It’s been the kind of week where I am taking solace in colour, squishy garter stitch and the therapeutic power of a good rootle through my stash.
I’ve written about the heartbreak of losing a beloved pet already so I’m not going to labour the point but I know that many of you have also felt a similar loss, and how heavy and low it can make you feel.
It’s been a weird week, in so many ways but I never fail to be amazed at the power of yarn and needles in helping us to get through challenging times. Elizabeth Zimmerman, as always said it best with her well known quote:
“Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit either.”
In her book ‘Knit for Health & Wellness’ Betsan Corkhill talks about a study carried out between Stitchlinks and Cardiff University which showed that there was a strong positive correlation between the more frequently people knit (defined as more than 3 times per week) and the happier they felt.
81% felt happier after knitting, 54% felt happy or very happy, fewer than 1% remained sad.
It’s true. Knitting really is good for you. So in that spirit I have had something of a one-woman cast on party.
So far this week I’ve cast on:
An Emotional Support chicken - don’t laugh. A friend sent me the pattern and it’s made me smile so much I can’t tell you. I had great fun rootling through my stash to find some suitably cheerful yarn for it. Here’s a Ravelry link in case you need an Emotional Support chicken in your life - hint - you do.
Another Fuss Free Festival Shawl - I’ve lost count of how many of these I’ve knit over the years. It’s a basic, asymmetric shape that can be varied in so many ways. I’ve done striped versions, two-skein versions, aran weight versions. So much fun.
If you’d like to knit one please just tap this button for a 20% discount on the pattern - just for this weekend.
A pair of self stripe socks - of course. No explanation needed here as to why these are the most therapeutic of knits.
A small garter stitch, striped baby cardigan. Because baby knits are the best form of cheerful instant gratification.
I also came across a few pieces of writing this week that really resonated with me and I wanted to share them with you too. Grab a coffee and a blanket and settle in for a bit of emotional support via the power of the written word.
Claire from
writes really compassionately about the transition from winter to spring and how we should all take it at our own pace.Lisa of
really captured my attention (and mirrored my mood) with this piece on celebrating Ostara and why you shouldn’t let hidden perfectionism get in the wayA spring-time walk in New York is far from my daily reality as I’m likely to get so I really enjoyed this piece by Jenna of
. Jenna writes beautifully and I defy you not to be swept up with her in her enthusiasm for daily life in her city.Sending you all good wishes for the coming weekend.
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Ah Louise, I’m honoured to be mentioned here, thank you. So glad that piece spoke to you this week. I’ve been pondering the seemingly healing powers of my current knitting project so I’m delighted for the mention of this book I hadn’t yet come across and hugely curious about the emotional support chicken (I’m off to look!). Sending love to your tender heart. Dear pets leave such a chasm. Go gently x
Thank you for the mention this week, Louise ❤️