Monday, September 8, 2008

Reasons to knit and a little giveaway


Knitting is a great hobby. Honestly it is, and it’s not just me saying so. If you look carefully on the net there’s research that proves knitting is good for you!
Here are my top ten list of reasons to knit

1. It’s an art form.
You only have to glimpse the myriad designs to see how creative a process it is, lacy, frilly, cables, not to mention those who make cupcakes, bunnies, flowers, seaweed and other shapes. A completed piece of knitted has the right to be seen as a piece of art. There’s freedom of expression and a chance to let your creative juice go a little wild. Even if you stick to the pattern you’re still creating something that is unique to you. Even if you don't think of yourself as a "creative type," you can still express yourself by knitting. Design your own patterns. Choose your own colors. Make your own shapes. You're in control of your knitting.

2. It’s a stress reliever.
This one I think depends on the type of knitter you are. For me it forces me to sit in one place and that’s got to be good, for the rest of the household as well as me. I can allow my mind to wander and think about the situations I face and in that way it does help to de stress me. It also helps me to focus. I find it difficult to concentrate unless I have something to do with my hands. Once you figure out how to knit basic stitches and patterns, you can relax and really enjoy knitting. Many knitters use this craft to calm down and relax, which is great for your overall health.



3. It creates a sense of achievement
The knitter gets to feel a great sense of pride and accomplishment in completing an item. Learning a new skill or craft makes most people feel good about themselves. This is particularly true when your friends and family admire your knitting projects!

4. Knitting is portable
Unlike other hobbies like weaving or cooking, knitting can easily be thrown into a bag and pulled out anytime it is required. As such, the knitter can bring the craft along and do it during bus or train journeys, air flights or even in traffic jams. In this way, hours of waiting and travelling are not wasted away as they are used to accomplish something useful. I take my knitting to work and will often knit my way through meetings and presentations.

5. There’s lots of choice.
There are plenty of projects and designs to choose from to suit all levels of knitting expertise, time and budget. Besides, these pieces can be created to beautify homes or serve as special gifts for loved ones. Knitwear garments are beautiful and attractive, and many people like them. Presenting them as gifts is always well loved and appreciated. You can always find something just right for the mood your in.

6. It increases your intelligence.
Knitting develops fine-motor skills, hand-eye coordination, math skills, and what Multiple Intelligences educational researcher Dr. Howard Gardner calls “Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence.” Since both hands hold needles and each hand has its own job, both sides of the brain are engaged and performing an internal rhythmic patterning that underlies the development of language skills, particularly reading, and also math.
In addition, knitting develops key habits that lead to success in academics and in careers: persistence, concentration, and collaboration.

7. It can increase your patience
Well I’m still waiting for that one to happen, but knitting does take time, it doesn’t like to be hurried too much. When you decide to knit something you are choosing to spend time doing something rather than simply buying it. About halfway through the project, or after one sock for me, it feels like the project is too big and you wonder why you bothered, but there’s the sense of accomplishment and pride that comes from doing it yourself and so you carry on. You have to be patient, especially when frogging or the knots just get tighter. Thant’s when I give it to hubby, or it goes back in the bag.

8. It’s fun.


9. It’s practical. If you can knit a beanie, you don't have to pay ten or twenty bucks for one anymore. You don't have to spend lots of money to knit - but you can if you really want! Basic yarn, needles and other supplies are cheap: twenty dollars can get you started.


10. It’s social. I love the way you can knit and read, especially if reading a computer screen, knit and talk, knit and watch TV. Unlike other hobbies I don’t have to shut myself in a special place, although I really, really would like a rocking chair on a porch to sit and do my knitting on, I can stay with the family and be a part of whatever it is they’re doing, while still meeting my needs. It's also a way of being different in a cool way. Even though knitting is becoming more popular, especially among younger people, you'll still stand out a little because you knit. This is a lot better than being noticed for the wrong reasons. It makes people stop and talk to you for all the right reasons.


Knitting is not for just one or two types of people. Men and women of all ages and backgrounds can benefit.
The last reason to knit is

Giving back to society. Many charitable organizations want your knitting! Make caps for premature infants at your local hospital. Knit scarves for women's shelters and the homeless. Help make an afghan or blanket for AIDS patients. You won't have to look long or hard to find a charity that you can help



Now it's your turn. The knitting of stockings first became a major occupation of the poor in England during the reign of which monarch? Leave your answer in the comments. Those who guess correctly will go into the draw to win a little surprise.

18 comments:

Henry said...

Henry VIII. He wore very fashionable stockings,right?

Linda said...

Great reasons to knit, I really enjoyed reading them. I hope it starts to help my intelligence soon!!
I think it is Queen Elizabeth 1?

t does wool said...

I'm going to agree with lin...Queen Eliz 1.

Down on the Farm said...

Say, I loved your blog today. I am going to put your blog site name in place of my own blog post today. I want all my friend to see why I don't enjoy leaving home. Did you make all those answers yourself, copy them? Whatever, I may even take a copy to my church's lady's meeting Tuesday for those who may be interested and don't have a computer. Thanks. Connie

Lynn said...

I believe it was Queen Elizabeth I. History is always SO much more enjoyable when you can include stuff you LIKE into it! LOL

Tracy Batchelder said...

I'm also going to guess Queen Elizabeth 1. That's what came to mind before I read the other guesses.

Anonymous said...

I think it was Queen Elizabeth 1 as well.

Thimbleanna said...

Yup, I'm going with Elizabeth I too. Henry VIII did wear stockings, but I don't think knitting socks was "fashionable" then???

Marcia said...

no guesses, but I like your reasons to knit. I love how immortal knitting is, and actually many crafts. I have embroidered table runners and hankies from my great grandmother (she died in 1982, I think), we have a small afghan knitted by my husband's grandmother, who passed away when he was still a teenager. A towel embroidered by my mother when she was 8. Also some needlepoint from a great-aunt, etc. I just love those things. They mean more than any new item I could buy and when decluttering the newer things are always first to go around here.

LizzieJane said...

I couldn't imagine not knitting, it's as natural to me as breathing!I also think it was Elizabeth 1.

kamewh said...

My guess is also Queen Elizabeth I!

marit said...

Queen Victoria? (just to give a different answer-LOL!)(also, I'm not very familiar with the English queens...)

Anyway- great post, and so true!!!

Indigo Blue said...

Hi,
I totally agree with all of your points on this post. As a novice knitter I am trying to learn new stitches by producing different squares, which is must get back into. When i finished my chunky knit bag earlier this year I was really pleased with it. I ws going to give it away but I could not bear to part with it! I think it was Elizabeth 1 as trade in textiles etc was flourishing as this time and new methods of making things was emerging.
I also have a blogaversary giveaway if you would like to pop over and look.
XX

leah said...

Man I am out of it when it comes to knitting trivia. After some search it is Queen Elizabeth I. Thanks for making me learn something today :)

Jane said...

I think it would have been in the middle of King Edward VI reign around 1550

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

Love the post and agree with all of what you said. I'm still waiting for the patience to develope too :)

I have absolutely no clue but will make a wild guess at Queen Elizabeth I because I've seen the movie and like Cate Blanchet!

periwinkle said...

I'll have to go with Queen Elizabeth 1 too. That was a fun post, it does give me a great sense of achievement - I think thats why I nearly always do small things too
lisa x

Unknown said...

I love this post - I love to knit - and I'm so glad that Miffy knits too!!