By Thai Rushbrook
To knit is to make a garment or other item by interlocking loops of wool or other yarn with knitting needles or on a machine. It’s a relaxing and productive hobby, but there can be some difficulties (and I’m not just talking about dropping a stitch)...
To knit is to make a garment or other item by interlocking loops of wool or other yarn with knitting needles or on a machine. It’s a relaxing and productive hobby, but there can be some difficulties (and I’m not just talking about dropping a stitch)...
Procrastination in scarf form
Knitting might feel productive, but is it more productive than starting that essay you’re supposed to be writing? The temptation to do ‘just one more row’ over ‘just one more sentence’ can be a real set-back, especially when you’re starting a shiny new project.
Keeping your knitting away from your study space might seem inconvenient, but you will be less likely to pick it up if it’s far away from you. It is also a good idea to work out roughly how long every day you should knit for if you want to get your project done by a deadline, as then you don’t have to worry about doing those extra stitches right now. Timetables are your friend if you suffer from any kind of procrastination or poor time management.
Although it’s a bad idea to avoid your responsibilities with knitting, this hobby can be relaxing so it’s okay to take a break sometimes and get a few stitches done before you carry on with the hard work.
Avoid the call of the ball
Good yarn is hard to come by, so when you see a super-soft wool or a gorgeous colour it can be hard to resist. To minimise the amount you spend on expensive yarns, remember you can order yarn in large bulks to save money, or just buy what you need for a project. Either of these approaches will work to keep your yarn stash sensible.
Cats.
Cats are wonderful little balls of fluff, but they gravitate towards other balls of fluff which is a real problem when knitting. Your cat can’t tell the difference between your half-finished water bottle cover and a shiny new toy, but there are measures you can take to convince your kitty to play elsewhere. Keep your yarn in plastic containers to avoid a cat in the stash, and a yarn toy is a good way to persuade your cat to play away from your knitting. You can buy cat toys from most pet stores or put your knitting skills to good use and make one of your own! As you’re working on your project, you can keep the yarn in a zipped project bag that’s a little open. The yarn will feed through the little gap in the zip.
Remember that if your cat gets hold of any loose yarn, they could swallow it and do damage to themselves.
Commitment issues
New projects are fun… for a while. When embarking on the journey of a big project it can be hard to see it through to the end, but with some simple tips you can improve your resilience and keep knitting on. As with procrastination, keeping a timetable and setting yourself a deadline for a project gives you something to work towards. Knitting is also something that can be done while you’re watching TV or talking to family, so it shouldn’t be a chore. If you find you’re not enjoying your project, try smaller projects until you build up your resilience. Knitting for a cause will also give you motivation.
Battle wounds
Knitting injuries (usually repetitive stress injuries or RSI) are caused by the constant motion of making stitches. Set a timer to give yourself a break every 30 minutes, and use a circular needle for heavy projects. The circular needle or some large needles will help with the weight of your project and give your wrists some relief. Sitting up straight is always a good idea to avoid RSI.
If you think you may have injured yourself (symptoms include numbness, pain, stiffness, swelling, or discomfort that happens when you knit that might not happen at other times) you can see a doctor. Remember to rest for a while and take a break from your craft while using ice to soothe the injury.
Remember…
Despite its difficulties, knitting is a good way to unwind. Just keep calm and carry yarn.
Knitting might feel productive, but is it more productive than starting that essay you’re supposed to be writing? The temptation to do ‘just one more row’ over ‘just one more sentence’ can be a real set-back, especially when you’re starting a shiny new project.
Keeping your knitting away from your study space might seem inconvenient, but you will be less likely to pick it up if it’s far away from you. It is also a good idea to work out roughly how long every day you should knit for if you want to get your project done by a deadline, as then you don’t have to worry about doing those extra stitches right now. Timetables are your friend if you suffer from any kind of procrastination or poor time management.
Although it’s a bad idea to avoid your responsibilities with knitting, this hobby can be relaxing so it’s okay to take a break sometimes and get a few stitches done before you carry on with the hard work.
Avoid the call of the ball
Good yarn is hard to come by, so when you see a super-soft wool or a gorgeous colour it can be hard to resist. To minimise the amount you spend on expensive yarns, remember you can order yarn in large bulks to save money, or just buy what you need for a project. Either of these approaches will work to keep your yarn stash sensible.
Cats.
Cats are wonderful little balls of fluff, but they gravitate towards other balls of fluff which is a real problem when knitting. Your cat can’t tell the difference between your half-finished water bottle cover and a shiny new toy, but there are measures you can take to convince your kitty to play elsewhere. Keep your yarn in plastic containers to avoid a cat in the stash, and a yarn toy is a good way to persuade your cat to play away from your knitting. You can buy cat toys from most pet stores or put your knitting skills to good use and make one of your own! As you’re working on your project, you can keep the yarn in a zipped project bag that’s a little open. The yarn will feed through the little gap in the zip.
Remember that if your cat gets hold of any loose yarn, they could swallow it and do damage to themselves.
Commitment issues
New projects are fun… for a while. When embarking on the journey of a big project it can be hard to see it through to the end, but with some simple tips you can improve your resilience and keep knitting on. As with procrastination, keeping a timetable and setting yourself a deadline for a project gives you something to work towards. Knitting is also something that can be done while you’re watching TV or talking to family, so it shouldn’t be a chore. If you find you’re not enjoying your project, try smaller projects until you build up your resilience. Knitting for a cause will also give you motivation.
Battle wounds
Knitting injuries (usually repetitive stress injuries or RSI) are caused by the constant motion of making stitches. Set a timer to give yourself a break every 30 minutes, and use a circular needle for heavy projects. The circular needle or some large needles will help with the weight of your project and give your wrists some relief. Sitting up straight is always a good idea to avoid RSI.
If you think you may have injured yourself (symptoms include numbness, pain, stiffness, swelling, or discomfort that happens when you knit that might not happen at other times) you can see a doctor. Remember to rest for a while and take a break from your craft while using ice to soothe the injury.
Remember…
Despite its difficulties, knitting is a good way to unwind. Just keep calm and carry yarn.