Not Just for Grannies: Five Reasons Everyone Should Learn to Knit

Today, there is a huge resurgence of people, young and old, who are learning to knit and these people are experiencing some wonderful perks that everyone can benefit from. Many cannot understand why you would want to knit something when you can just go out to the store and buy it. The following reasons should dispel any confusion on this.

First, watching the fabric that you are creating grow larger and larger is very rewarding in and of itself. There is a sense of pride in creating a scarf or a blanket or a garment with nothing more than two hands, some string, and a couple of sticks. Each piece is unique and there is nothing like it in the world. For people who like a strong sense of individuality, this is a major plus since no one else will pick the exact same yarn paired with the exact same pattern along with the exact size or construction of the stitches. Watching your individual project grow larger in your own hands is very satisfying.

Second, knitting can help people slow down from the often frenetic pace of life. Too often we have an intense need for instant gratification in many areas. Television shows can not only be recorded but you can now access them instantly with digital video recording devices on services such as OnDemand from Comcast. By sitting down and knitting a scarf instead of just running to the store and buying a scarf, you are slowing down and learning to delay your gratification. The saying "patience is a virtue" is demonstrated clearly by knitters who can spend anything from an hour or two on a simple scarf to a couple of months creating a sweater. By making a piece yourself over time, it makes the finished piece that much more meaningful to wear or give as a gift.

Next, we can also learn to multitask when knitting. Besides the fact that our hands are holding needles in these fingers and yarn in those, we often do other things while knitting. You can watch television if you are making a simple scarf or poncho and some knitters even read books while knitting. For more challenging pieces of knitting, as is involved in detailed color work, the multitasking is inherent in the project. Several pieces of yarn may be looped over different fingers and strict attention must be paid to which color is used on which stitch. From simple to complex, multi-tasking is a skill that many knitters learn and apply to other aspects of their lives.

Knitting is not just for grandma or even just women anymore. Look around at local coffee shops or walk into a knitting shop and you will see men knitting anything from hats to sweaters to bathmats. There are websites devoted to, for, and by men who knit and there are famous athletes who were known to knit. According to one of the aforementioned sites, knitting used to be mainly a manly art and fishermen often knitted their own sweaters while at sea. In some countries, the most elaborate and intricately designed sweaters are hand-knit by men. Look at many modern knitting patterns and you can see flames, skulls, and other masculine themes incorporated into many projects.

Lastly, knitting is therapeutic. Some people really enjoy the rhythmic sound of clicking needles and others feel calmed by the repetitive motion of forming a stitch. Knitting is a great stress-reliever and is a good way to calm yourself and slow down after a hectic day. As mentioned earlier, it is highly rewarding to watch your project growing and becoming a recognizable thing. And because knitting is highly transportable, you can take your project to your favorite relaxation spot to sit and knit and just enjoy your day.

Knitting is a craft that anyone can enjoy. Elementary kids are learning to knit and designing and selling their own pieces. Men are knitting scarves and hats for their girlfriends or friends. Television shows and countless community boards are dedicated to modern, or hipster, knitting. This timeless craft is not just for grandmas anymore. Anyone can learn to knit and everyone can benefit from at least knowing how to construct a simple garment or even from knitting socks. So, head on down to your local discount store, library, or yarn shop and get some books with basic stitches and pick up those sticks. You will be glad you did.