Easy Knitting Patterns

What is it about knitting (or crocheting) that appeals to so many crafters, and has for so many generations?

Sometimes, I guess, it’s just in our blood.  My dad’s mom was mostly into embroidery, especially pillow cases.  But she also loved to do fine crochet, such as lacy borders on hankies.  My mom’s mom was a professional seamstress, but she was known to knit a sweater now and then. 

My mom would sew clothes on occasion, but she was really a knitter.  At one point, she made herself about a half-dozen waist-length, lined jackets.  She wore them with simple, straight wool skirts and had a lovely wardrobe on a budget.  She knit everywhere—at home, on the bus, in the car—the needles were always clicking.  She eventually taught herself to crochet and did a sofa-sized afghan not long before she died at the young age of 39.

But just having it in my blood is not the whole explanation.  What is it that draws me to knitting (and sometimes crochet) over other choices?  Why do I prefer it to sewing, patchwork quilting, regular embroidery, crewel embroidery, cross-stitch, or needlepoint, all of which I’ve done in my time?  And why do I only do easy knitting patterns?

I think the key thing for me is that knitting lends itself to multi-tasking.  Even if I spend a few hours watching TV, as long as I’ve been knitting at the same time, I haven’t wasted my time.  While I’m on a long road trip, I can knit and not fall asleep on the driver.  (Although I did let my husband miss an exit once—I wasn’t looking up often enough!)  I’ve been known to knit in classes and meetings that would easily have put me asleep otherwise.  Some people may think knitting in public is rude, but falling asleep is rude-er.  It’s funny how knitting can keep me awake, but be relaxing at the same time.

I have to admit, when I’m on the road, I use easy knitting patterns I can keep in my head.  I like to pick patterns that are so easy I can pretty much do them on auto-pilot.  I don’t want to be bothered with row charts unless I’m at home with my chart and counter next to my chair.  Picking an auto-pilot pattern lets me give more attention to those around me.  That’s always a good thing.  And I don’t get bored with the easy patterns because I can change it up with different colors and yarns.

So multi-tasking really sums up the attraction of knitting for me.  Still, even if heritage isn’t the main reason I knit, it’s nice to think that my mom and both grandmas would be proud of me.

So why do you knit?  Let me know.

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