Dana's Edit
We Just Get It
The other day someone asked me what I love most about knitting and my immediate response was “everything.”
When she asked me to be more specific, I told her I needed to sit and really think about it—and that my answer would most likely become a column for MDK. And here we are!
Another Lento (with a bonus Jellybean)
In 2011, I took knitting lessons after wanting to learn for a long time but not knowing anyone who knit. I didn’t know if it would stick. I was just hoping I could learn how to knit at least one hat.
Fourteen years later, knitting has been a source of joy, comfort, and even a little pain (hello, tendonitis). But throughout it all it still feels like such a privilege to get to knit every single day because everyone doesn’t knit—and everyone doesn’t get IT.
And by IT, I mean—the joy of finding the perfect skein for a project you’ve wanted to make for a long time. The giddiness of learning a new technique. The pride of finishing a project, especially one that tested your skills and knitting prowess.
A Lento (without a Jellybean)
IT also means the beauty of knitting friendships, trips to Rhinebeck or your local yarn shop for knit nights, or Zoom knitting calls with friends near and far. It’s the peace and calm that comes over me after a long day when I just want to knit a few rows to clear my head. It’s the beauty in making something and then sharing it with someone I love.
Lately, I feel like I’ve been truly immersing myself in my knitting to get through some stressful times. I was going through my stash, which is overwhelming but filled with amazing yarn, and I asked myself “why am I hoarding all the good stuff if I’m never going to use it? Why buy the indie dyed or silk blends or colors that called to me if they’re just going to live in my yarn storage drawers?”
I’ve knit Sophie Scarves just so I could feel how soft the yarn was or to see the color pooling.
I’ve already knit myself two Lentos in yarn I considered special because if it’s that special, it should be used and worn.
I’m eyeing some more gorgeous skeins in my stash to make vests and hats as we get into cooler temperatures. I was letting my want of trying to find the perfect pattern for a specific yarn get in the way of actually using the yarn! And I have to admit…when I knit with the good stuff, it makes the knitting feel even better. Like I’ve leveled up in knitting and am maximizing my joy.
Tosta Tee
Again, I understand that not everyone gets it. It’s always described as a grandma’s hobby or a selfish thing women do for themselves (knitting is never selfish, more like self care). So I’ll just keep telling people that I love to knit because of so many things—and maybe I’ll convince them to join me in this amazing craft.
Live, Laugh, Log Cabin
Ann and Kay have cooked up a Knit Stars class all about log cabin knitting, a way of knitting that can fill a lifetime of endless fun. Enrollment is open now, and the classes launch in November. Come see what the fuss is about!
I get it
I so love seeing your name in my inbox, Dana! Thank you for another inspiring post!
Another great column!
You sound like such a lovely person. My favourite things to knit are socks and I love using beads. At the moment I am learning the double knit reversible knitting which is easier than I thought it would be. I learnt to knit as a child but most of the techniques I learnt from books. Fair isle intarsia etc.
Great article to start the day! We bought our house because of what I saw as great built in yarn storage. Now I have huge quantities of very yummy yarn and no idea what to do with it. Not enough for a sweater, too much for a hat…I’ll confess. It’s caused me some stress. I’d love a class on stash management and how to stash dive. (PS, woe is me. SAFF is later this month).
Thank you for putting in words how most of us feel about knitting. Always love your articles.
Yyyeeesssssss!!!!!!
Loved your column about how we feel about our knitting! But please, what is a Lento with or without a jelly bean?
This truly made my day