Readers Respond: Reasons Why People Knit

Responses: 51

By Sarah E. White, About.com Guide

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I do it to relax --- lower my blood pressure and to challenge my creative side (creating my own patterns)
—Guest DeDe

I love to knit every spare moment. I knit all night and day. If I have to stop someday I will go crazy I think. I never keep my knitted items for myself.They go to family at Christmas and are donated the rest the year. I'm just a knitting addict. I am retired now and hope to do even more knitting to donate to needy people, as long as my arms hold out.
—Guest carol

I knit because of most of the reasons noted before me - keeps the hands busy, stops the snacking, got something wonderful when you're done, etc. It's also a wonderful way to keep learning! The first time a row of purls didn't feel like you had to labor over every stitch, every specialty stitch, unravelling the math formula for a pattern adjustment, conquering socks or cabling without a cable-needle, they're all milestones that bring a great sense of staisfaction, especially in those times when not much else seems to be going your way.
—Guest Mireille

There are many reasons as to why I love knitting but my main one is that I have a skill that has led to more that a hobby, it is a craft in the making. I have been married for a little over 5 years, my husband does all the cooking and has developed into an accomplished chef. He loves preparing and creating our meals nightly. I feel this way about my knitting. I was taught to knit and crochet as a young girl and have had the opportunity to resume this passion at this point in my life. I love working on each project, especially seeing how yarns and colors all mesh together. My speciality is accessories, items I have always purchased to spruce up my outfits and coats. I have also designed many pieces for friends and associates. My husband and I have established a very nuturing and creative enironment. He is as proud of my work as I am of his wonderful meals. I am the envy of all my friends for I have a cooked meal every night. In short, we work together well.
—Guest Karen Katz Shea

I do it for a job - it doesn't feel like work because I find it so therapeutic. It also gives me a sense of achievement I don't always get from raising three kids on my own. It is my answer to cease smoking, snacking and calms me - helps me to sleep.
—mandy670

I am very relaxed when knitting. I am a perfectionist and at first I would get all nerved up but with time I learned to relax and so now I knit in the evening to relax before bed -- it helps.
—Guest angeleyes58281

I knit to create garments that are unique to me and mine. I love taking interesting yarn and juggling with it.
—hazelhiorns

Tradition: My mom passed knitting and crocheting down to me. I pass it on to others--I teach a group that wants to learn--The group includes one married man. Knitting/crocheting has also helped me with my weight loss efforts: It has taken me 3 years to lose 14 pounds, but I have lost 14 pounds because I've had something else to do with my hands besides shoveling food down my throat!
—Guest wayfarer

When I had my stroke 3 years ago, I was initially paralyzed on my right side and was left with right-sided weakness. As a way to improve the strength and dexterity in my right hand, I took up knitting. It was a long slow process and lots of ripping out and repeating. What started as an exercise has now become a passion. I'm proud to say I have become at least an advanced begginer or intermediate knitter!
—Guest BonneyRabbit

It keeps me from becoming anxious. I stay relaxed. I like donating as a volunteer in knitting.
—Guest grace

It relaxes me, and it is one form a needlework I can see without a magnifier. And it doesn't need framing.
—Guest Irene

I find it relaxing and can watch TV while knitting, especially during the cold seasons. It gives me something to work on as well when I don't want to be outside in the cold weather.
—sboricic

Sarah E. White
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