Why do you knit?
Posted By Laura on August 1, 2007
My mum is a big knitter. She used to knit when my brother and I were growing up and she made lots of jumpers and things for us. She now knits lots of baby clothes for a charity in Edinburgh and always has something on the needles. She is the only real knitting influence I have and it was her I spoke to when learning and my recent re-learning – even though she is over 400 miles away now.
When I went up north at the weekend for my dad’s birthday, we got to discussing knitting. I have a book that I use when I knit – I write down everything from the needles I am using to the yarn that I use to how much yarn I use etc. I also write down each and every row that I knit. I have skreets of tally marks, indicating the various rows or rounds. I am a mathematical and methodical knitter. Mum found this quite strange and also insinuated that it took the fun out of knitting (she is not mathematical).
This got me thinking about why I knit. And after a bit of deliberation, I think that the reason I knit is because it is mathematical and methodical. I am a very mathematical person – I loved maths at school and am forever counting xyz. I have a fascination with numbers and love order. Yes, my house is not that orderly (possibly hindered by my knitting … ) but I do have an obsession with organisation.
I do also love the process of knitting and the fact that I have an object at the end that I made from scratch.
So there you have it – possibly the reasons I knit: to be mathematical and methodical. Why do you knit? Are there reasons? Is it just for something to do? Enlighten me 
I will have another update later – I have some photos to take of a nearning FO and my anniversary present from David (thanks for your good wishes, by the way!).
That’s funny – my mum used to knit, and found it so boring, she can’t understand why I would take it up! (She had to tell me that to stop me badgering her to start knitting again.) I knit because I love making stuff, and I love having more control over the things I use and wear. I don’t have so much of a maths brain, but I do adore learning new technical stuff and putting it into practice. PS happy anniversary!
I knit because it gives me something to focus on and passes the time in the evenings. ‘Me’ time is important to me and knitting allows me to have this.
I only started knitting when I realized that you don’t have to only knit sweaters. However, now I’m more drawn to making items that I know will fit me. Stores are just about useless. I’m realizing more and more that it’s the finished object that keeps me interested, though I like learning new techniques and figuring out patterns too.
I first wanted to knit so I could make my own socks. I somehow thought that was the stepping stone to being in total control of your life when I was a kid. I now realize that childish notion isn’t entirely without merit. I like the idea of making things that are just for me, that fit me, and perfectly suit me. I knit for the creative aspect. I like making my own patterns and coming up with something to make with left over yarn. I like having no limit to the things I can create, and that keeps me interested.
I am happy to say that i did not insinuate, but stated a fact xx
Great lookin’ Fuzzy Feets there!!!
Great lookin’ Fuzzy Feets there!!!