I have an idea for this blank wall in our shop. I had this idea for our St. Louis shop, but there was never a really good wall to use. Wall space is valuable in a shop! However, this one needs to stay shelf-free because otherwise the aisle gets too narrow. We could hang a quilt there, but I have a better idea. I’d like to do an inspirational collage with photos and text. That’s where you come in!
As I was going through Pinterest today during lunch, I realized that there are a lot of old pictures of knitters out there. I don’t mean elderly knitters. I mean the photos were taken a long time ago. Where are the current photos of people knitting and having fun? Young, old, male, female, groups and singles? To look at the photos, you’d think this was an art that dyed out more than 50 years ago. See what I mean?
So what I’d like to do with this wall is to feature pictures of knitters (knitting alone or in knitting groups), and include quotes from people about why they knit. Would you like to be on our wall, inspiring others? I’d love for you to send us photos of you and/or your friends knitting. (send them to: jberger@theloopyewe.com) Include a note that tells us where you are from, if you’d like us to add that to the photo. We’d like to show that knitting is fun for everyone, and still alive and well in the world! I’d also love to know why you knit. Why is it important to you? What does it do for you? Is it something you’ll do forever, or until a new hobby comes up? Do you come from a long line of knitters, or are you the first in your family? Leave a comment below and let us know. We’ll print out some of your comments to include with the photos on the wall.
As a thank you for your help with this project, we’ll be drawing some winners from the participants! We’ll draw a name from the comments below (answering the question, “Why do you knit?”) for a $25 Loopy Ewe Gift Certificate. If you email us a photo, we’ll enter you into an additional contest, where you could win a special package from us. If you send us a photo of your whole knitting group and you win, we’ll mail you a box with a gift for everyone in the photo!
Of course I’ll share a photo of the wall when we’re done. I hope your picture or comment will be up there!
Sheri whomighthavetoaddtheJackBauerphototothewallaswell
I knit because it gives me a sense of belonging. I have met so many wonderful people through this hobby.
Knitting is connecting to whom I left behind when I crossed the Atlantic and did not go back. It is the cherishing of those memories, of an ongoing dialogue which did not cease although the ones who taught me are no longer part of this world. But when I sit with the yarn, I feel their loving presence, as if we could share, as we did, the same table and laughters.
I guess knitting is the re-creation of this world, far away, without a place or time, and time flies with the needles in my hands.
Knitting is the time of oblivion, when all the sorrows come to be silenced, and life… knits on.
I knit because:
– it makes me feel connected to my past – my grandmother and great-grandmother were very accomplished knitters.
– it is an enjoyable, creative process, at the end of which I have a tangible, beautiful (hopefully!) result.
– it is meditative and relaxing. I’m a grad student, work full time, volunteer, and am a competing equestrian. All of these activities are rewarding and enjoyable, but they can also be stressful. Knitting gives me a soothing, repetitive action that helps quiet down all the activity in my mind when I feel overwhelmed.
– I’ve also found that my family loves and appreciates hand-knitted gifts!
Knitting is my stress relief; it’s a form of meditation. I am a Ph.D. student in a science field and my days are hectic, stressful, and mentally exhausting. Knitting provides me with a time when I can turn my brain off and get lost in the repetitiveness of the motion of the needles and the beauty of the yarn. I am a “first generation” knitter but have since started a knitting group in my town for all of the other “stressed-out” grad student/grad student spouses in my community. We meet every Sunday night and just chill before the week starts with our yarn, our needles, our wine, and great company.
I knit because it’s productive fidgeting and can be done while reading, waiting in line, listening to a lecture, or watching a movie. Knitting during lectures corrals the part of my mind that would like to wander off and helps me pay attention. As an engineer, I love making things that are exactly right, and knitting allows me to do that. Handmade gifts are often appreciated, and a crocheted bookmark or worsted-weight socks can say “thank-you!” like nothing else!
I knit because I can’t sit still. Just sitting there and watching TV is impossible!
And I enjoy being able to say that I made what I’m wearing.
I knit every day because it is a part of who I am, now. I’m the first knitter in my family and I love making beautiful and interesting things that I give to those I care for. Being a person who is often cold, I like warming up friends and family members.
And I knit because I live in the town that houses the very best yarn shop in the world – the Loopy Ewe, of course!
I knit because I feel like I am accomplishing something while keeping myself and hands busy. It’s multi-tasking! Riding in the car, watching a movie, listening to a book, a waiting room, my children’s sports, etc…. I also value my the friendships I’ve made with knitting, both near and far.
I knit so I don’t kill people :o) Seriously though (I’ve seen that on bumper stickers and buttons) – it is a GREAT stress reliever. Its creative and perfect for on the go.
I am, therefore I knit! I taught myself to knit and have taught several others now, two of which are my daughters (6 and 15). That top picture reminds me of a knitter i taught who warned her husband away when she was recounting stitches (again) with the words “you better go away before you get a couple pointy sticks in the eye!”
Johnston4kids on rav
I believe the knitting gene is strong in me. I need to knit to have peace: both spiritually and physically.
And I like to “take a piece of string and make it into something I can wear.”
I knit love … from my heart, through my hands, to others ….
I knit because it adds beauty, color and peace to every day.
I knit because I love it. It keeps me calm, gives me something to do with my hands (and my brain), and I get a beautiful hand made item when I’m done.
I love knitting! It grounds me and keeps me sane. There is nothing more soothing than coming home after a hectic day at work and make myself a cuppa tea, sit in front of my favourite soap, and knit away. And, the best part is that myself and all my family members get wonderful knitted wear from my zen activity.
I knit because I find it very relaxing while producing something beautiful. My mom taught me to knit and when she passed away I found a sweater she was knitting for my 5 yr old son. It was the first real project I had completed. So while I love to knit for myself, I also knit to keep my memories of my mom and her knitting alive.
I knit because the meditative, repetitive motion calms me in a very hectic world and environment. I had the luxury of living close to my work on my last job – now I don’t have as much time in the evening due to a longer commute. Due to my busy job, I am not able to take a lunch hour so am down to only a couple of hours of knitting in the evening. Knitting has captured my heart, and there is nothing I’d rather do. I am about 3 years away from retirement where I can knit myself silly. I can hardly wait – other than searching Ravelry for my next knitting project , I expect my biggest decisions will be rather if I want to knit while in jammies, sweats or shorts. 🙂
I knit for sanity, patience, and to express love. My grandmother taught me to knit when I was a child, but it didn’t really “take” until I had my own sons and thought, “Even I could knit and finish some small baby sweaters!” I’ve been knitting ever since and can’t imagine ever stopping. It’s gotten me through some sad and trying times as well as some very happy ones. It enables me to be creative and use my time effectively, while being productive and meditative, all at the same time. It isn’t just a hobby; it’s really part of who I am!
Why do I knit? Let me count the ways! I am a woman engineer in what is still a man’s profession (although we’re making progress). So here’s what I’d put as my quote:
How does one put this into words? I knit because I can’t sit still and it helps me focus. I knit because of all the delicious fibers and colors these marvelous dyers have combined. You can’t get color and fiber of that quality at your everyday clothing store. I knit because I want everyone to knit with me. I will teach anyone who will sit with me and try. I knit to show love to people I care for. I knit because it’s a conversation starter for someone under 50 today to be knitting instead of on their phone or computer. I knit because of the community I have discovered of friends around the world (I’m lookin’ at you Oz!) and the wisdom they have freely shared.
Why do I knit? It’s a meditative connection to artists past and present.
I started knitting because I am tall and my arms are long. Finding sweaters was impossible when I was young and so I purchased men’s sizes for the length of the sleeve to stay warm. The sweaters were not fashionable for a young woman. When I was in high school my grandmother gave me enough yarn and a pattern to knit a sweater out of a green mohair blend. Even though I made the sweater in 1970 I still wear that sweater, I love it and am thankful my grandmother started me off on a real project so I could see the rewards of knitting. I have an afghan that she made about the same time.
Now I knit because I like all the special socks that I can make and sweaters with arms that fit me all the way to my wrist. I knit to share hand knit items made with love and to be creative with all the wonderful yarns that are on the market. The act of knitting is thoughtful, quiet, repetitive and sometimes quite challenging. The challenge to make a beautiful article of clothing that is wearable is what brings me back again and again to knitting.
I knit because the stitches connect me to other knitters, times, and places. My great great grandmother spun yarn for her knitting. Of course I never knew her but I in some way I know her through my knitting. Like many others, knitting is essential as breathing, inhale – knit, exhale-purl, and suddenly the world isn’t so frightening.
I love the old photos.
I knit because I love to wear hand made socks. And because yarn is pretty and soft. And because there are so many different kinds of needles to try.
I knit to cope with my ADHD and mental health issues. It keeps my hands busy so I don’t fidget. I get to feel textures in my hands so I learn that not everything is bad to touch. I see a riot of colors and learn that it’s ok if it not just so.
I knit to stay sane. Literally.
I learned to knit because I felt that a crocheted sweater wouldn’t look good on a boy.
I will knit forever because I enjoy finding a pattern and the yarn for that pattern OR yarn and the pattern for that yarn. I enjoy the process of knitting and all other stitches except maybe bobbles. I enjoy finishing something. People were surprised to hear I knit because they don’t see how I can sit still that long. Realize this, when you are knitting, you aren’t sitting still. I enjoy knitting so much that I can’t imagine not being able to knit.
I learned to knit as a child then let it go for several years. I started knitting again in 2005 when my little Pomeranian, Chuy, lost his coat of fur and he needed sweaters. I heard about TLE on Lime & Violet’s podcast right after you started it, Sheri. I live in a rather remote part of Colorado, so early on my knitting became entangled with TLE. If not for all the beautiful yarns I’ve gotten over the years from Loopy, I’d have not been such a passionate knitter. I don’t foresee ever not knitting as I now have LOTS of stash from TLE!
What a fantastic idea. I knit for community. I knit for myself and my family, but it’s the community I truly love. The camaraderie, the sharing, both joy and pain, brings us together and helps us through life’s journey.
Knitting is time to me. I began knitting fervently because I wanted something real to show for my time… something to leave behind when my time was up. But, knitting has evolved into more than that. Now, I can look at a pair of socks, shawl, or sweater I’ve knit and remember where I was, what was happening in life, and sometimes what I was feeling when I made the piece. It’s akin to smelling a scent that brings back a flood of memories. Sometimes it is a very potent sensation, like an unintentional time capsule, and I absolutely love it when that happens.
I love to knit because it is very relaxing and satisfying especially when you give a hand made gift.
I learned to knit, crochet, sew and embroider when I was young. One of my grandmothers knit beautiful sweaters and afghans and once knit me a beautifully embellished snake (how I wish I still had that)! My other grandmother made quilts, embroidered pillowcases and crocheted intricate edgings for the pillowcases. My mom does a bit of everything, but spends most of her creative time quilting now.
I dabble a bit with the other crafts, but I am a knitter. Knitting is part of what makes me who I am. I need to keep my hands busy, I need to keep my mind busy, I need to be creative, I need to see a project taking shape in my hands. I simply need to knit. I’m blessed with family and friends who appreciate my love of knitting.
It’s a squishy challenge.
I knit for a lot of reasons. I think a big one is that I can’t sing, dance, or draw, but knitting allows me to create art.
When I was in 6th grade I was given a Barbie knitting kit to make a turquoise coat. It came in a cardboard tube like tinkertoys. I pretty much taught myself with help from my teacher, Mrs. Rogers. She sometimes let me stay in during recess and helped me. Fast forward to my sons becoming wrestlers in high school. I couldn’t quilt during meets…but I could knit. Apparently the skill never leaves you. I took a class in sock knitting and was hooked. Now I still quilt but it takes a backseat to socks.
I knit because I am good at knitting. It is easy and rewarding. I think because I was entirely self-taught many years ago, long before knitting groups and Ravelry, I never had anyone explain to me that a pattern would be “too difficult for my skill level” so I just kept knitting whatever appealed to me. Because I was free of judgment I was always successful and this bolstered my confidence. In my crazy world it is the one thing that I know I do very well.
I knit because I like being creative without the stress of creating out of nothing. I love that there is a pattern to follow and the end project will be a treasure to someone I love.
Why do I knit — Hummmm — safe to say I knit for many reasons but mostly because IT’S FUN!!!! Every time a Box of Fun arrives from Loopy it’s like getting a box of new toys!!! Oh — the possibilities!
Creating quells my rage and the bright side of knitting is that you always have a sharp pointy object if you feel the need to give into the rage.
I am the only knitter in the last 5 generations of my family. Maybe longer. They all crochet or quilt. I taught myself in the 9th grade, will be 46 soon… I have been gifting ever since. My boys sat me down and we figure I have made myself 5 or 6 items in all these years for me. They thinks that’s AWFUL, I think that’s pretty AWESOME!! I love making things for people.
I knit because it is a way for me to unwind and shut my mind off. During graduate school I had a hard time shutting my mind down from a long day in the lab. Knitting was a way to slow down my thoughts and sleep well. Plus, I love hand knitted socks!
I knit because I can’t (k)not.
I knit because I don’t have a sewing room. That’s not the only reason, but when you have to clear the dining table, drag out all the sewing and then put it all away again because people want food more than once a day? The ability to pick up my knitting and be working in a few seconds has a certain charm. I do like doing both, but the convenience factor has put my sewing machine on the back burner.
Knitting is cheaper than therapy!!
I learned how to knit as a young child and came from a long line of knitters. I never really did anything spectacular. I came back to it almost 7 years ago when we had a house fire and lost everything we owned. I started knitting dish clothes as a way to keep my hands busy while we were moving from the scary hotel that the Red Cross put us up in (which had a SWAT raid the first morning we were there), to the longer term hotel, to a rental while our house was re built.
I knit because I enjoy it and it helps keep me sane. I enjoy the interest it generates, particularly from children (especially my own)
I enjoy the process of knitting, just seeing something form before my eyes from my hands. I hope to knit as long as I live!
I knit because it has challenges for me to conquer. I knit because I want to make beautiful items for those I love. I knit because homemade = LOVE. I knit to feel connected to others. 🙂
I started knitting when I was in grade 4 or 5. Barbie clothes…skirts and tops. 🙂 I knit sometimes as ‘process’ just to be productive with my hands and sometimes for ‘product’ as I want certain pretty knits. It keeps my brain engaged and my hands busy.
Good luck on your wall. It will be amazing I am certain.
I knit for relaxation. I have a stressful job and need a little “adjustment” time every day. That time gets filled up with knitting or quilting – my favorite hobbies. Also knit when WH and I watch footballl or baseball games. Nancy
I started knitting after I was diagnosed with cancer and wanted something to occupy my mind. I keep doing it because there’s always a new technique to learn and I am able to customize whatever I’m making to suit me perfectly.
I knit because I love the feel of fiber in my hands, the joy of seeing something emerge from the action of the needles, the delight in watching stitch patterns dance across the fiber, the satisfaction of holding something lovely, fun, original,that I made, unlike any similar item from a store or from someone else’s needles. Creativity, passion, relaxation, anticipation–knitting encompasses them all.