I was just thinking this morning as I walked my dogs that walking them and knitting are 2 things that keep me sane and help keep anxiety under control. Something so calming about knitting, the slow formation of fabric from 2 pointy things, neat and gentle repetition. The world may be going crazy but the reality of holding needles and making something beautiful reminds me of the small joys that make it all worthwhile
Thanks Sandi, for the shoutout and such a thorough and enthusiastic review of “The Woman they Could not Silence”. I’ll admit, I had to take short breaks from it at times- the descriptions were hard to hear. I’ve talked to many about this book and some were shocked to learn that these things happened in our country and within three generations. One person thought I was describing fiction.
So, emotional knitting (& sometimes weaving) has long been my preferred support during any tedious or difficult time- even more so now. I’m just about to cast on a plain pullover in soft alpaca for a long airplane ride. The bonus is I’m visiting my granddaughter who has recently become an enthusiastic knitter.
Carry on everyone and keep your knitting or weaving near to hand.
I have an emotional support spindle -- a tiny Jenkins Kuchulu (about 2 1/2" tall) that is always available. It lives in a wee container with enough fiber (it doesn't take much as the spindle it is only possible to spin gossamer yarn on this 8 gram spindle) for many hours of enduring the seemingly unendurable. Important stuff, eh?
I depend on emotional support knitting anywhere I'm likely to be distracted enough that errors will crop up, or that I'll have to concentrate too much. I've been knitting socks for more years than I can count, so a plain vanilla sock meets the criteria, as well as a dish cloth or mitred square for the blanket that's been underway for waaaaay too long. Or a kid's beanie knit in the round. Has to be nice yarn, though
Kate Moore's book is next in my audiobook queue. I'm finishing up Affinity by Sarah Waters. Have you read that one? It's historical fiction, roughly 1870s England. A lady, Margaret Prior, decides to visit women imprisoned at Millbank Prison, ostensibly to impart some of her good manners and moral reflection on them. But Margaret has her own secrets and heartbreaks and cares more for seeing the humanity in the women, rather than just her crime. One of the prisoners is Selina Dawes, a spiritualist imprisoned for fraud and assault, and Margaret becomes rather obsessed with her case. The narrator has a lovely voice.
Emotional knitting is definitely a "thing." It helped me quit smoking, for one. And it does help now, as much as it can. I wonder if there are any knitting patterns for straitjackets and muzzles ... 😉
While I do like having a project that is simple and small enough to carry around, sometimes a complicated pattern is more helpful in tuning out the world. Not too complicated, just one that would require me to pay close attention to the pattern and encourage me to forget what is going on around me for a little while.
What a delight to read your blog today, as I was just discussing the different kinds of knitting with my students, and "emotional support knitting" was one of the kinds we discussed! The two-handed nature of repetitive meditative action with luscious yarn is one of the comforting things we have in this world of uncertainty and stress.
I am going to read the book too. I have a feeling I will need to take breaks with my emotional support knitting to be able to get through the rough parts. Thanks for the recommendation.
Making simple hats to give away to different charity groups is my go to emotional support knitting. Making use of leftover yarn into daring/ creative color combos is double the fun! Are you Knitting for Food this month? I would like to send a donation to your group if so. Always a joy to see your name in my inbox!
I've had a busy and stressful few months, on both the personal and world level. With several WIPs in various stages of complexity but none that I wanted to work on, I cast on a simple triangle shawl with a gorgeous yarn I recently purchased- Beiroa from Rosa Pomar: a single ply, fluffy felted yarn in a nice spring green color. I've knit on it while studying, walking, commuting- pretty much whenever I can. I've been referring to it as my "emotional support project" as well.
Thank you Sandi, for reminding me there are better, more soothing ways of responding to the horrific events happening in our country and the world, due to several vile leaders. (See how quickly my thoughts can go to high anxiety?!) We are leaving on a trip to France soon, and I need a small, soothing project to take along as we escape the news for a few weeks. It will bring calm as we fly, and the item will then become a treasured reminder of our travels. Now to figure out what that project is!!
You're very welcome. And I understand how easy it is to slip into anxiety mode - I had to stop myself from going into a rant after that first paragraph!
I have seen the emotional support chicken, and I know many people who have knit it, but it just doesn't resonate with me. I'm not big on making non-functional items. Although I guess one could argue that a chicken-shaped throw pillow is functional.
I absolutely have emotional support knitting time and projects! Currently it's a shawl made with a locally produced breed specific yarn, Clun Forest, that I dyed myself using onion skins, to a beautiful golden shade. Everything about this project calms me and gives me joy. And reminds me I can have impact on the world. I also have contemplative knitting time where I use simple repetitive gentle knitting as a focus for meditation and prayer. Different projects and goals but both are so healing.
I have been purging a lot of the media I support. Right now everything seems to be on the cusp of something. We all remember the unsettled panic of COVID, and I feel like the same thing is happening again. The build up to some big change.
I happen to love a particular stitch right now. I have a really large swatch and I am using all my stash yarns to see how it works up. When I determine it is done a big scarf or wrap will be done. Our book club recently read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. It came out in 1994.
And, I remember reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil many years ago. It's a terrific book. When I was in Savannah a couple of years back hosting a knitting retreat, I remember thinking how accurately the book portrayed that part of the city.
We read that book a couple of years ago in book group. What a testament to her strength in horrific situations.
Emotional Support knitting. Yes! The smooth rhythm of the yarn and needles. My log cabin blocks are that type of knitting. Knitting while reading? Wow!! I can’t do that… but knitting and listening to a book👍.
In today’s world knitting a couple of rows at the beginning or end of the day is perfect!
Always look forward to reading your blog. Thanks.
I made a small triangular neck scarf with Multona pattern. Sadly I made very few notes. Going to try it again. It’s perfect for a bit around my neck when there is a bit of a chill.
Knitting while reading just takes practice. If you can knit without looking at your hands for 15-20 seconds at a time, you can knit while reading. You need to trust the skill already embodied in your hands.
I was just thinking this morning as I walked my dogs that walking them and knitting are 2 things that keep me sane and help keep anxiety under control. Something so calming about knitting, the slow formation of fabric from 2 pointy things, neat and gentle repetition. The world may be going crazy but the reality of holding needles and making something beautiful reminds me of the small joys that make it all worthwhile
So true.
I love the idea of of emotional support knitting! How did I not think of this?! Thanks too for the book recommendation. I’m going to read it
You're very welcome on both counts.
Thanks Sandi, for the shoutout and such a thorough and enthusiastic review of “The Woman they Could not Silence”. I’ll admit, I had to take short breaks from it at times- the descriptions were hard to hear. I’ve talked to many about this book and some were shocked to learn that these things happened in our country and within three generations. One person thought I was describing fiction.
So, emotional knitting (& sometimes weaving) has long been my preferred support during any tedious or difficult time- even more so now. I’m just about to cast on a plain pullover in soft alpaca for a long airplane ride. The bonus is I’m visiting my granddaughter who has recently become an enthusiastic knitter.
Carry on everyone and keep your knitting or weaving near to hand.
Enjoy your visit with your granddaughter, and safe travels!
I have an emotional support spindle -- a tiny Jenkins Kuchulu (about 2 1/2" tall) that is always available. It lives in a wee container with enough fiber (it doesn't take much as the spindle it is only possible to spin gossamer yarn on this 8 gram spindle) for many hours of enduring the seemingly unendurable. Important stuff, eh?
Definitely preferable to other self-medication options!
I depend on emotional support knitting anywhere I'm likely to be distracted enough that errors will crop up, or that I'll have to concentrate too much. I've been knitting socks for more years than I can count, so a plain vanilla sock meets the criteria, as well as a dish cloth or mitred square for the blanket that's been underway for waaaaay too long. Or a kid's beanie knit in the round. Has to be nice yarn, though
The sensual pleasure of the yarn in my hands is an essential part of emotional support knitting!
Kate Moore's book is next in my audiobook queue. I'm finishing up Affinity by Sarah Waters. Have you read that one? It's historical fiction, roughly 1870s England. A lady, Margaret Prior, decides to visit women imprisoned at Millbank Prison, ostensibly to impart some of her good manners and moral reflection on them. But Margaret has her own secrets and heartbreaks and cares more for seeing the humanity in the women, rather than just her crime. One of the prisoners is Selina Dawes, a spiritualist imprisoned for fraud and assault, and Margaret becomes rather obsessed with her case. The narrator has a lovely voice.
Emotional knitting is definitely a "thing." It helped me quit smoking, for one. And it does help now, as much as it can. I wonder if there are any knitting patterns for straitjackets and muzzles ... 😉
While I do like having a project that is simple and small enough to carry around, sometimes a complicated pattern is more helpful in tuning out the world. Not too complicated, just one that would require me to pay close attention to the pattern and encourage me to forget what is going on around me for a little while.
I have not read Affinity, but have now added it to my queue. Thanks for the recommendation!
I'm still listening to it now and, boy, it's getting creepy and spooky, very Victorian Gothic. I hope I finish it before bedtime :-)
What a delight to read your blog today, as I was just discussing the different kinds of knitting with my students, and "emotional support knitting" was one of the kinds we discussed! The two-handed nature of repetitive meditative action with luscious yarn is one of the comforting things we have in this world of uncertainty and stress.
I'm glad hear you're sharing the comfort of knitting with your students!
I am going to read the book too. I have a feeling I will need to take breaks with my emotional support knitting to be able to get through the rough parts. Thanks for the recommendation.
There are some pretty harrowing bits, but the overall message of the book is uplifting.
Making simple hats to give away to different charity groups is my go to emotional support knitting. Making use of leftover yarn into daring/ creative color combos is double the fun! Are you Knitting for Food this month? I would like to send a donation to your group if so. Always a joy to see your name in my inbox!
I am not participating in Knit for Food this month, but subscriber Marie Bailey is, and I've made a donation in support of her efforts. If you'd like to join me, here is her link: https://givebutter.com/knitforfood26/team-marie-in-tallahassee/mariebailey
I've had a busy and stressful few months, on both the personal and world level. With several WIPs in various stages of complexity but none that I wanted to work on, I cast on a simple triangle shawl with a gorgeous yarn I recently purchased- Beiroa from Rosa Pomar: a single ply, fluffy felted yarn in a nice spring green color. I've knit on it while studying, walking, commuting- pretty much whenever I can. I've been referring to it as my "emotional support project" as well.
That yarn sounds beautiful!
Thank you Sandi, for reminding me there are better, more soothing ways of responding to the horrific events happening in our country and the world, due to several vile leaders. (See how quickly my thoughts can go to high anxiety?!) We are leaving on a trip to France soon, and I need a small, soothing project to take along as we escape the news for a few weeks. It will bring calm as we fly, and the item will then become a treasured reminder of our travels. Now to figure out what that project is!!
You're very welcome. And I understand how easy it is to slip into anxiety mode - I had to stop myself from going into a rant after that first paragraph!
Have you seen the Emotional Support Chicken? Super cute (to me), scraptastic too. It does include short rows tho.
I have seen the emotional support chicken, and I know many people who have knit it, but it just doesn't resonate with me. I'm not big on making non-functional items. Although I guess one could argue that a chicken-shaped throw pillow is functional.
I absolutely have emotional support knitting time and projects! Currently it's a shawl made with a locally produced breed specific yarn, Clun Forest, that I dyed myself using onion skins, to a beautiful golden shade. Everything about this project calms me and gives me joy. And reminds me I can have impact on the world. I also have contemplative knitting time where I use simple repetitive gentle knitting as a focus for meditation and prayer. Different projects and goals but both are so healing.
I knit with some Clun Forest back when It was available through Solitude Knitting (now sadly closed)! Your project sounds lovely.
I have been purging a lot of the media I support. Right now everything seems to be on the cusp of something. We all remember the unsettled panic of COVID, and I feel like the same thing is happening again. The build up to some big change.
I happen to love a particular stitch right now. I have a really large swatch and I am using all my stash yarns to see how it works up. When I determine it is done a big scarf or wrap will be done. Our book club recently read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. It came out in 1994.
Your scarf is going to be spectacular!
And, I remember reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil many years ago. It's a terrific book. When I was in Savannah a couple of years back hosting a knitting retreat, I remember thinking how accurately the book portrayed that part of the city.
We read that book a couple of years ago in book group. What a testament to her strength in horrific situations.
Emotional Support knitting. Yes! The smooth rhythm of the yarn and needles. My log cabin blocks are that type of knitting. Knitting while reading? Wow!! I can’t do that… but knitting and listening to a book👍.
In today’s world knitting a couple of rows at the beginning or end of the day is perfect!
Always look forward to reading your blog. Thanks.
I made a small triangular neck scarf with Multona pattern. Sadly I made very few notes. Going to try it again. It’s perfect for a bit around my neck when there is a bit of a chill.
Knitting while reading just takes practice. If you can knit without looking at your hands for 15-20 seconds at a time, you can knit while reading. You need to trust the skill already embodied in your hands.
I shall have to try. I can knit in the dark😉