Knitting is Cool that Way

I'm happy to say that one of my long lost favorite gym friends came back. No, he's not the one who'd circle the cardio area while eating Chinese and wearing a high-end Afro wig. No, it isn't him. Instead, he's one of the lesser discussed Boxing While Treadmilling Guys, the one who I have spent a better part of a total of at least 26 hours last year avoiding (in my line of vision, at least).

He's known to do an entire boxing routine while on the treadmill, except for the jumping-rope part. Other than that, you can pretty much presume that he'll be doing The Routine whilst (I can't believe I just wrote that), treading along--while I try to avoid him in my line of vision.

At any rate, I've been thinking about things like that, you know: Things that just sort of happen. And I'm not thinking that this guy will become a professional boxer by doing that thing on the treadmill or anything--although his upper cut is the bomb--but I would like to talk about the sort of thing that just happens, for no other reason than "just because."

I started knitting because I was bored. That is it, really. I was bored. I had knit a hat or two for my almost-born twins after I visited my LYS one night. I remember HWWV entering the place for our first time and he smiled and sat down while I worked my way, heavy with the twins, along the chairs there, where all the patterns were. I discovered that cute Norling Strawberry Cap pattern and found some red, purple and some green acrylic and bought it, and then we left. I knitted them up and before you knew it, one thing happened and another thing happened, and then I was left with a cap or two and just me and HWWV crying there on our stairs, without our boy and our girl.

But knitting, it stayed with me. The knitting, even when I went back into that LYS, was there and although I didn't know the people there all too much, and so much time had passed since I made those strawberry/eggplant caps, the yarn was still there, too. (And now there was the eyelash, and all that metallic junk and boy, was I surprised.)

There are days when I wonder why the heck I'm knitting so crazy-like, and then there are others, like this evening when I sit down and write my thoughts, that I am thankful that I have something to create and something to do and something to think about. Knitting is cool that way.

Comments

[Tammy]

I'm sorry Wendy, I know some things leave scars too deep to ever completely heal. I praise God for G-Friend for she surely is an adorable blessing.

I started knitting during the recovery of a very difficult time in my life. It has not only given me a much needed creative outlet and hobby, but I still feel that it was a part of my healing process, something that distracted me from life when it became too much. It has brought me joy and some wonderful new friends. Knitting is definitely cool that way.

[fitknit]

Thank you.

Knitting is way cool.

[anna]

amen

[Miss Scarlett]

My SIL just had a similar heart breaking experience last week. I am glad that you found something that has given so much back to you. You are a brave and strong woman and thank you for sharing with us.

[Emy]

Thanks for reminding us how knitting has been a great comfort to some of us all this while :)

[Estella]

Well said...I've also found the knitted gift to be healing as well.

[becky]

yes, it is.

[Miz Booshay]

I think if knitting is anything more than a craft to you...
it's in your soul.

The desire to create beauty comes from your soul.

[Marie Grace]

Knitting and yarn are definitelt cool.

After my husband died I didn't leave the house for a long time for several reasons, one of them being that I couldn't stand people looking at me with that pity face anymore so I stayed home where I could hide.

After a few weeks a dear friend came over to sit with the kids and basically kicked me out of my own house...told me I needed to get out and do something nice for myself.

I went to the LYS because nobody there knew me well enough (at that time) to know what had happened...so nobody would give me the pity face.

I drove there. I bought yarn. I drove home. I felt better.

Thanks for the reminder.

[Terry]

Wendy,
I've had a similar experience, although not twins. I'm in the throws of another "situation" and all I can do is knit. There's days that I believe it's the only thing that's allowing me to stay somewhat sane.

[jan]

Yes, it is. Sometimes I just need to sit down and click the sticks together. I'm glad I'm not alone.

[Lin]

Sometimes knitting is like a meditation and helps sort the chaos in my head out.At other times it is a distraction from the chaos around.

[chris]

As always, your entry is so touching and sweet . . . and I love that you started knitting because you were bored!

Also, since I've started reading your blog, I'm much more aware of the kooky people I see at the gym . . . none of them are quite as, um, unusual as yours, but they have their quirks anyway!

[gay]

i started knitting, again, because i wanted to continue the family christmas stocking tradition for the some family members. i continued to knit and knit and knit my way through the years my son was in the marine corps stationed in war zones. it kept me whole and now i have this great fun creative outlet...you've been wonderful and an inspiration. thanks

[Emily]

That's what I love about knitting....that feeling of accomplishment or at least being busy.

[Nancy L]

I am crazy about your blog. I live in California too. someday I will have the joy of thanking you in person for telling your stories and writing your patterns. yeah,, knitting is cool. thanks to you.

[brenda in toronto]

Beautifully written, Wendy...

[Sarah]

Yes, knitting is cool that way...I adore your blog and patterns and visit everyday.

[Pam]

You know those iPod commercials with the silhouettes of people dancing with their iPods? There's a guy at my gym who dances like that while going around the track. So entertaining - and he works up quite a sweat!

[Kim P]

I started knitting when I quit smoking. At the time I thought it would be nice and keep me busy. Little did I know that there was a whole community of knitters who blog and comment and sometimes meet up and become friends. The way people support one another through blog comments is truly amazing, as the comments to this post prove. When I first picked up the needles, I didn't know about knitting groups, fiber festivals or anything and now I knit with a bunch of smart hilarious women every Thursday night and going to a fiber festival is like making a holy pilgrimage. I often wonder what the hell I did with myself before I knit. Knitting and knitters are f-ing awesome!

[Gaylen]

Wendy - I don't often post comments, but your blog often gives me something to think about. Knowing you (and others through comments) are going/have been through similar situations keeps me sane at times.

I'm glad knitting has been there for you and will continue to be. Thank you sharing a part of yourself with us.

[gleek]

i feel exactly the same way. thanks for putting into words what, i'm sure, many of us think and feel but never have the words to describe.

[Marisol]

Hi Wendy,

I don't comment often on your blog eventhough it is one of my daily reads. I completely agree with you on this topic though. I began knitting about 3 1/2 years ago and
totally engrossed myself in the craft all of last year after having gone through a miscarriage of my own. I was 5 months along and lost may baby girl. It was Knitting all the way that got me through this most difficult time of my life.
Knitting is definitely cool that way!

[nova]

amen sister!

[Carol]

AMEN.