The Knit Fairy

You don't know how to knit!? Do you want to learn? I've been knitting since I was five years old; taught by my grandma, on my mother's side. She had the patience of a saint. Imagine trying to keep a 5-year old still, and interested.

Why do I love to knit? It takes so long, sooo longggg, to make anything worthwhile, you'd say. But if you can hang on for just a quick minute, I'll tell you.

I love the feel of the yarn in my hands. For me, it's as familiar as holding my fingers under running water. Every skein has a distinct feel, or texture -- some are soft, some scratchy, some furry, some nondescript. And skeins come in all the different colors of the rainbow! If you can dream of a color, it exists in a yarn. Even all of your favorite colors can be blended together and probably already exist somewhere in a yarn ball, resting in someone's yarn basket, or on a shelf, somewhere on earth. (The earth, by the way, is shaped like a giant ball of yarn.)

So let's get right down to it. I pick up my needles, which since the beginning of time have been fashioned in a variety of sizes and materials: think metal, bamboo, titanium, plastic, wood, or ivory, just to name a few. Some people even collect these and some are worth a financial fortune. Mine have great value in that they are not only the tools of my trade, but complimentary extensions of my own body. Holding knitting needles in my hand comes as naturally as holding a paintbrush was to Van Gogh, or piano keys to Mozart.

I've just cast on 15 stitches. Should I make a scarf? Or should I go a bit further, say 80 stitches, and make a sweater? Or shall I go all out, 200 plus stitches, for a giant afghan to cover the bed? I've done it all. Hats and socks and baby outfits and dolls. I even helped to pay for my own wedding, years and years ago, by making dozens of hand-knit sweaters for a popular mail order company. One year each one of my family members received a sweater in their favorite color.

I've made all manner of apparel and accessories for charity! Donations for hospitals, soldiers, homeless, activist organizations, schools, churches, and even sports teams. And if you've ever been a treasured friend or client of mine, you've undoubtedly been a recipient of some surprise hand-knit trinket. There's nothing more satisfying than giving something away that has your heart and soul locked inside of it.

Not sold in stores! Almost every knit item I've ever designed -- and I'm guessing there have been close to one thousand -- has been unique, and has been donated or gifted or sold independently. No two people have ever received the same exact thing!

I can knit anywhere - and I have! In cars, on planes, trains, at my desk, standing in a long line, or laying in a bed. Today, I long for comfort, and my favorite spot to knit is a low-slung sofa, with the cat pressed next to me, pawing at the needles and strands, trying to assist.

My habit has cost me a lot of money over the years, I couldn't even imagine how to add up all the expense! Yarn, patterns, needles, special furniture, baskets, gift bags, apparel tags, magnifying lamps, and more yarn, the list goes on. And whenever I see a pretty skein on sale, I buy it and stash it away. Without this passion, I'd certainly have a lot more money in the bank. But knowing that one day, something as insignificant as a stray ball of yarn could be transformed into a wonderful treasure that will make someone smile again and again? For me, that is priceless.

Remember my grandma's patience? Knitting has taught me how to breathe, and how to relax, and I've been able to de-stress my way through any number of life's challenges. Just by counting to the end of one more row, finishing up that last skein, or wrapping and delivering one more gift project, this is how I know everything else in my life is going to be okay.

I've had a good life so far, and as long as I can I'll continue to knit, and purl, and count, design, and repeat. I love the sound of the needles, watching patterns unfold, and the rhythmic mastery of it all -- it's something I can control in the midst of a chaotic world. And I'm thankful.

Someone once gave me the nickname "The Knit Fairy" because I often make and gift hand-knitted items at random to unsuspecting beneficiaries. Maybe you'll be next! Or maybe you'll pick up your own needles and make something yourself. If more of us could learn to knit, or how to give unconditionally, or how to practice patience? What a wonderful thought.

I'll be casting off now.