Or: Grannie Mercy and the Esoteric Zen of Knitting.

Hello, Stitchers!

You know, when I came up with this as a subject, I knew I’d have plenty to share… I did not know quite how much, though! I sincerely tried to whittle it down, but It didn’t get much shorter so in the end, I decided to publish it in 2 parts.  I hope you’ll come back around for part 2!

Now, let’s get into it!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been mesmerized by knitting. One grandma (my favorite… and I was her favorite!) was a crochet wizard—her Irish lace could drop jaws at twenty paces—and she tried to pass her skills on to me. But while she was creating lace like a champ, I was dreaming about knitting. I was happier than a cat in a yarn store when I finally learned to knit, and boy, did I surpass my own expectations! I became a knitting ninja, although part of me regrets not paying more attention to Grandma’s crochet magic. I guess I had a little yarn rivalry brewing in my noggin. Maybe because Grandma Lizzie didn’t knit–though Grandma S did.  Somehow, I decided I had to be Team Knit. Sorry, crochet, you just didn’t make the cut! 

SIDE NOTE: Hmm. I wonder why I never asked the other grandma to learn to knit or why she never offered. Grandma Lizzie may have been my favorite, but I completely adored Grandma S, too and I know she loved me. And still, there was no knitting between us. Weird, right?

Fast forward to the ripe old age of 35—yes, thirty-five!—when I finally picked up those elusive knitting needles. Turns out, a close friend had been a secret knitting guru all along (thanks to her English mum). Who knew? Certainly not me, until one fateful day in my mid-thirties.

I’ll admit, my first attempts at knitting were about as smooth as a porcupine at a petting zoo. I even suggested to my friend Mary that maybe knitting needles should come with hooks to make life easier. After she finished laughing hysterically at my ‘brilliant’ idea, she encouraged me not to throw in the towel. So, I stuck with it, and suddenly, during one magical, click-worthy moment, I got it. I really got it! And just like that, I was completely drawn into the knitting world, utterly and irrevocably addicted enchanted.

As my passion grew, so did my skills, (or was it the other way around?) and soon enough, Mary’s knitting wisdom was tapped out. That’s when I braved the wilds of the internet, or as I like to call it, the interweb-thingy. 

And here’s the thing, fellow Stitchers—not only did I become a wiki of knit and purl, but knitting itself turned out to be the guru. Yes, you heard that right. Knitting schooled me in life just as much as it did in stitches!

Before I get into the things I’ve learned, I just want to draw attention to the biggest thing my kids learned when I learned to knit. Maybe the people in your life learned this, too.

Interrupt at your own peril!

Patience and Perseverance 

Knitting can be a real test of patience and perseverance, can’t it? Whether it’s wrestling with a gargantuan blanket, navigating the twists and turns of an intricate sweater, or finessing those fancy socks that just won’t behave, knitting projects always manage to stretch out longer than a Monday at the office. Ever had a project you had to frog so many times that you considered just knitting it directly into the trash can? No? Just me? ‘K.

But really, my knitting projects often develop minds of their own. Sure, I could throw in the towel (or the yarn), and sometimes I’m tempted. But let’s be real—as knitters, we’re not about to let a rogue ball of yarn outsmart us. That rebellious fiber is going down.

Take, for example, this fiendishly intricate sweater pattern I designed for a Christmas gift many years ago. Oh, it was just one of many sweaters I was churning out that year, but this particular rebel decided to be ‘the one’. I sketched. I swatched like a boss. I measured, re-measured, counted stitches like they were carbs, and used so many markers I could have stocked a small store. And yet, barely three inches in, disaster struck. Too small! And I adjusted, then… too big! The pattern I wrote out was more confusing than a teenager’s explanation of why they need a new phone. 

Now, before you go thinking this was super early in my career and I bit off more than I could chew – No. Not the case. I’m not sure why it was such a pain, the previous sweaters I’d knit that year were equally intricate, but I managed those just fine.

But could I give up? No way. With six kids, if I’m knitting a sweater for five, leaving one out would be the start of a household Cold War. So, it was back to the drawing board, over and over until—voila!—the sweater was perfect. And it turned out to be my favorite of the lot that year. (And no, I didn’t knit them in birth order, so my kids are still guessing which one was the fave!)

Creativity and Expression

Stepping into the world of knitting is like wandering into a candy store, except the shelves are stocked with yarns instead of sweets, and trust me, it’s every bit as tempting! 

It’s pretty cool that I get to play the role of a fashion designer every day, choosing whether today’s mood calls for knitting a neon pink sweater sprinkled with lime green polka dots or a luxurious, off-white cable knit scarf. The choice is always mine, and the possibilities are endless.

Choosing yarn is an adventure all on its own. There’s the kind that’s so incredibly soft, you might think you’re petting a cloud, and then there’s the kind that feels like it was made for scrubbing pots. And let’s not even get started on the patterns. They range from the no-brainers I could knit while sleeping (I’ve literally done so!) to the “fire up the espresso machine, it’s going to be a long night” kind of project.

This freedom to mix and match according to my interests (or whims) keeps every knitting project exciting and uniquely mine. Whether I’m completely focused on one project or juggling multiple works-in-progress, the joy of choice is what keeps my needles clicking and my imagination spinning.

Knitting isn’t just a way to pass the time; it’s a vibrant form of self-expression. Each project is like a canvas where I’m the artist, and my yarns and needles are my brushes and paints. Whether I’m crafting a whimsical flower pot hat in eye-popping colors or a dignified shawl in a lace so dainty and intricate that could grace a royal wardrobe, every piece reveals a bit of my personality or the personality of the recipient..

Every stitch tells a story. Maybe today I feel bold and opt for a splash of vibrant turquoise, or perhaps it’s a more subdued, soft lavender kind of day. Each choice reflects my current vibe, turning my knitting projects into a diary spun of yarn.

Choosing or creating knitting patterns is where personal flair really comes into play. Will it be the sleek, modern lines of a minimalist poncho, or the elaborate dance of twists and turns in a traditional Aran jumper? Each pattern I pick or write is a testament to my taste, to the ultimate recipient, and a spark to my creative spirit.

For those of us with piles of WIPs, these aren’t just unfinished projects; they’re chapters of our lives waiting to be stitched together. Whether you’re a stickler for following patterns to the letter or you love to experiment with your own designs, every knit and purl is a piece of your story. Knitting is more than a hobby—it’s a way to make your mark on the world.

Think of knitting as your personal billboard, a way to shout—or whisper—who you are through the medium of yarn. Whether today brings the calm tedium of a baby blanket or the exuberance of an intarsia stocking shouting, “Here I am!”– every item knitted is like a warm, cozy entry in life’s joural.

And for anyone just picking up the needles, it might feel like you’re broadcasting a comedy of errors at first—snags, dropped stitches, UNdropped stitches, the works. But that’s all part of the journey. Each little mishap is just another laugh and a step closer to mastering this wonderfully expressive craft. So grab your needles and yarn, and let’s find out what your knitting will reveal about you today!

So, there it is. Part 1. Come on back for Part 2!