Comments on: When Knitting is Healing http://blog.lionbrand.com/2009/06/27/when-knitting-is-healing/ News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:23:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: packrat1 http://blog.lionbrand.com/2009/06/27/when-knitting-is-healing/#comment-9154 packrat1 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:15:52 +0000 http://blog.lionbrand.com/?p=1478#comment-9154 I decided to (finally) learn how to properly crochet (and knit and loom-knit) when I had a back injury that I thought was going to permanently prevent me from sewing any more. But after three years I am able to get back to sewing, but it's hard to find time while I am so ADDICTED to all things yarny now! Ravelry and LIONBRAND.COM are two of my favorite places on the web. I decided to (finally) learn how to properly crochet (and knit and loom-knit) when I had a back injury that I thought was going to permanently prevent me from sewing any more. But after three years I am able to get back to sewing, but it’s hard to find time while I am so ADDICTED to all things yarny now! Ravelry and LIONBRAND.COM are two of my favorite places on the web.

]]> By: Pam http://blog.lionbrand.com/2009/06/27/when-knitting-is-healing/#comment-9114 Pam Sat, 18 Jul 2009 04:33:13 +0000 http://blog.lionbrand.com/?p=1478#comment-9114 I have been knitting off and on since I was 8. I still have the original size 8 needles given to me from the dear neighbor that started to teach me. My Dad being an old farm boy from the Prarie in Canada where the Winters were beastly showed me a bit too. I have been knitting cotton dish cloths for a number of years and have taken my knitting and quilting to many of my kids sporting events. Just something to keep my hands busy. Recently, my husband has decided to be unfaithful and he and his girlfriend decided to start calling me a name having to do with knitting. The name got back to me and I stopped knitting because of the pain it was causing me. I recently realized how much I had missed doing it and decided to heck with them and am back to my dish cloths!! I have been knitting them for a lot of people whom have done wonderful favors for me as I don't have a lot of money right now, but I give them to those who have helped me and it feels good to give back and I too find my knitting very relaxing and theraputic for my broken heart. I am thankful that knitting has come back from being a lost art. I have been knitting off and on since I was 8. I still have the original size 8 needles given to me from the dear neighbor that started to teach me. My Dad being an old farm boy from the Prarie in Canada where the Winters were beastly showed me a bit too. I have been knitting cotton dish cloths for a number of years and have taken my knitting and quilting to many of my kids sporting events. Just something to keep my hands busy. Recently, my husband has decided to be unfaithful and he and his girlfriend decided to start calling me a name having to do with knitting. The name got back to me and I stopped knitting because of the pain it was causing me. I recently realized how much I had missed doing it and decided to heck with them and am back to my dish cloths!! I have been knitting them for a lot of people whom have done wonderful favors for me as I don’t have a lot of money right now, but I give them to those who have helped me and it feels good to give back and I too find my knitting very relaxing and theraputic for my broken heart. I am thankful that knitting has come back from being a lost art.

]]> By: Sharon Sferrazza http://blog.lionbrand.com/2009/06/27/when-knitting-is-healing/#comment-8953 Sharon Sferrazza Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:05:58 +0000 http://blog.lionbrand.com/?p=1478#comment-8953 Knitting has helped me cope with the death of my mother, my son's cancer diagnosis, a rocky marriage, and everyday life. I just became a grandmother and our son won't allow us to even see the baby. I had already started a Big Bad Baby Blanket for my grandson and was crying (sobbing) as I knit. My husband reminded me that just because I couldn't see our grandson right now, that didn't mean that I couldn't keep knitting things for him. I also knit for Project Linus out of gratitude for my son's remission, and for the sick kids who need something that isn't "hospital colored" while they receive treatment. Knitting has helped me cope with the death of my mother, my son’s cancer diagnosis, a rocky marriage, and everyday life. I just became a grandmother and our son won’t allow us to even see the baby. I had already started a Big Bad Baby Blanket for my grandson and was crying (sobbing) as I knit. My husband reminded me that just because I couldn’t see our grandson right now, that didn’t mean that I couldn’t keep knitting things for him. I also knit for Project Linus out of gratitude for my son’s remission, and for the sick kids who need something that isn’t “hospital colored” while they receive treatment.

]]> By: Sandy http://blog.lionbrand.com/2009/06/27/when-knitting-is-healing/#comment-8940 Sandy Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:07:18 +0000 http://blog.lionbrand.com/?p=1478#comment-8940 I learned to crochet while hanging out with my boyfriend's "garage band" in the late 70's. I made afghans for friends and family - then put down my hooks to start a family. One snowy March Saturday - I looked at my two sons (ages 7 and 9) and said - "Either I find yarn and hooks or I'm going to throw you into a snow bank!" So off we went to find yarn and hook (in a very small Wyoming town...) But find them we did - and other than carpel tunnel surgery and a broken wrist - I haven't put my hooks down since. Crochet has gotten me through a divorce, depression, death, graduations, marriages and births. I lost count long ago how many afghans, baby blankets and Easter baskets I've made. All my sons friends received an afghan from me when they graduated high school - it was a hug from me as they headed out into the world. Now I crochet prayer shawls with a group at my church and for a local hospital. I've started a ministry (again, through my church) to make afghans and blankets for children, family and homeless shelters. I find joy in knowing that my crocheted "hugs" are wrapping people in prayer, hope and love. It doesn't matter anymore if I know who those people are - as long as they know that someone, some where cared enough to care for them. I learned to crochet while hanging out with my boyfriend’s “garage band” in the late 70’s. I made afghans for friends and family - then put down my hooks to start a family. One snowy March Saturday - I looked at my two sons (ages 7 and 9) and said - “Either I find yarn and hooks or I’m going to throw you into a snow bank!” So off we went to find yarn and hook (in a very small Wyoming town…) But find them we did - and other than carpel tunnel surgery and a broken wrist - I haven’t put my hooks down since.

Crochet has gotten me through a divorce, depression, death, graduations, marriages and births. I lost count long ago how many afghans, baby blankets and Easter baskets I’ve made. All my sons friends received an afghan from me when they graduated high school - it was a hug from me as they headed out into the world.

Now I crochet prayer shawls with a group at my church and for a local hospital. I’ve started a ministry (again, through my church) to make afghans and blankets for children, family and homeless shelters. I find joy in knowing that my crocheted “hugs” are wrapping people in prayer, hope and love. It doesn’t matter anymore if I know who those people are - as long as they know that someone, some where cared enough to care for them.

]]> By: Heidi http://blog.lionbrand.com/2009/06/27/when-knitting-is-healing/#comment-8936 Heidi Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:13:53 +0000 http://blog.lionbrand.com/?p=1478#comment-8936 For most of my life I have had to deal with depression. I had been able to keep it in check without medication or therapy. A year and a half ago it became severe. At that point I lost interest in all but one of my hobbies. That one hobby was knitting. I could only do small projects since anything large seemed to overwhelming. I had learned to knit socks and that was the perfect fit for me. Easy to take along and do while waiting for my therapy sessions. In an otherwise unproductive time in my life, I could feel that I had accomplished something when I had a completed pair. I'm back to doing larger projects, but I still keep sock yarn handy. For most of my life I have had to deal with depression. I had been able to keep it in check without medication or therapy. A year and a half ago it became severe. At that point I lost interest in all but one of my hobbies. That one hobby was knitting. I could only do small projects since anything large seemed to overwhelming. I had learned to knit socks and that was the perfect fit for me. Easy to take along and do while waiting for my therapy sessions. In an otherwise unproductive time in my life, I could feel that I had accomplished something when I had a completed pair. I’m back to doing larger projects, but I still keep sock yarn handy.

]]> By: Ilehlia http://blog.lionbrand.com/2009/06/27/when-knitting-is-healing/#comment-8935 Ilehlia Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:43:27 +0000 http://blog.lionbrand.com/?p=1478#comment-8935 My mother taught me to knit when I was seven and recovering from measles, bored, but unable to return to school. That was over 45 years ago and I have been knitting since. I taught myself to crochet from a book when I was 14. I set them aside for awhile during high school and university, but took them up again. Two and a half years ago, my ex-husband had me evicted from the house. It was the end of January, and I couldn't fit much in my little car. For some reason, I grabbed a bag of knitting needles and crochet hooks that I had just bought, all in large sizes because I had been making prayer shawls. No yarn, just the hooks and needles. For a year and a half, I was in shock and depression, and living at the mercy of people who let me stay with them. One woman gave me a bag of small-size knitting needles she got at an auction. I picked up leftover yarn at second-hand shops for very cheap. Other people gave me yarn left over from projects or that they realized they would never use. At first I felt like the "stuffing" had been knocked out of my creativity, and I couldn't get back into it. But I made some Christmas presents for friends who helped me through the period, and with the leftover yarn I made myself a cute tea cosy with knitted roses on top (like the latest newsletter!) That got me going again, and this past winter I made things for eight different babies being born in my circle at church. I thank God for my computer and the Internet, where I can find patterns to replace all the ones I had to leave behind. I miss my stash and my steel crochet hooks that I made lace with, but slowly God is replacing everything. Like the others above have said, knitting and crocheting are very soothing and life affirming. When you can make something to bless others, you forget about your own situation. My mother taught me to knit when I was seven and recovering from measles, bored, but unable to return to school. That was over 45 years ago and I have been knitting since. I taught myself to crochet from a book when I was 14. I set them aside for awhile during high school and university, but took them up again.

Two and a half years ago, my ex-husband had me evicted from the house. It was the end of January, and I couldn’t fit much in my little car. For some reason, I grabbed a bag of knitting needles and crochet hooks that I had just bought, all in large sizes because I had been making prayer shawls. No yarn, just the hooks and needles. For a year and a half, I was in shock and depression, and living at the mercy of people who let me stay with them. One woman gave me a bag of small-size knitting needles she got at an auction. I picked up leftover yarn at second-hand shops for very cheap. Other people gave me yarn left over from projects or that they realized they would never use. At first I felt like the “stuffing” had been knocked out of my creativity, and I couldn’t get back into it. But I made some Christmas presents for friends who helped me through the period, and with the leftover yarn I made myself a cute tea cosy with knitted roses on top (like the latest newsletter!) That got me going again, and this past winter I made things for eight different babies being born in my circle at church. I thank God for my computer and the Internet, where I can find patterns to replace all the ones I had to leave behind. I miss my stash and my steel crochet hooks that I made lace with, but slowly God is replacing everything. Like the others above have said, knitting and crocheting are very soothing and life affirming. When you can make something to bless others, you forget about your own situation.

]]> By: Cora Shaw http://blog.lionbrand.com/2009/06/27/when-knitting-is-healing/#comment-8934 Cora Shaw Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:56:02 +0000 http://blog.lionbrand.com/?p=1478#comment-8934 I first picked up knitting when I was 8 as part of earning a Brownie badge. I just didn't get it. Fast forward 10 years later, I find out I am pregnant and will be raising my child alone. My mother, a firm believer in hand knit items for babies, who taught me to knit. Mom taught me to knit using a garter stitch baby cardigan. Not the easiest project to learn on...lol. I thank God everyday for my mom. I had a very difficult pregnancy and knitting got me through. I had 2 other pregnancies of which I was on bed rest. I didn't find out about why I was having difficulties with them until my third child. After him I had my tubes tied so that I wouldn't go through another difficult pregnancy. While pregnant with the youngest I learned to crochet and I loved it. I now do both and I have even been designing my own designs in the last couple of years. Knitting and crocheting have helped to work through alcohol cravings. I am a recovering alcoholic, 3 1/2 years now. Knitting and crocheting are my way of meditating and to quiet the "voices" in my head. I was diagnosed as bipolar and this has truly helped. It helped me after being the survivor of a home invasion that left me emotionally and mentally paralyzed for months. I love the skills that I have learned over the years. My husband loves the projects as they come off the needles or hook. Cora I first picked up knitting when I was 8 as part of earning a Brownie badge. I just didn’t get it. Fast forward 10 years later, I find out I am pregnant and will be raising my child alone. My mother, a firm believer in hand knit items for babies, who taught me to knit.

Mom taught me to knit using a garter stitch baby cardigan. Not the easiest project to learn on…lol. I thank God everyday for my mom. I had a very difficult pregnancy and knitting got me through.

I had 2 other pregnancies of which I was on bed rest. I didn’t find out about why I was having difficulties with them until my third child. After him I had my tubes tied so that I wouldn’t go through another difficult pregnancy.

While pregnant with the youngest I learned to crochet and I loved it. I now do both and I have even been designing my own designs in the last couple of years.

Knitting and crocheting have helped to work through alcohol cravings. I am a recovering alcoholic, 3 1/2 years now. Knitting and crocheting are my way of meditating and to quiet the “voices” in my head. I was diagnosed as bipolar and this has truly helped.

It helped me after being the survivor of a home invasion that left me emotionally and mentally paralyzed for months. I love the skills that I have learned over the years. My husband loves the projects as they come off the needles or hook.

Cora

]]> By: pat http://blog.lionbrand.com/2009/06/27/when-knitting-is-healing/#comment-8924 pat Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:03:10 +0000 http://blog.lionbrand.com/?p=1478#comment-8924 After a hand injury and surgery I couldn't crochet for a while. But as healing occurred I was able to start slowly. It was a continuation of my physical therapy. I find I wind down at the end of the day as I crochet and it helps to relax before my night shift. Patty P you are not a failure, those parents will never know the joy of those twins,but if parents can do that the twins probably are better off or who knows maybe they were surrogates. After a hand injury and surgery I couldn’t crochet for a while. But as healing occurred I was able to start slowly. It was a continuation of my physical therapy. I find I wind down at the end of the day as I crochet and it helps to relax before my night shift. Patty P you are not a failure, those parents will never know the joy of those twins,but if parents can do that the twins probably are better off or who knows maybe they were surrogates.

]]> By: Cathy http://blog.lionbrand.com/2009/06/27/when-knitting-is-healing/#comment-8917 Cathy Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:44:54 +0000 http://blog.lionbrand.com/?p=1478#comment-8917 My aunt taught me to knit when I was visiting her after I graduated from high school. I managed to knit a passable sweater and a scarf or two, then set my needles aside while I pursued a college degree. When I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma a few years later, I picked up my needles again as something to do while sitting in waiting rooms and hooked up to chemotherapy machines. It was such a relaxing escape, not to mention a "sanity saver" to concentrate on the soothing repetition that knitting can provide. I've been in remission for 11 years, but I still knit for the same reasons - relaxation & stress-relief - as well as for handy Christmas and birthday gifts for family and friends! My aunt taught me to knit when I was visiting her after I graduated from high school. I managed to knit a passable sweater and a scarf or two, then set my needles aside while I pursued a college degree. When I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma a few years later, I picked up my needles again as something to do while sitting in waiting rooms and hooked up to chemotherapy machines. It was such a relaxing escape, not to mention a “sanity saver” to concentrate on the soothing repetition that knitting can provide. I’ve been in remission for 11 years, but I still knit for the same reasons - relaxation & stress-relief - as well as for handy Christmas and birthday gifts for family and friends!

]]> By: Catherine http://blog.lionbrand.com/2009/06/27/when-knitting-is-healing/#comment-8911 Catherine Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:15:39 +0000 http://blog.lionbrand.com/?p=1478#comment-8911 When my son was stillborn (2005) I was given a little hat and blanket for his body. I started stitching for charity then and haven't stopped since. I've always enjoyed the calm of crocheting and now I can say that it literally saved my life...by distracting me from the heartbreak with something positive. When my son was stillborn (2005) I was given a little hat and blanket for his body. I started stitching for charity then and haven’t stopped since. I’ve always enjoyed the calm of crocheting and now I can say that it literally saved my life…by distracting me from the heartbreak with something positive.

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