I find myself missing writing, or this type of writing anyway. There have been a couple of times over the last month where I caught myself composing posts in my head. So, why not compose them here, I guess? I’ve got the blog, might as well use it when the mood hits, although I stopped paying for the fancier subscription so photos will be few and far between. I did post this on Substack but that doesn’t feel like home yet, not like this does. Fun fact: apparently today is my blogiversary – I registered the blog 11 years ago!
I recently revisited an old journal in a fit of nostalgia and 25 years ago, when I was pregnant with my first child, I wrote that I wished I knew how to knit or crochet. I didn’t necessarily want to make something for the baby – I was just restless one night and nothing sounded appealing. I have no idea how or why knitting came to mind because nobody in my world was a knitter or crocheter.
I didn’t take the initiative to learn at that point. I wish I had. I think knitting would have helped my mental state a lot when I was struggling with motherhood, and with balancing motherhood with a job or marriage or just being my own person. I cycled through other hobbies – scrapbooking, jewelry making – but they didn’t stick. And they never had the same restorative, meditative qualities that knitting does. Maybe that’s why they didn’t stick?
When it comes to hobbies – and I even struggle to call it a hobby because it feels more important than that – knitting is The One for me. It completes me, soothes me, supports me, inspires me. I’ve been knitting for 12 years now and never gotten tired of it.
It’s given me a way to play with colors and patterns and textures in a tactile way. I’ve tried drawing and painting and those are not my talents. This, though, the pairing of yarn and pattern, this comes naturally to me, and the whole process brings me so much joy.
It’s given me an amazing community, a place where I feel accepted and encouraged. I love knitters so much. I love how so many of them have leaned into being truly, authentically themselves. Many of us knitters are weird, and I say that as a compliment because I love weird. I love being “weird” because it means accepting how I’m different – not just accepting but embracing. I have to thank the wild, powerful world of knitters for helping me gain that confidence
I love who I am now, and I think knitting has contributed so much to that. I wish young Bonny had had even a tiny bit of that 25 years ago.
bonnyknits 
I appreciate your opening your heart to your reader. I have been that knitter for over 40 years and you are right, has helped me through a myriad of life challenges. And, I have had a blog where the writing ebbs and flows. We are fortunate to have the skill to write and the knowledge that writing as well as knitting are both cathartic. Photos will likely be just as lovely here as on any website. Carry on!
Thank you! Yes, photos are lovely here but my storage is full and I don’t want to pay for an upgraded plan.
I have been a knitter for 16 years now, and I agree with your post about our weird niche craft and the people who knit.
Thank you! What would we do without it??
We’d be crankier.
Learning to knit and meeting the community of knitters has been the best experience of my life.
I love to hear it! 🙂
Hard agree on the weirdness of knitters. It’s one of my favourite things about us, too 😊
I’m so glad to see this post in my in-box. I’ve missed you, and I’ve thought about you many a time while knitting and catching up on my knitting blog reading or knitting videos. I always hoped things were going well with you and that you were still knitting. No need to feel pressure to post … I often let my blog sit for weeks (and lately, many months) at a time. But it’s nice to have a place to go to unload and share your craft with like minds. I’ll look forward to seeing what’s been on your needles!
Oh gosh, thank you! That’s lovely to hear! You made my day. 🙂
Beautifully said, Bonny! I’m so glad to see you back to writing 🙂 Knitting friends are the best friends!
They really are. Thank you, Marilee!
Your writing is so good, no pics are needed! Glad you are back.
Oh, you’re too kind. Thank you!
It’s good to see you back in the blogosphere, I’ve missed your writing and your knitting!
We yarners do seem to be a different breed. I wonder whether the yarn makes us this way or we’re drawn to it because we’re already like this.