Knitting Through the Hard Times

Going through hard times is how I wound up in love with knitting. No matter how hard things got, I kept my heaZomied down and I knit. I could cry and my yarn didn’t have any questions. I could NOT want to talk to anyone and that was absolutely ok while knitting.

You see for me knitting was my/is my safe space. I get to face my fears without an audience AND I get to not be ok without having to explain. It’s unfortunate, but hard times come and go for each of us. I believe the way through is by finding your happy place. Knitting has always been an anchor for me. Yes I end up with some fabulous finished objects and I move closer to peace.

The last month..since I left Zombie Knitpocalypse my allergies were on hell. I have horrible post nasal drip and this is annual for me. This year OMGAWD it’s been horrible and nothing was helping me. I could hardly talk for coughing. The tears started falling faster than I could knit. It was then I knew I was in trouble. I needed to get ahead of the darkness that was threatening to drown me…so I knit.

Can you relate? Have you had a time where knitting was your salvation?

Hard Times
Floret Cardi by Annie Lupton

Have a Fabulous day on purpose

GG

40 thoughts on “Knitting Through the Hard Times”

  1. So feeling this today…thank you for sharing. After a brief dry spell, I have really gotten back into knitting the past few months. It helps me stay calm and keeps me focused, especially over the past week, which has felt completely out of control. Right now seems like a hard time for everyone, and I am so thankful for this craft and that I am fortunate enough to be able to pursue it.

  2. Rosemary Schroyer

    That’s been pretty much the past year and a half. I’m glad that knitting gives you solace. By the way, love your sweater!

    Rose

  3. I hear you GG. My hard times are here too and I am knitting. My peace is knitting and doing creative things like painting weaving and spinning. Thank you for understanding. I know my and your allergies will go away, but in the meantime all we can do is breathe and knit.
    Sue

  4. Oh yes, can I ever relate. I taught myself to knit 3-4 years before I had to have emergency brain surgery to remove a tumor. Hospital, 3.5 weeks after that and had to relearn a few things….but, I was amazed at how knitting wasn’t one of those things. Thank goodness it stayed in my wounded brain during all of that! It was my salvation then (2014) and is still my salvation now. More than ever. Oh boy, do I relate to what you’ve written here. I sure hope you get relief from those allergies soon! Thank you for writing this 🙂

  5. Your Floret Card is shi-shi gorgeous. Knitting has ‘saved’ me and many of my friends. Some of us (small groups) are now meeting in person at outdoor cafes and parks. Soooo nice to actually personally be with other knitters.

  6. I taught myself to knit when my mother and my sister were sick and heading for hospice…yes, both of them! And since that time picking up my needles has centered me and brought calm. The clicking of the needles, the feel of the fibers as they flow through my fingers and ultimately the fabric to wrap myself in has been a warm hug. I hope you are feeling better and finding peace in your process.

  7. I hear you, I too have used knitting to get me through some treacherous times. During my chemo treatments, each stitch was made with deliberation and prayer. I turned out some pretty crazy looking projects, as I was mostly in a fog for six months. Looking back, I realize that those same shawls & mitts are my badge of courage and I continue to wear them proudly. Often I didn’t know I had the fortitude to continue, but stitch after wonky stitch I saw my way back to health. I know things get better for you because you are the ray of sunshine many us enjoy. Just keep stitching and I will be praying for you to get this time in your rear view mirror asap. Best, Kat

  8. GG, Knitting has literally saved me, you aren’t alone. The last year my husband was alive he was in a hospital. I sat and knit and cried while he slept and it literally helped me to keep my sanity. Sending you hugs and love. You can do this.

  9. I learned to knit around the same time my parents began to need me to be more present in their daily life. As we navigated their last years together, knitting really got me through some difficult times. Not only was it important for me to have something to occupy my time and my mind, it gave me a creative outlet and I have met so many wonderful people through my knitting.

  10. I knit through my oldest son leaving for boot camp. And knitting is what gets me through every hard day at work right now. There are a lot of them. I knit through my kids being toddlers and my (now ex) husband being underway on his ship for weeks and months at a time. And I knit through Fibromyalgia pain every day. It gives my brain a way to stop chasing itself, so instead of falling down the rabbit hole of dark and anxious thoughts the yarn catches me and props me up just a little bit. Just enough.

  11. I was taught by my grandmother that our emotions go into everything we make. For this reason we resolve our anger before cooking for others, and we don’t knit grief or fear or rage into our gift knits. Our native community often take a full year off from basket weaving or bead work during mourning. That being said, I found myself in grief year after year. I have changed my mindset. I knit for myself, all the feeling, all the emotions. I am on my 7th sweater knit only for me. Every tear, every strong f’word muttered is there with me, along with the moments of joy, and adventure and new beginnings. I inherited my mother’s stash, she knit for every one except herself. I have changed that. “Self Knits” are my new tradition.

  12. I get you , GG. I started knitting to cope with my man having cancer. The treatments. Staying nights at the hospital knitting. When we finally were able to leave all of the nurses had hats and/or scarfs.
    I knit through the dark night in my soul. I knit when I was filled with joy. I still knit for all of the reasons life has been giving me lessons. It’s my safe spot. My sweet spot. It’s all of the things.
    BTW you look great. Thank you again for sharing yourself with us.

  13. Jill McGillicuddy

    Knitting is my safe place too. And physical therapy by keeping my fingers strong. And I think the rhythm of repetitive stitches is part of the magic for me too.

  14. Going through process of divorce and still living together for the time being. Knitting is keeping me partially sane.
    Why am I telling this to a stranger? Because you have shared and I find both your words and style comforting and inspiring.
    Thank you!

  15. I grew up in a family where you had to be doing something all the time (my dad). Knitting or other needlework was something, so that was an ‘okay’. Also fishing was ‘okay’ and I didn’t tell my dad until I was in my 30’s that as a child I fished on vacation because I knew he would let me sit and I could day dream, lol.

  16. I hope you find a solution to your allergies soon! Your love of knitting has been so inspiring to me. You have such a joyful spirit.

    I’ve been battling a life threatening illness for several years and, while thankfully I’m still here, I’ve been getting worse. Knitting was my saving grace before I got too sick to knit. Now I take comfort in my beautiful finished pieces and snuggle into their calming softness. I’m constantly dreaming of when I will be able to knit again and the comfort and joy that will bring.

  17. Yes… my knitting is something I can control. I say whether it’s OK, whether it’s done, whether it’s a successful project. A real gift in the midst of anxiety and uncertainty.

    Thank you for all you share.

  18. I carry my knitting everywhere. In the midst of being so busy knitting helps me stay calm and centered. Even if I only get to knit one row or even 5 stitches it brings me inner peace. I often sit in my car before going into work and knit and pray . Knitting… so good for the soul! You are in my prayers too. Sending love to you !

  19. I’m so sorry your allergies have been incredibly horrible. But like you, knitting gets me through. I find peace and can de-stress through knitting. I am more even in my moods at work because I knit. And, when my only child left for college 1500 miles away at 18 I knit through the change to a new life as an empty nester. I continue to knit to comfort me while he has been on two Deployments with the Navy. I don’t know where my head would be if I did not have knitting as my therapy. Sending love and warm hugs in the color orange.

  20. I lost my brother 2 weeks ago today and about the only place I find comfort is with my needles on my hand. Sometimes the tears flow as I’m knitting but I keep going. Thank you for all your blogs and words of encouragement. I love your Monday emails. I hope things get better for you real soon. You’re a gem💜💜💜

  21. I absolutely adore your personality and your” Orange Work” is phenomenal! My Grandmother taught me to knit at age five. So at 55years young. GOD, PRAYERS & KNITTING HAVE BROUGHT ME THROUGH THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF LIFE.

  22. Thank you for this! You reminded me of a terrible time, when my son had a serious illness and I wasn’t sure if he was going to make it. On the way home from the hospital one day, I stopped at a yarn store and bought yarn and a pattern to make a top. It brought me consistency in a world of chaos and uncertainty, it helped keep me going. I created a thing of beauty amidst the horrible reality I was facing.

    I wish you health – sending love and light.

  23. I feel you – knitting helped me get through the worst thing that could happen to a mom. I lost my son in August 2019 and I don’t know what I would have done without knitting to keep me going.
    Also, I just wanted to say that I get your emails, and every time I read them, a big smile comes to my face. You make my days brighter, and I just want to thank you, GG!

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