The reasons I knit have changed.
I learned to knit in the 60’s. I did it because it was fun. I tried to knit things beyond my comprehension and the first thing I made was a scarf of so many different colors, my siblings could have sold me off. I switched colors and saw the line you get when doing the change but didn’t know enough to make the change on the same side. I loved the scarf made from scrabs of yarn that came from who knows where.
I learned how to crochet shortly after and like a lot of crocheters, I learned how to make a chain and not much else until someone introduced to me turning my work.
I didn’t knit much in high school or college and it wasn’t on my mind as I tried to make my way in the world. I didn’t think about it much until I met Mr. Honey or more precise, Mr. Honey’s mama who knit and crocheted like a boss.
Well now, none of her kids or grandkids knit and I saw an in. I would knit to impress my hopefully one day mother-in-law. I went crazy. I found a huge set of needles and crochet hooks on sale on eBay and spent about $100 getting them. I bought some cheap yarn (Hello, Red Heart) and started making scarves. That was the easiest thing to make.
First, she wasn’t impressed. She kinda smiled at me. She didn’t need me to knit. She was extremely happy her late 40’s son had found someone he wanted to marry.
Second, God laughed at that little scheme because I got hooked on knitting and crochet for the love of knitting and crochet and would lead me to all sorts of paths of service. So my reasons for knitting would change again. I would start a knitting group, add a source of revenue for my church, start a business and knit prayer shawls, baby blankets and afghans for church members at different phases in their lives. And I would finally knit for me again but in a respectful and reverent way.
It is rare for me to leave a hook or needles alone. We were recently in Austria and I had my projects with me and didn’t touch them once. I’m surprised the snow caps didn’t melt.
Why do you knit or crochet or craft? Besides the universal “So I don’t kill people”, how does your craft bring you joy?