Ah, knitting! Missing out be those of wicked fortune who never have touched what is also called a knitting stick. May this message be of joy and revelation to you. (Sorry about that.)
I used to knit a lot in high school and even after, then I dropped the hobby altogether to focus on studies (because knitting wasn't intelligent enough a pastime), and now, this autumn, I've kind of taken up the habit again.
And how much fun it has been!
The magic of knitting lies not in it's complexity - even though you can easily make the process complicated - nor in its diversity - although you can make as diverse knits as you like, there's no limit. No, the magic lies in two absolute facts:
- If the pattern is simple, you can stop thinking altogether, and
- You get to do with your hands.
(It's also a very efficient way to stay awake all night.)
I've noticed several times now - once the muscles in your arms, hands, and fingers memorize the pattern and what kinds of movements they're supposed to be repeating, it will happen automatically without you having to think about it. You can watch a movie at the same time. Or listen to Bob Ross. Or simply sit in silence, knit away, and forget to think for a while.
The effect of not thinking for once is fairly cleansing.
If you're like me and spend the majority of your day thinking actively and focusing your brain capacity on something singular, this is a welcomed activity. You can just let the boring and monotonous movement of your muscles do all the work and absorb all need to use your head.
The best way to get optimal results of this technique is to use a relatively simple pattern - so you don't have to concentrate on when to do what - and use it to make functional items, like scarfs or beanies, for yourself and as Christmas presents to your loved ones. You'll be surprised how quickly they emerge.
Soon enough you'll not only have a clear and bright mind, but also gifts for practically everyone in your entire extended family.
RK