! Ain’t no goin’ back.
I’m a lifer. Knitting is very relaxing to me and in the end I have something wonderful to wear or to give to someone who will enjoy it.
For me… knitting can be all consuming and intricate…. or mindless and very comforting. My Grandma was a wonderful knitter… and I guess I just figured it must be in my ‘genes’ so I learned and loved it. I will do this for as long as I can. The fiber, the colors, the feel of it. I also see myself expanding out to spinning, weaving, dyeing… (maybe even shearing!!)
Knitting is my form of relaxation. It takes me to a place of relaxation (ok, there are a few projects that don’t quite do that…but they are not theones I sit down with in the evening or during particularly stressful times). The repetitive motion seems to help me think. I love the fibers and the colors and I love when I have a finished object that I (or someone else) is happy about. I am pretty darned sure that I will be a knitter for life. I have knitted since I was a little girl, and have done other things like needlepoint, crewl, cross-stitch, crochet, etc. in between, but I always return to the knitting. Someday I do hope to also take up spinning, but consider it a side trip, as I can then knit with the finished product!
Knitting for me is a way to relax when I have the time, a way for me to make unique gifts for friends and family, and a way for me to join and meet people with a similar interest. I see myself as a knitter for life, my mother and grandmother taught me to knit at a young age. Although I’ve knit off and on since that time, I’ve always come back to it. There are so many new products, fibers, patterns constantly coming out that it makes the hobby fresh and interesting all of the time.
I’m a knitter for life. I know that because when I stop for any length of time, I go nuts with NOT knitting! (Life gets in the way, etc., being why I might stop.)
I love to knit because I can make cool stuff that is warm and can help others. I knit because I love the beautiful colors and beautiful fibers. I like to knit with others, but I also like to knit alone. I like to try new patterns and new yarns, but I also like my old favorites. I don’t think I’ll ever run out of things to knit, only time to knit.
i started knitting again because i wanted someting tangible to show for my efforts. at my paying job, all my results are virtual — very nice and all, but nothing beats having something in hand to show myself and others: i made this. i may slow some, and always seem to in february for some reason, but i can’t imagine i won’t keep at it, for the tangibles and for the peace it offers my brain; nothing sorts out my confusion regarding just about anything like knitting.
I knit because it helps me destress. It also allows me to make things for loved ones that are handmade and relatively quick to make while I weave in positive thoughts for the one I am knitting for. I am a knitter for life even though I may take breaks from it from time to time (they are short-lived). I recently have learned the value of knitting for myself-which I think is a very important lesson to have learned this time around.
I knit because I love being able to carry my beautiful projects with me beyond the studio. . I love the textures and getting to feel the colors in a way I can’t do with paint. I love the way the sofa looks when I’ve been on a knitting binge and it is piled high with new fabrics. I love the motions made when knitting and the ability to make something flat or three dimensional. I am in it for life, even when I take breaks and think I am done, something lures me back in and I am in love with it all over again.
1. I knit because I have a very hard time just doing one thing at a time. I’m very good at doing absolutely nothing but I’m not too good at just doing one thing. I really do want to watch tv and go for road trips but without something to do you’d be better off stuffing my ears with spagetti than trying to tell me to pay attention. Knitting helps me pay attention….which is ironic since my attention is diverted. I’m also a very visual person…….but I can’t draw. Period. I love clothes, and I love being unique…and it is hard to find unique clothing in rural ohio let me tell yah 😉
2. I am probably a knitter for the long haul because I’ve already been knitting 15 yrs. My mom taught me when I was 11 and the only time I really put it down was ages 16-18 when I went through a sewing phase. When I was 19 a buddy said let’s go to walmart and I will teach you guys to knit. That night I’d had a dream I was knitting a scarf so it was kismet! We went and bought some boye needles and lion brand homespun and that was it! I’ve been knitting again ever since. I’ve only upgraded to “nice” yarn in the past 3 or so years (couldn’t afford anything better than patons before then….coincidently I still love patons merino!) but I’m just so gung ho about it. When people ask what I do I say “knit”…and then give them the sap about being a homemaker 😛 I prefer to say knit 🙂
I started knitting because I needed something to do with my hands after I quit smoking. I kept knitting because it’s been a way to allow myself to relax and focus on something, instead of constantly swirling in every direction. It keeps me centered. Of course, I thought I’d recoup some money when I quit smoking, but sock yarn isn’t free either… Thanks goodness it isn’t carcinogenic, though.
I’m sure others have said this, but I knit so I don’t kill people.
And yes, I will be a knitter for life. Otherwise, my husband and kills might just kill me for taking up so much space in the house with yarn! 🙂
I knit because it’s something I love to do. It gives me a little escape each day, some me time. It also really helps to calm my nerves when I’m stressed out. I find it really cool to know I can create my own fabric.
I’ve been knitting for about 20 years and I’m definitely in it for the long haul. 🙂
I love to knit because it is relaxing and gives me something to do when I need to slow down.
I taught myself to knit about four years ago and my favorite thing to knit is baby blankets. I also knit scarfs and hats.
I would like to knit socks and that is this years goal.
I am just learning to knit, but I can already tell I will be knitting for life! I love it and can’t learn fast enough. It is very relaxing and exciting to see your project evolve a little bit at a time. I am so happy to be able to call myself a “knitter!”
I knit to keep from smoking, but really I knit for the joy of creating gifts that my family and friends will use, and love. My family called this activity “loving that shows”. Anything one does to warm the heart of a loved one, that they can look at and use. More practical than the words, but just as heartwarming.
I am a lifer…now. I cannot remember my life before knitting. I knit because I have a need to create…I am an Art teacher. And the yarn…there are so many awesome colorways and types and I will never run out of projects. Plus TV is just a little boring without my needles! Thanks!
I knit because it is relaxing
I knit because it makes beautiful things
I knit because it allows me time to think…particularly if I am knitting a gift, then I think about the recipient
I knit because I love it.
And yes, I will always be a knitter. It brings me too much joy to ever let go of.
I knit because it helps me relax and forget about the rest of my day. If it’s something simple I tend to drift off and think about so many different things, it’s very meditative. Simple is also good for me because it’s familiar and routine in a sometimes crazy world.
I’ve been knitting for the better part of my (admittedly short) life already, I expect I’ll be knitting for many more years to come.
Oh, and I’m a knitter for life. The family just keeps on growing, what a happy thing!
I knit for the beautiful colours of the wool, for the feel of (from soft and cloudy to scratchy and woolly). I knit for the lovely functional garments I can make, and for the joy of doing something from start to finish and the sense of achievement I get from that. I knit because I enjoy a challenge and having something to do with my hands. I knit for the sheer thrill of creation.
Oh, and I knit so I don’t kill people.
I will be a knitter for life. I have always dabbled in it, and even if my current obsession with it dies down, I will still always have something on the needles. I don’t see this obsession leaving anytime soon though!
I started knitting when I was five. My Nan taught me and I was hooked from that moment onwards. I can never recall a time that I haven’t had a knitting project on the needles or on the radar to start. Now, almost 32 years later, I’m still knitting.
I knit because quite frankly I have to, but I don’t want it to sound like I don’t have a choice. I love to knit. It’s just what I do. It’s hard to imagine a day without either my knitting, thinking about knitting or blogging about knitting, or planning a next knitting project. Some of the first sentences out of my kids mouth were “When you finish that row can you get me (e.g. some milk, take me to school, read me a book, kiss my ouchie). If I haven’t knit for a day or so due to life getting way to much in the way (which rarely happens, there’s always an opportunity to knit – thank heavens for long red lights at traffic stops and bank lines at the atm) my husband will gently suggest that I go and sit down and knit, as I’m getting a little testy.
When I knit I feel connected to my Nan (grandmother) who has passed away. She meant the world to me and I feel close to her; feel as though I’m continuing in her footsteps, okay knit and purl stitches maybe. It is comforting to know that I am doing the same simple steps that she did, that I am knitting love into each stitch for my children as she did for me. The cycle continues.
Knitting relaxes me, excites me, helps me learn by keeping my hands busy so that my mind can engage. Let’s me create things for the four beautiful beings that I was able to create and give birth to.
Knitting connects me to women all over the world. I feel part of something bigger.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to think about this and pause and be grateful for the gift that knitting has given me.
Our knitting group’s motto: I knit so I don’t kill people. (Especially the ones that I love!). Credit goes to my friend Kristen who came up with the motto.
I’m a knitter for life. I love yarn and I’m quite addicted.
I knit…..so I don’t kill people! Just like my ravatar says! ;0)
Really, i began knitting because my grandmother knit and I always wanted to learn. One day I finally decided it was time so I began teaching myself. Now that I am designing socks, I am more obsessed than ever. Knitting relaxes me and excites me at the same time. The simple answer is that it just plain makes me happy (and it is the only hobby I have had that I can do on the couch while watching my favorite shows….it always had to be one or the other and now it can be both!)
I knit for the process. I knit for the product. I knit because it gives me an excuse to sit on my butt and watch tv and still feel like I’m being productive.
But mostly? I knit because it gives my hands something to do and my mind somewhere to be when the nervous energy of a full-blown anxiety-ridden panic attack ensues. All those jitters used to just race back and forth in my body, and add to the ‘crazies’ inside, but with some knitting needles and pretty fiber moving in my hands, and the zen motion, some of that energy is redirected for good. Its like for a moment I’m an anti-panic superhero! (Or something)
And that’s why I knit.
I started knitting 25 years ago when we lived in England because, hey, everybody there knits, right? Turns out not to be completely true. I’m really sorry that I stopped then, because I had an expert knitter living right next door! Think of what I could have learned…. Some twenty years later, I started again in an effort to keep my hands busy (ok, to keep my hands out of the cookies), but I’ve found so much more! I love new challenges, new techniques, patterns, and yarns, so I think I’m a knitter for life. Besides, I now have a stash and believe I may have reached s.a.b.l.e.
I knit because I love taking a ball of sting and turning it into something beautiful and useful.
I knit because I love the feel or yarn in my hands, I like making things that I love and love to wear and I love knowing that I can make something beautiful. I have been knitting since I was a little girl. My mom taught me and I feel like knitting connects me to her, to my grandmother who knit to cloth her family when she was too poor to buy new clothes, to my great-grandmother and too all the women who came before who all knit. I know that I will ever stop!
I knit because I enjoy it – it’s relaxing and I enjoy being able to create things for other. Most of my knitting, well probably 99% is for other – charity actually. I think I’m a knitter for life, even though I may run through dry spells where I don’t knit (usually because I’m busy with school work), I always enjoy it that much more when I am able to pick it up again.
I knit to live, and live to knit.
I’ve always needed a creative outlet and have tried just about every craft known to man. About 13 years ago I picked up a pair of needles, a “learn to knit” booklet, and a cart full of yarn for a cross country RV trip. My first project was a fisherman’s afghan. That didn’t stop me from loving it, so I figure nothing will.
I originally started knitting l little over two years ago after my, then 8 year old, learned to knit in her 2nd grade class. I was so embarrassed that my 8yo could knit a scarf when her mom could not even cast on. I stopped by a knit store on our way home from school and asked if they had classes. The store owner assured me there wasn’t a student she hadn’t been able to teach how to knit. The first 90 minute class lasted 3 hours and within 3 days I had completed my first scarf. I haven’t been able to stop since. I quickly found that the clicking of the needles, the alternating between K and P, the occasional PSSO and Sl1, KTOG, M1 and all other various forms of increasing and decreasing, reigned in my ADHD. I suddenly was able to focus during lectures, long meetings, school presentations, waiting to pick up the girls and more….
During stretches that I do not get to knit I become irritable, restless and difficult to focus. A mere thirty minutes with the needle – is better than any drug, therapy or venting session.
Knit on!
I knit so I don’t mind waiting in the doctor’s office. I don’t mind waiting anywhere as long as I have my knitting. And, I always have it. I have been knitting for about 70 years and don’t intend to stop any time soon. Besides, I have to make a decent dent in my stash!
1) Why do you knit?
I knit because my Mom knits 🙂
I like knitting and creating things with my hand that I can wear and use.
2) Do you think you’re a knitter-for-life or do you think that this is what you do “now” and you’ll move on to the next thing eventually?
I really do believe I will continue to knit long term.
I came back to knitting after a 20 years hiatus to pass the time when I had to take a family member for medical appointments. I found that it really helped me to relax in a difficult place. I turned to knitting for other life stresses and now I am completely obsessed. I will always knit. I love colour and I love the feel of certain fibers passing over my fingers. I watched my mother knit her whole life. She knit because she had to, but kept knitting when there was no more need for mittens and warm wool socks because she loved it. I didn;t understand this years ago, but now I love that we have this in common.
I am a knitter for life. I do not remember not knowing how to knit. I was taught to knit by my Mother. I think she would be very pleased that I still knit for the joy it brings into my life. I knit for so many reasons. I enjoy the creative process, mastering new techiques, and working with the many different yarns we have available today. I find knitting to be very expressive through color, texture, and pattern. I love to make gifts for loved ones and those I don’t know…and of course, I like to knit for myself.
Knitting brightens every day.
I knit for my health. Improved blood pressure and blood sugars are a result of the relaxing hobby of creating a beautiful project. I get pure joy as I watch the project grow with each row as the wonderful colors slide through my fingers and around the needles. I love answering the questions of young women who are fascinated by the craft.
I will be a knitter for life since there seems to be no end to new yarns, textures and colors. I gather new patterns that intrigue me and have at least another 25 years of projects planned.
The first time I knit, I did it for my boyfriend (now fiance)’s bday. I didn’t pick up the sticks again until 3 years later (2008). Now I knit because it’s relaxing. I knit because it’s nice being able to CREATE something, to MAKE something useful with my own two hands. I knit because I love the adventure of trying out new techniques, new patterns, new yarn.
I knit because I fell in love with it.
I wish I can be a lifelong knitter, but I realize that I’m still young and life might hold other attractions for me. However, the stash I’ve accumulated should be a deciding factor that will motivate me to keep knitting, because otherwise I would’ve spent a LOT of money for a temporary fling.
You can tell I’m a realist. 🙂
I knit because I like to control all aspects of the process. Honestly, I started to knit because I wanted to be able to spin and knit my own clothes. Now, I knit because there are just so many different and wonderful patterns out there that I don’t think I’ll ever run out of things I want to knit. I’ll be cross stitching for a very long time (a goal of mine is to complete all of the Stoneybrook Art of Disney kits) and I sew too, but I don’t think I could imagine myself to be a non-knitter. I keep a sock in my purse for waiting in lines and for walking around, I love lace and while my stash is small compared to some, it would last for awhile if I needed it to! Knitting has been such a fundamental part of my life for the past few years and I don’t think I’ll ever willingly give it up. There’s just too many new techniques, gorgeous patterns, and things to make. My husband and I were just talking about how fast store-bought socks wear through, and how the knit ones worn more often are still great. A hobby that is also productive and useful? Of course I’ll be knitting forever!
I knit because it always gives me something to do. I knit because some yarns are the most beautiful yarns I have ever seen. I knit because pattern designers are amazing and if I can follow their patterns and make what they design I must be near amazing. I’m a knitter for life….I’ve already done crochet, tatting, needle lace, embroidery, even basketweaving….but knitting is perfect.
1) I knit because I never learned how to stop.
2) Uh see 1. I think 25 years of knitting counts as knitter-for-life. One of my deep fears is that something will happen to keep me from knitting when I get older.
I started knitting because I wanted a portable hobby. I can knit anywhere as long as I have it with me. I’ve been knitting for about six years and will be knitter for life. I might take a break, but I always come back to it and I never stop looking and drooling over yarn.
I knit because I’m cold… seriously, that’s sort of why I taught myself to knit to begin with. I think I just like making (and destroying) things with my hands, and it’s also nice to be able to be lazy (ie, watching TV) and productive at the same time. And now it’s brought me lots of new friends! I was on a knitting hiatus for a year or two after I taught myself, but since I’ve picked it up again, I haven’t stopped so I guess I’m a knitter for life.
I knit for relaxation, personal gratification and the creativity. I love the feel of fine fibers.
I am a knitter for life. I can’t imagine any reason, other than the loss of the use of my hands, that I will ever quit. I enjoy it that much!
I knit because it gives me a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. I knit because hubby loves my socks better than any other—he calls them a “walking shiatsu massage”! I knit because I love to watch tv but hate having nothing to do with my hands.
Is this a forever thing? I’ve learned to never predict this type of change. I always swore I’d never be a knitter and now I’m designing my first lace pattern. It *has* survived all the changes life has thrown at me since I first picked up the needles again. My toenails look really good now, too (now that my hands are too busy to pick at my toenails!). Despite the dreams and goals I’ve had to give up because of fibromyalgia, knitting has continued to be a source of peace and enjoyment, challenge and satisfaction. Let’s hope it’s a forever thing!
Anne.
I knit because I have to. It’s my creative outlet. Not just creating a beautiful handknit, though that’s important, or matching yarn to project to person; but now designing with yarn as my medium.
I am definitely a knitter for life. I got serious about knitting not long after I reached adulthood, in college. Its place in my life has only grown year by year (along with my stash), and now I can’t imagine life without knitting.
I knit because I’m obsessed now. I love finding new challenges in knitting and there are so many I haven’t tried yet. I love that it gives me something to do with my hands while I’m waiting or stressed out (and also when I’m happy and relaxed.) I think I’ll be a knitter for life. I will have to be to finish everything in my queue.
I knit for the sense of accomplishment… for the feeling that each day I have done something worthwhile. To create something beautiful or useful from gorgeous yarn and the challenge of following a difficult pattern or the simplicity of the repetitive motions on a simple project is really relaxing and rewarding. Knowing that the items I’ve made with love and endless hours can be given to someone or just enjoyed here around the house is gratifying. Surrounding myself with the colours of the yarn and all of the books, curled up with some tea and a warm blanket I’ve made, wearing a sweater in the winter to walk my dog and colourful socks, wrapped in my Noro scarf and hat with handmade mittens – it’s just the most amazing feeling. And I knit to keep my sanity while I’m alone every night with hubby snoring on the couch. Lotsa reasons! I will never ever ever stop knitting. It is now an obsession and a way of life for me and I am very grateful to you Sheri, and for Ravelry and all the knitting community for the connection and feeling of belonging that I’ve found through knitting.