Does knitting make us better people?

 

Well hello there! Happy Sunday to you!

 

 

How is this Sunday treating you? This Sunday finds me feeling lost, as I feel very much like a football orphan. I realize that after the SuperBowl that there will be no more football and it is not as if this doesn't happen ever year, but I can't help feeling a bit sad. Of course it does help that my Broncos won the SuperBowl. :)

 

 

What does help is making up mini skeins for swaps that I mentioned in a previous post. Thank you to all of you who contacted me via Raverly and agreed to be swap buddies. I am now all out of minis and need to knit more socks to replenish my trading stash. What a problem to have, right?

 

 

I have already received a couple of my swap package. These loves above are from a sweet friend Kaitlyn.

 

 

Then lovely Emma sent me these beauties all the way from Canada. Yay, more teas to try!!

How wonderful is this craft that we can meet and swap with people all over the world? Yarnies brought together via their love of creating. I was chatting with Emma (GracefulEm on Raverly), about how brilliant it is that we can reach out and say, "Hey would you like to swap" and then somehow a friendship forms. This isn't a one time thing, it happens all the time. Whether it is when we like a project and comment on it or randomly send a friend someone because we like their photos.

My experience with knitters ( when I say knitters I am including peeps who crochet, spin and what-not), has always been a positive one. I know that it is not the same for everyone, but it seems to me that the good experiences outweigh the bad.

 

 

We are all aware of the benefits of knitting and why we knit. For some of us it brings solace, patience and keeps our minds from worry. I have no doubts that through this exercise (knitting),  it makes us better people. Is it possible that because of the things we learn through knitting,  things like not sweating the small stuff or being kinder to ourselves that we are now in turn projecting that onto others?

I know that for me, I am a better person because of knitting. Sounds silly, but it's true. Do you think the same? Or maybe you think you knit because you are a good person? Maybe it is one of those which came first, the chicken or the egg sort of questions.

Just some random thoughts. I hope you have the best day today!

XO,

Andi

Comments

[Ine]

Does knitting make me a better person? A tough question on this grey Sunday morning! I woke up way too early (karate kid in my belly) and am wondering what the answer to your question is for me. Well, it's certain that since I started knitting that I've become more calm and see things from another perspective. Maybe it's because, while knitting, your mind has time to reflect about some happenings and since knitting is quite repetitive at times and therefor therapeutic, it's also challenging. So when succeeded, the callenging knititng gives you more confidence. Also, I think, the act of creating something with your own hands to give to another person makes you a better person, I always feel happy to be able to give something handmade and people really appreciate that nowadays.

[Zeta]

In my case, knitting made me a better person. More patient, understanding and calm. Without knitting I would be lost. And I met some awesome people that happens to be knitters also :-)

[Tahnee]

I very much agree with you on this point, it's amazing how kind the knitting community is. I've never had any unfriendly interactions with another knitter ever, and the willingness to help another knitter out is just amazing. I think the swap is a great example, but I could go online as we speak and post a cry for help (I don't understand the pattern/what yarn should I use/I'm just feeling a bit down right now) and would be almost certain that dozens of people would send me friendly and helpful messages. And the main thing that connects us is knitting, it's truly amazing!!

[Christie Hoagland]

I am happiest when knitting for others and my projects most often are wonderful. When I knit for myself I have troubles and often do not like the end result. Weird, huh?

[Tracey]

I have not met a knitter in person or online that wasn't an amazing soul! Are they amazing first and then become knitters or the other way around? I really don't know, but regardless it's a wonderful thing.
My experiences with swaps has been 99% positive and that too is a wonderful thing.
I'm sorry you're sad that football is over, how about some old movies to fill in until the season begins again?
Happy Valentines Day!

[lilirious]

YES. I think it does <3 I think it's the same for people who meditate a lot, they are usually much calmer and friendlier than people who live 'important' and very rushed lives (this is a huge generalization, and maybe not a kind one haha oops sorry!). Maybe it's all about the pace, you can't knit a sock in 1 hour, it takes time to knit it stitch for stitch. And if you're angry people tell you to count to 10, but I usually pick up knitting and spend a lot more time calming down that when I would only count to 10. For me it's totally true, I've become much nicer, more patient, friendlier and overall I guess a better person :)
I also agree that the knitting community is pretty amazing and the good really do outweigh the bad <3

[camilla]

Not only do I think it makes us better as people in this loud and busy world-enjoying the quietude, letting our thoughts pass thru as we sit and knit... I also think we share in something special that is past down for generations that can reconnect with places, people and dear ones- maybe even more than a photograph. I guess I am biased... the knitting community is a kindred one- Yes!

[Andrea @ This Knitted Life]

Knitting DEFINITELY makes me a better person! Much more patient and loving. Enjoy the swap. I just finished a little sick scrap pattern for a hair band accessory. Keep meaning to finalize...but then I get distracted knitting more socks!

[stefanie]

I feel well-balanced creating with my hands. When I was teacher, I pounded the academics. I didn't do art and felt bad about it. I love knitting; once in a while I need a break from it and other times when I'm busy w/life I get anxious when I'm not touching yarn. Happy Valentine's Day darling! Silly questions here: Are the mini skeins made from leftover sock yarn?

[Mimi]

Does knitting make me a better person? Usually. Except for the days when there is a tangled mess, dropped stitches in lace, or s needle slipping out of the stitches. Then, maybe not so much. Bad words pass through my mind, but thankfully not out of my mouth! :-)

[Alina]

So much yarn goodness in one post! I really love this question and I often find myself wondering about it. I know it may sound way too much, but I can say that I am who I am today because of knitting. It definitely changed me and keeps changing me everyday, and I believe I am a better person because of that. It's a weird feeling really, but when day job gets too stressed or sadness comes into life, I always have this "background" peace inside of me - I know that no matter what I can always come back to my tiny room, get a skein of yarn and for a moment forget about all the worries in the world.

[wendy]

Oh yes all the crafty stuff keeps me sane ☺ and I did enjoy your post here sharing all that lovely yarn ♥ I have made some lovely friends via crochet and knit and also via blogland and you sure are one of them xo

[DIane]

simply reading your posts and getting to know you in that way, it is no wonder why you attract other good and giving people. Happy knitting.

[Jules O]

I do think knitting has certainly helped me maintain a healthy balance in an otherwise stressful job, I know I always reach for the knitting needles when I get a chance & be able to calm down, It's allowed me to be more patient, be generous to help & gift items to others as I've discovered this gives me great joy. And hopefully to others. I still can't count for the life of me, & my housework suffers but knitting certainly brings a light into my day!! It also has taught me it's not the end of the world when I have a mistake or something doesn't work out. The only thing I can walk away & not be directly affected by a negative result (except for time spent, but I don't mind that so much these days) And like you say, it has connected with so many people in different places of the world, its so fascinating in that sense!!!

[Juliann]

Knitters and crafters are lovely folks. I got to do a bit of knitting and some stitching on a new quilt this weekend. I think crafting helps me be a kinder and gentler person.

[AngelaH]

Oh, I am definitely a better person because of knitting. I'm more patient, for sure, but also more keyed in to the needs of others in a concrete way. I'd like to think that I've always been generous and thoughtful, but I know that knitting has enhanced that.

The time I spend knitting for others means I'm thinking about them all year round, and not just at designated life events (birthdays, Christmas, etc.) and that has made more aware of exactly who my friends and family are, and how their needs and desires and tastes change. Knitting has given me another way to know the people I love.

[Monica]

Awesome writing, my friend. Knitting and spinning are more than hobbies for me. They have given more than what I deserve--including your friendship! Xoxo

[Caffeine Girl]

Let me just chime in and agree with everyone else; I am definitely a better person because of knitting. It is a meditative activity, one that helps me slow down and be more in the moment.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[Lisa]

I know that my life is different than it would be if I didn't knit. Afterall, so many things in my life are affected by being a knitter - my art mainly. But I also have made some of the best friends a girl could ask for because I knit, in fact one of my best and closest was met on a Raveelry board! It's so crazy to think that my life could be different.

[karen]

knitting makes me a sane person and that makes me a better person over all. It relieves my stress and worries :) Yes, you must knit more and more and more socks :)

[Kat]

Fiber people are so easy to make friends with! I don't know what it is, but it really doesn't take much to find a new best friend :) Glad to hear that crafting has been such a positive force for so many of us, I know I certainly can't imaging my life now without knitting or my knitting friends!

[Angela]

You have got very beautiful yarns!! I do not watch sports, well...only the world cup - soccer!! I grow up in Brazil so there is a bit of love for soccer. For me to make crochet calms me down. I am a can be a nervous Nelly I tell you! Have a great day Andi.

[ellen]

Mango Passionfruit tea eh? How is that? I'm dubious but I love seeing what you drink. Fun times. I wish I could share a cup with you. The photos of the sock swap are all so pretty. What's not to love.

Are there other sports you enjoy? My non knitting friends (and what I would call, casual knitters -- opposed to obsessive like, ahem some of us) are always surprised at how many of my Internet Knitting Friends like sports. Baseball is around the corner ... I believe spring training started this week. I have too many sports or at least teams that I enjoy. hehe.

Al the best!

[Donna@Allthingsming]

Knitting/crochet/crafting has kept me grounded in the worst and most stressful of times. I would be lost without it! It can snap you right into a space of beauty immediately.

And swapping...you just connect with so many lovely beings. All such blessings!

I'm so sorry you are lost my friend...I will be like that after the last episode of Downtown Abbey!

all my love,
Ming

[Julie]

The mini skein swap is a genius idea! I just started a pinterest board for pattern for mini skeins, because they are so addictive!