Whether it’s because of an injury or life got busy (perhaps a new baby, new responsibilities at work or other hobbies), if you want to go back to knitting the first thing to do is to slow down and start with very small projects (like small beanies and socks). How do I go back to knitting after a long break A long break will make you lose some of those skills you gained when you’re still active. For example, if it’s been 10 years already since you last rode a bicycle or drove a car, it can take you a while before you gain back your skill. At first it will be awkward and you might feel tha ..read more

It’s now time to slow down and focus on the present. Enjoy and appreciate this very moment and you will experience the calm and quiet. Well, this is not your typical article about gratitude and mindfulness. Our focus here is how knitting encourages mindfulness. First we’ll talk about mindfulness in general and then quickly discuss knitting and its benefits to reducing stress. About mindfulness It’s about present awareness. Although the essential practice can be traced back centuries ago, mindfulness is becoming popular and entering the mainstream just in the recent years. But why now ..read more

Although knitting is a hobby and a relaxing activity, there’s some fascinating science and engineering behind it. Here in this article let’s stretch our minds a bit as we talk about the academic and technical side of knitting. Structure determines function and properties Well, this is a heavy start. Anyway, what gives beauty and function to a knitted creation is its material as well as its structure (how it’s knitted and made). For example, when you make a mistake in the stitch notice that the whole creation gets ruined (although you can still correct it). It’s the same yarn and material ..read more

Knitting is supposed to be relaxing because of the quiet and just sitting down completing a nice project. However, the peace and quiet can be easily disrupted by pain in the wrists, hands, arms, shoulders, neck or back. This can immediately stop you from knitting further and prevent you from finishing that lovely scarf you’re planning to give to your loved one or add to your awesome collection. What should you do then to avoid the pain and still enjoy long hours of knitting so that you can complete more projects? Are there ways to stay comfortable and pain-free after years of knitting? Here ..read more

To get good at knitting means feeling comfortable while you do the stitches. As with most skills and hobbies, getting good at knitting requires that uncomfortable and steep learning experience. That mental and physical discomfort is a natural part of learning. Aside from being comfortable while knitting (i.e. you progress quickly and continually), a reasonable skill level also requires reasonably good results. This means the stitches are roughly of the same size and the scarf or beanie you made is something you can display or be proud of. It takes some time to produce decent results but wit ..read more

Yarns have shaped history and greatly influenced human living for thousands of years. The oldest artefacts found made with yarn (just similar to modern yarn we see today) date up to 20,000 years ago (some estimates that it’s just 7,000 years ago). Yarns have been comprised of interlocked fibres (whether plant or animal fibres) and both the protein-derived fibres and that interlocking have provided yarns their strength and usefulness. Yarn’s usefulness for fabric and clothing has influenced the course of history of plants, animals, humans and societies. For instance, the fast and large-scale ..read more

Perhaps it’s about the sense of accomplishment or the feeling of being productive each minute. Many say that it’s therapeutic because knitting improves focus on the present. Doing something productive with our own hands has always been good for our mental health. Knitting is also a good chance to slow down and forget fast-paced living. We’re all used to hustling and rushing everything especially if we’re born, raised and worked in the city. With knitting, we can slow down even just for a bit and realise that life isn’t just about speed. What do you like about knitting? Whichever is the case, k ..read more

There are just those times when you want to stop and take a break from knitting and everything. Perhaps you experience burnout (because of work and responsibilities) or you’re just looking for something fresh. It can also be the case when you feel like you’ve hit a plateau and no matter how hard you try as a beginner progress seems far off. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced knitter, everyone deserves a break. Perhaps a week or two is already enough to recharge and renew your enthusiasm on knitting. Remember, it’s perfectly fine to take a break because you can come back to knitting an ..read more

It’s almost the second half of the year and time flies fast. Right now you want to catch up and get busy for the rest of the year filling your portfolio with amazing knitted creations. Good thing is we’ve gathered some awesome ideas and inspirations for you. Let’s start. 1. A small soft toy with overalls Have you tried knitting a small soft toy? If not, then this should be the first project on your list. If yes was your answer it’s still a good thing because you can finish a few of this kind of project within a week. It’s a simple kind of project that can build your momentum for the rest of th ..read more