editor's letter
The beauty of
knitting is you can
knit pretty much
Knitting doesn't make any noise, it doesn't take up any
space, and it doesn't offend anyone. It makes waiting
for an appointment bearable, actually great, because
I get to knit. It takes me from dull-drum to a happy
place. But what about when the happy feeling of
knitting is taken to a different level? I know that feeling,
and you probably do too. For one, it's the feeling of
knitting at the end of a busy day, with a cup of tea on
the end table and a movie. That's the perfect ending
to a full day!
Then there's the great sense of belonging when
knitting as a group. There's the kind where we get
together at someone's house, knit all afternoon, and
have a pot-luck dinner together - sweet. Sharing
comments on projects, and stories about the yarns,
and the mishaps or the accomplishments after a
long-standing UFO is finally completed. It's a lot of
excitement under one roof! There's also charity knitting,
bringing people of any given community together to
knit for the worthy cause helping those in need. It's
a useful feeling all around, knowing one's capabilities
contribute to someone else's need. We can readily find
online groups that achieve the same thing. And then
there's yarn bombing, a real blast of fun.
There's another form of escaping our daily life for a
brief period to engage with like-minded knitters - the
knitting retreats! How happy does that get?! These
usually last about 5 - 7 days, including workshops
and seminars with knitting experts, and enjoying the
usually very serene and lovely premises, the kind
you'd never want to leave, and you'd wish to call it
home. There's a lot to be gained from these, a sense of
belonging paired with learning and knitting a project,
a little trifecta happening.
For me the ultimate knitting experience would be
taking a trip back to my parent's hometown of Aosta,
in the Aosta Valley, Italy. Memories of my youth are
enchanted stories of summers spent in there, hiking
up a small portion the mountains of Courmayeur,
Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, and Gran Paradiso, just to
name a few. I had an uncle who was experienced at
climbing mountains and glaciers and knew all the
spots. Although I didn't knit then, I can get drunk
on the thought of being there now, with my knitting
in tow. I imagine hiking, then knitting a spell when
stopping for a bite and absorbing the scene. I call
it BLISS. Nowhere can I find a spiritual connection
greater than in Aosta Valley, feeling so little yet so
loved. No words or thoughts are necessary, nor any
come to mind, than just simply being.
Today, travelling tours have made it possible for us
to experience this kind of bliss to all crafters and in
the company of like-minded people. It's up to us to
decide to take the leap from the ever yday routine
to blissfulness.
I’d LOVE to experience a knitting tour of Ireland… I
imagine it to be a thoroughly enchanting experience.
The thought of knitting in the land of rolling green
hills (and perhaps come across sheep crowding the
road) heightens the experience of knitting.
Share the love of knitting. Own the obsession.
anywhere.
Of this I’m ver y sure. Get your ticket, experience
blissful knitting!
follow me
KNITmuch | issue 2
5