Wow, nine years since I updated this blog. Alot of water and life under that bridge! About two weeks ago, I became frustrated by simple hand stitching, somehow an activity that involves multiple needlesticks, blood, Band-Aids and copious amounts of bad language does not spell fun and relaxation. In desperation for some handcrafting relief, I picked up my knitting.
I stopped seriously knitting in 2017. My time was spent spinning, weaving, dyeing wool and falling in love with tapestry weaving. I loved all of it! Especially the friends I made, travels to fiber festivals, learning new skills and off course the beautiful fibers and fiber animals.
Alas, life involves change. Essential tremors and then a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease last November required some thoughtful changes in my hand crafting routine. When weaving became a chore, I moved into quilting then embroidery and slow stitch. Cognitive changes made following even simple cutting and sewing instructions a challenge and those tiny needles were sharp and impossible to thread.
It was at this point; I dug out the knitting needles and dk sock yarn. It was a fumble and stumble for the first few tries but then something changed. My hands remembered and I relaxed into the comfort that sock knitting used to provide. Other than a disastrous sock attempt in 2023, I hadn't knitted socks or anything else since 2017.
I know it is just a pair of socks, some simple knitting but it means the world to me. To find comfort and joy working with my hands again is an immeasurable blessing!
2 comments:
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us! The satisfaction and relief from being able to create has always been a driver for me, too. I know in the end I’ll either have a beautiful object to enjoy or a story to share, if I’m lucky, both! I hope whoever wears those socks treasures them!
Thank you, Sara for taking the time to comment. Hand work and creating are so important in keeping me sane in this challenging world. Take care.
Post a Comment