All the cool kids are doing it. And, yes, I do it, too.
In this case “it” is knitting, quilting and engaging in other crafty endeavours.
I’ve always been a crafty one, even way back in the 80s when it was distinctly “uncool” to make anything yourself.
I love all things fibre. I own three looms, and although it has yet to be assembled, a spinning wheel. I belong to two subscription box services that deliver new yarnie yumminess to me once a month. There’s a bin next to the couch overflowing with projects and yarn can be found all over the house. I just can’t get enough. It’s tactile; it’s a feast for my eyes and for my brain.
Recently, there has been a resurgence in the craft movement. I’m frequently asked if I can teach someone to knit, sew, quilt, etc. And because I’m such a big fan of anything involving yarn or fabric, I enthusiastically say ‘yes.’
Proof of the popularity of these types of pursuits is the social media website Ravelry. I like to describe it as Facebook for yarnie types. Ravelry currently has 4,989,749 members from all across the globe.
You can post photos of your most recent WIPs, (works in progress,) join a KAL, (a knit-a-long) or join a myriad of specialty groups on Ravelry.
There are groups for Canadian knitters, groups for people who own a certain breed of dog - also happen to knit- groups for your favourite LYS, (local yarn store), and groups for people who like a certain movie or television show – and also happen to knit.
The best thing about Ravelry is the sense of community that it promotes. If you’re struggling with a project, you can find help from someone who has knit or crocheted or woven that project before you. You might even be able to find the designer on the site and be able to ask them directly for help. And it’s all free – it doesn’t cost a thing to join Ravelry.
The growth of the virtual world has definitely been a boon to we crafty folk. I can chat online with someone from half way across the world about a common fibre obsession, get pointers from others about the best way to organize my increasingly bulging sewing studio, or boast about a recently finished WIP that turned out better than even I expected. I participate in swaps where I send someone a quilt block or a skein of yarn and get something back in return. I may never meet any of these people, but that’s OK. We are bound together by our love of the creative process.
Craft bloggers abound online. My bookmarks on my iPad attests to that. I follow blogs with the delightful names of Don’t Call Me Betsy, Freshly Pieced and Gnome Angel – all the blog homes for wonderful quilters. If I can’t remember how to do a certain crochet stitch, (because I crochet very infrequently,) it’s a quick trip to YouTube and I’m on my way.
And all those knitting patterns I’ve accumulated? There’s an app for that. Really. There is. It’s called KnitCompanion. And it’s awesome.
So why are people embracing what we used to think of as kind of nerdy activities? I think it’s because they are wonderful stress relievers, and once you get over the initial learning curve, being able to create something yourself is a gratifying accomplishment. We spend a great deal of our daily lives running around trying to keep pace with the world. Taking even half-an-hour to sit down with needles and yarn is a great way to relax both body and mind.
When I can’t sleep – I suffer from insomnia – I’ll often head to the couch with my knitting or to my sewing room to play with fabric. I may not even turn on my sewing machine but I’ll pull fabrics from my stash and figure out my next project. It soothes my soul and allows me to relax and put the night thoughts finally to bed.
