Knitting is an exercise for the brain and nourishment for the soul. As you get started on knitting, you will realize that it is no ordinary activity; it is a meaningful task that brings sanity.
Eventually, your journey towards becoming a knitting expert with several years of experience and distinguished mechanical skills will teach you a plethora of lessons–mostly, ones that you can relate to life. Each season that you will go through will give you momentous learning that you will cherish and hold on to forever.
You see, knitting isn’t just about putting your hands and fingers into motion or creating interlaced yarns. It will lead you to a place of awakening, cognizance, and understanding. Your mind, body, and soul all benefit from knitting.
If you are an average knitter or an expert one, you can attest to this.
Pool of Learnings
Hence, we have listed some of the best life lessons that you will ever learn from knitting. Bet you will agree to each one of them!
Life Lesson #1: Do more than plan.
Most knitters will relate to this. Sometimes, you spend hours and hours just trying to find a design that’s perfect for your taste. And before you realize it, you no longer have enough time to knit. The thing is, sometimes people tend to over plan, keeping lots of to-do lists on their planners or digital notepads, but never really accomplishing anything at all.
As soon as you realize that you are low-key being unproductive doing all the planning but not the execution, you will then know what’s the right thing to do. Don’t let perfection kill your efficiency. You have to get in the game! Do more. Create more. After all, individual productivity is best measured by the ratio of output to input.
Life Lesson #2: Take everything slowly.
Patience is a virtue–this remains golden and true from generation to generation. Every beautiful thing takes its time and is worth the wait!
When knitting, sometimes crafters get impatient. They ache to see the result of their labor right away. We are all guilty of that, you have to admit. But when you try to slow down and do things with careful thought and modesty, you will see how exquisite your creations can become.
You will see how all things will work together for your own good. Always remember, slow progress is still progress!
Life Lesson #3: Mistakes are inevitable.
You will make mistakes and that’s okay. You’re perfectly fine and normal. Everybody goes through mistakes. You can’t have perfection overnight. No, getting it right the first time is one in a million.
Embracing your flaws and errors is a great way to heal. Accept that downfalls are an essential part of the journey and without them, you wouldn’t be complete. They make you stronger and bolder. They make you tough and resilient. They are there for a reason. Turn them to your advantage!
Life Lesson #4: Keep learning new things.
This life lesson makes one prosperous and successful. If you think you already know enough, there will no longer be room for growth. You’ll be on a plateau. You’ll stay proud and stagnant.
On the other hand, if you think you will miss out on the greater things if you don’t get to learn or work, you will surely progress. In knitting, there is quite an endless road of learning. Once you stop, you lose. But when you continue traversing, unfazed by risks and mistakes, you will find yourself encountering a lot of opportunities. Just like how we do, when we face life with our heads held high.
Life Lesson #5: Solitude and social connection are both essential.
There is a time for everything. A time to be alone, and a time to be with people. Figure out what you need at a specific moment. Will you work more effectively when you’re alone, or when you’re with some companions? Worry not, these two are necessary for your knitting venture. It’s the same thing with walking through life.
There will be times when you need to be on your own–that will make you independent and strong. But undeniably, no man is an island. You will need friends and your family along the way. Fortunately, they are present and always willing to help and support you. What a gift!
Conclusion
It’s amazing how productive and meaningful your time for knitting can be. It is not a tedious task, it is a time to get your hands to work while you reflect and see the beauty of life. Even when you’re using a knitting machine, it’s still a good time to be creative and meditative at the same time. It’s both a great time with yourself or with some knitting buddies. You can try to initiate a conversation or discussion with them and share your thoughts, learnings, and reflections. You will enjoy the exchange of ideas!