Knitting As An Exploration Of Self

Knitting as a metaphor for life - how lofty and philosophical for such a humble craft.

I have only to list some words and you'll see what I mean about knitting as a way of exploring myself:

close-knit (circle of friends)
fabric (of our lives)
tension (ease, guage, relaxed)
thread (as in yarn, or string of thoughts)
yarn (as in a tale to tell)

And then there's the concept of "mistake" and another way to look at one: inspiration, accidental beauty, or new technique.

Knitting has kept mathematics and creativity (how often do you use those two words together?) in my life well past my school days and childbearing years. I believe knitting and designing knitting patterns keeps my brain cells active. I imagine Alzheimers will be kept at bay as long as I'm able to knit. I disliked math as a child, it's my friend and constant companion as a knitting adult.

I even found a new appreciation for the book, "A Tale of Two Cities" when I reread it, paying special attention to Madame LaFarge, sitting beside the guillotine knitting while countless others were slaughtered. And working subversive messages right into her knitting - clever gal.

I can't explain why I get so much pleasure just from looking at yarn, feeling it, and imagining the possibilities. I long for the comfort and coziness of my felted wool slippers all summer long. Taking an afternoon nap under a hand knit afghan is another pleasure that anxiously awaits the return of cold days. A fleece sweatshirt doesn't hold a candle to a wool sweater. I don't know why, some things just ARE.

Knitting takes my mind off my problems, and once a particular pattern is mastered, the mind is free to wander. Care-full thoughts go into each stitch as I knit for loved ones.

Knitting can therefore be a form of meditation. Also, when I find myself knitting too tightly or unevenly, it forces me to pay attention to my state of mind. It's like a sort of mental yoga as well as meditation - helping to ease your consciousness back into its groove.

Excuse me - my knitting basket is calling me.

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