Knitting is literally the best hobby. Don’t come at me. 😈 There are countless articles on the benefits of learning to knit. And for good reason too! Knitting has become a mainstream hobby, and the benefits of learning to knit has been studied and written about so much over the years. Today, I’m going to dive into some of my personal reasons for learning to knit. Although, I was a little young to really grasp the reason to learn to knit besides my great-grandmother needed to occupy my time. But, these are for sure the reasons I’m still knitting today! If you’ve been thinking of picking up a hobby, maybe these benefits will help steer you into becoming my new knitting bestie.
Knit Away The Boredom
There is literally anything better than doom-scrolling on your phone. Personally, my daily usage got pretty high over the last two years. But, with things starting to finally get back to normal, I’ve had a lot more motivation to get the heck out of my leggings and hoodies and get into my knitwear and… nicer leggings.
Learning to knit is such a great skill. Especially when you like making simple things, it is such a productive way to replace phone time! Do I still get caught up in the scroll? For sure. When I’m procrastinating work or at night when hubby comes home and we’re watching TV together, it’s the perfect way to keep my hands busy. And at least one of us off of our phones. (Sorry, babe!)
If you’re not a simple knits kind of person, learning to knit a more advanced technique is a great way to keep your mind active and engaged with what you’re creating! I think instinctually, brains love a challenge. So being able to learn new knitting techniques like brioche, lace work, knitting in the round, colorwork, or making your own patterns are great ways to challenge yourself! Just make sure to use baby steps to keep the boredom at bay!
Exercise Your Creative Muscle with Knitting
Knitting is such a great way to get creative. Even if you’re like me and a to-the-T rule follower, the ability to put together your own color palettes is such a rewarding process.
Some other ways I feel creative in my knitting includes building out my handknit wardrobe. I didn’t always look at my closet in this way, but I’m learning to be more intentional with the pieces I add and make. It’s so important to me that my creativity shines through with knitting patterns you wouldn’t find in a store. The unique pieces are usually how people can tell if my outfit was made or purchased. Anyways, curating your own personal closet, primarily with handmade pieces, can be so much fun. A well curated wardrobe is a great way to be creative in a way you normally don’t think of!
You may also find a burst of creativity in finding other fiber-related passions! Knitting is still my main craft, but has been a doorway to so many other related paths! Learning to knit can open the door to spinning your own yarn, dyeing yarn, designing knitting patterns, or even other homely-type crafts like cross stitch, embroidery, or sewing! (Totally my wheelhouse here, there are definitely other things you can dive into too!)
Build Self-Esteem
There is nothing better than having that feeling of accomplishment after a day of hard work! It is so satisfying to watch your knitting grow, to make something tangible with only your hands, that is made specifically for you and your body. If we are anything alike, we both know how difficult it can be to follow through with goals and projects. Knitting has been that one constant in my life where if I really want something, I make it, and I make it in a decent timeline. Let’s not discuss my languishing WIPs, but if you’re going to make me mention it I like to think of those pieces as an “if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hell no” sort of situation.
It is so fulfilling to hear compliments about your knitting but also can be a great way to make connections. Check around your local yarn shops, you may find a knitting group, or a need to start one of your own! Ravelry is a great place filled with forums of like-minded folks, and my most recent fave has been making friends with other makers on Instagram! Obviously- outside of making friends with y’all here.😉 Building a community of friends that are also makers can be a self-esteem booster in and of itself! How wild all these avenues we can go down just by learning to knit.
Knitting as Meditation
Depending on the level of concentration needed for your knitting projects, it can be such a great form of meditation! Learning to knit I think activates a certain part of your brain, and especially if you can turn off any outside stimulation while you work, that can turn knitting into a beautiful meditation practice. Of course, do what works best for you, and if you need to infuse some actual meditation practices into your routine, do not feel like learning to knit needs to be the replacement for it!
Also, not all meditation practices look the same! Some days, all I need is to turn on an audiobook of some sort and crank out a few rows with my coffee in the morning. Other times, I can feel my brain needs a little more concentration type of activity. Here are a few types of knitting projects I’ll focus on when I need to or have the capacity to do so:
- Lace knit shawls
- Sweater construction (not just plain knitting)
- Colorwork knitting
- Knitting cables
- Brioche knitting
All of these knitting techniques require a little brain power. So whenever you need a good distraction set yourself up with your knitting and a good lofi or meditation playlist, and let your hands get to work!
Knitting is Magic
What is more magical than being able to use two (mildly) pointy sticks and some string turn them into a lifetime heirloom? Other things that feel magical about knitting:
- Watching your knits grow
- Learning new techniques that seemed impossible
- Finding out the process from sheep to finished object
- Just the way learning to knit can fill your cup. ✨
The energy and feelings you put into a piece stay with it. This is true for literally everything. The energy it takes to create and deliver something to you is impacted by every soul who touches it. Imagine ordering a piece of furniture from a big box store. Do you think that every single person who’s helped to create that product and get it into your home has enjoyed it? The answer is no. And the answer will be no for literally ANYTHING. But the number of bad energies can be controlled a bit more when you make something.
The energy and feelings you put into a piece stay with it.
katyyydid
I bring up that furniture bit as an analogy mostly because I’m an interior designer by day, but I’ve also invested a lot of time and energy with fast fashion items. Do I still love all or even most of those pieces I spent money on? Absolutely not, a lot of it is cheaply made, uncomfortable, and not my style anymore because I made impulse purchases for the low price, and who knows the energetics that went into that product being in my home? For knitting, I’m usually shopping from a small business who did a happy dance when I placed the order or walked out of the shop. Then honestly who knows what the hell happens to the package between leaving their shop and heading to my mailbox? But I do know the amount of time I spend with that yarn greatly outweighs any negativity that I probably infused into that product. There aren’t many pieces that I still have in my possession that I don’t look at with love and gratitude. Except for the pieces I made when I was a teenager. 😬
I hope I’ve made learning to knit sound a little more enticing to you than it did a few moments ago. What questions do you have about getting started? I’d love to help you take the next steps on your making journey, whether that is in one of my typical crafts or not. Let me know in the comments what content I can create to help you along your making journey!
