Have you heard of the Maker Movement?  It is a more recent name for the ancient thing that humans have always done – make things.

When Covid-19 changed my work, working out and social routines, I honestly had some stress.   I went to my favorite stress reliever – knitting.

Hooked on Knitting

My mother taught me to knit when I was eight years old. And I’ve been hooked ever since. Because you have to keep count and do variations of “knit one purl two” it takes my mind off what’s going on in the world.  And so, for me, it is very relaxing.

By last count I had knitted 72 dish cloths. I had lots of odds and ends of yarn left over from the larger projects I have made so I starting knitting “pandemic potholders”.  I make these to be functional.  They work well and are a great way to avoid wasting scraps.

Other projects I knit are both functional and fancy.  Mostly everything I make I give away. An exception is an afghan that I made for myself. I’m always telling myself the next project will be something for me but more often than not, it ends up being a baby gift, wedding shower, housewarming.  In a way though, giving to others gives a gift back to me.  That is the joy of making and giving.

Be a Maker

You can be a maker too.  If knitting is not your thing, then choose any DIY (do it yourself) activity that is.  There are many resources on the Internet.  Check out Make Magazine.  Take a look at Etsy – the online shop for amazing handmade arts and crafted items. Join the other 335 million people on Pinterest and get inspired.

 

Written (and knitted together) by: Kathy Molyneaux, Friends Life Care