Please Tell Me – Why Knit
Is it just me or does this question get to everyone here. I’ve been asked this question so many times by “non-knitters” I decided that I would make a video with other knitters (any – loom, crochet, needles, weavers ) answering this question in their own words. You can post them in the comment section and if you could share pictures or short video clips to go with your answers – even better. Those you can email me at denise@loomahat.com Please let me know if I can share your response.
SOOOOoooooooo… WHY DO YOU KNIT WHEN YOU CAN BUY?
This may seem like a silly question – but I don’t see it that way…
Why Knit can be Serious
For some people this question is casual like why the new hair cut or why McDonalds instead of Burger King or funny like maybe you should make your own hats because you have a big head but for others this hits home and deeply. Whether your reason is funny or life changing – let’s hear it. We never know what impact our words will have on others.
A friend suggested round looming after my kidney’s failed and I was bored stiff while on dialysis. I taught myself the stitches and patterns and loved the outcome. I am now with a group that meets at the library to loom hats for charity. We provide baby hats for the hospital, adult hats for the annual coat drive and the library sells the best projects at Christmas to fund raise money for the homeless shelter. We share patterns and techniques and have formed a wonderful, supportive group. I would encourage anyone to at least try a looming project, just for fun. You might find joy in starting a group like we did at the library to better the world one hat at a time!
I am so glad I found your YouTube videos. I am handicapped and crochet and now loom knitting is my way to stay busy, relax and create awesome gifts for other people. Why loom? Because it adds another dimension to my life and to other lives. It lets me know that their is something of value that I can do. I no longer fret over what I cannot do. I am thankful to God everyday for what I can do. Thank you so much for your videos and website. They mean a lot to me.
Thank you Sandra, for sharing. Your comments mean a lot to me. I thank God for nice folks like you that take from your precious time to bless me.
Hugs,
denise
Denise, I am interested in making a hat for the summer. Something light. Have you made any before?
Hi Sandra, I made one using the Three step stitch. 11 rows of the Rib stitch for the brim – then 7 – 8 rows of the Three step stitch – 3 rows of Knit2, Purl2 . Close the hat.
For the Three step stitch – Click HERE
This lady, along with others, has found one of the secrets of ageing. We were young once, and beautiful. Now we are not, but we are different, and in our own way, still beautiful. Accepting the changes and limitations of the present and future, and not pining for the past.
Good Morning..I am about to blow..I am makeing a baby blanket on the martha stewarts long loom,which is from 1 peg to the other 1/2 apart..I need to work 2 different stitches because there is a Oel on the pattern…I was useing the U Wrap Stitch & the E wrap stitch…I would like to know of 2 stitches that can go with each other and not make the blanket stiff,which thats what the U wrap & ewrap did,so i had to 5ake it apart..Thank you very much and i will send the pattern
Do you have a link to the pattern or a picture?
I knit because I’m truly good at it and it’s relaxing and calming. I taught myself how to knit before I had my children. My first project was a pair of socks. Then around the time I was pregnant with my first child many of my friends & work colleagues were all having babies so, I made each & every one of them something for their babies. Over the years I bought sets of knitting needles, crochet hooks & a knitting machine. I’ve made everything from socks, sweater, dresses for my children, winter jackets & a long maxi full length coat & I’ve sold many a sweater – one of a kind pieces that I designed.
Then 3 years ago I had a house fire and lost almost everything – including many of the first pieces I made for my children. We were out of our house for 7 months & before we could get back into the house my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. We have since lost her. I slipped into a depression & didn’t do any crafts.
In the hopes of one day recovering my needles and hooks, I bought some looms & discovered LoomAHat.
I had a new great niece a year ago so, I made her a cocoon & hat, & a matching hat for her big brother who was then 2 years old. It was the first project I had completed since pre-fire. He was so appreciative & excited it brought me back to life. I’m now back to being me.
Last Christmas I loomed them a dragon, a panda, & Mickey & Minnie hats to match. He was thrilled. I had no idea he loved Mickey Mouse just knew his favorite colour is red. I also made hats & headbands all around (daughters, husband, nieces & all). Every item a labour of love.
I’m now back to knitting, & crochet & I’ve now added looming to my skills. In time I’ll revisit cross stitch & sewing.
I can’t thank LoomAHat enough. I always thought looming was for kids. Looming has been therapeutic & likely saved my sanity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
I’m now looking for a way to pay this forward.
Jacinta, You’ve already started paying forward by sharing your story – Thanks for letting me know I have been a part of your journey.
Many Hugs Sister,
denise
Denise, I made my great nephew and niece Mickey & Minnie hats at Christmas time and they love them. They live in these hats. They have a baby sister due next month. I’d like to make her a hat that goes with the theme. Any suggestions?
Hi Jacinta.. I wouldn’t recommend this pattern for a newborn for sooooo many reasons I don’t even know where to start. Simple is good: Click HERE
Do you have a video for making socks with a loom? I want to learn how.
Not yet Barb,
But THANKS for asking – here is my favorite from Pam Loomer : Click HERE
I loom knit because I have not been very successful with the needles. I loom knit for many reasons. My husband likes things colorful including his hats and scarves so I make them for him in the colors he picks out. Being creative helps the brain to work and function better. I am teaching my grandson how to loom knit right now which is a challenge because he has the attention span of 2 seconds or so it seems, that is until he picks up his loom and starts working on his hat. I also find it to be very therapeutic and relaxing.
And thank you, Denise for the great videos.
Thank YOU Dee for sharing your story – teaching is very rewarding – teaching our own children is beyond words. Share some pictures when the young man is done with his looming project. Would love to see it. !
Hugs, Denise
You can knit with one Han
You can see the progress
You can take your time
You can enjoy rhe process
Back in November, my sister shared with me that her friend had breast cancer and would be undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. The cost of treatment and drugs were going to put her finances in a serious state. And besides her husband, she didn’t have any other family in the area. I told my sister that I would love to knit her friend a prayer shawl.
This is by far the biggest project I’ve ever attempted yet without a doubt the most rewarding. It has taken me four months, but I’m finally finished. Every single stitch was made with love and prayers for someone I’ve never met! I’ll be taking the shawl with me to Mass this weekend to have it blessed then it will go straight to my sister’s friend. Now, during good times as well as bad, she will have a way to wrap herself up, knowing she is loved.
This is why I knit.
Beautiful ! Tangible love what a blessing to the one who give and the one who receives. Thanks for sharing this Shannon. You are a blessing.
Hugs Sister,
denise
I can’t think of a better way to answer the question Why Knit?
I learned how to crochet when I was years old from my great aunt. Then my mother taught me how to knit. I like to loom knit also and want to learn more about it. Why do I knit?
It is therapeutic and relaxing….releases stress and puts your mind at ease. 12 months ago, my youngest daughter passed away very suddenly. We were best friends and would knit and crochet together and share patterns. At first I coudn’t and didn’t want to do anything anymore.Then little by little I picked up my hook, or needles, or looms. I rejoined my yarn clubs to be around women who love to knit, crochet, loom. If it wasn’t for this, I am afraid I would have sunk deeper into a state of depression over missing and grieving my precious daughter. It has been very therapeutic for me.
Dorothy, thank you so much for taking the time to tells us your story. I so appreciate it. I’m glad that LoomaHat could be part of your healing process. You are teaching others that when we’re in pain we can walk take steps towards a place of peace.
Big Hugs,
denise
i had a stroke also in 2010 looming brought back my love for yarn crafts
knitting calms me i find it very relaxting love loom a hat with video instruction easy tutorials
THnkyou LOOM A HAT I HAD A STROKE WHICH LEFT ONE ARM PARALYZED LOOMING HAS BECOME A SAVING GRACE.
Maureen THANK YOU for taking the time to let me know that I have somehow been able to help.
Big Hugs,
denise
I knit because… at age 85 it keeps me out of mischief….
Seriously, I get tremendous satisfaction watching my current project grow into something useful. It is very calming as well as productive. I have been knitting since I was a child.
Ms. DeeDee you are SUPER CUTE !!!
Why do I knit? crochet? Loom knit? because it makes me happy to make things for people. My family knows the love I put into the items I make and I always feel accomplished when I complete a project, and I love learning new things so I am always learning new patterns and stitches. The real question is if you are not Knitting why not?
Why Knot???
That last one was really cute — and clever! Why knot, indeed.
I started knit-loom projects in the mid-December 2014. My friend at work has inspired me. At first, It feels like I couldn’t finish a thing, I was doing it so slow I told my husband : “I don’t think I can do this.” When I finished my very first project (was Seahawks hat for my son), I was excited I posted it on the Facebook. I got raves from friends and families (as far as from abroad) they started ordering hats and matching scarfs! It’s been two months I’ve been doing this on a part time (I work full time) basis. It calms me down on my busy day, just sit on one place during my break time, focus on my project quarter or half time makes me relax and ready to continue my day job. I LOVE KNITTING!
Why Knit. I like to Knit and make things that my family loves. I tried to do other things but knitting is something that i picked up on easy. So I say why not knitt. My sister uses a crochet hook. and makes alot of nice things. so I figure i will knitt and make a lot of nice things algo.
I am a hyper person so I love to knit because it calms me down. I try to knit a little every evening instead of watching tv. I am new to loom knitting and I love making scarves and hats for my family. It brings me great joy to see their faces light up when I give them a new item. It is much more rewarding to create something rather than buy it. Thank you for teaching me how to loom knit Denise!
You know, I get people often that tell me you go buy that,,, well yes, BUT, I so enjoy doing it.. For me, it is a calming factor. & I enjoy giving my work away, and to see Their faces,, & this does gives me such pleasure in doing this. I will get those that can be very negative w/ this or that… . But for them I feel sadness, when it is a GIFT given w/ love. For those I have found they do not understand the true meaning if a Handmade Gift. And I thank God for the beautiful people on this site. So Thank You for Being There .. ! <3
Dear Carolyn,
First, the question “Why knit?” gave me a jolt. My hairdresser, a talented painter, asked me that question once with a somewhat disgusted look on his face. I stammered a bit and explained that it helped me out when I quit smoking. Knitting did do that, but so much more! However, your answer really struck a chord with me. One of my first projects was a baby blanket for my first granddaughter – cables, bobbles, fans, etc. I was really proud of it, but my stepdaughter was absolutely non-plussed. I basically quit knitting for a while, thinking that nobody would appreciate the (at times) very frustrating, but ultimately gratifying experience of creating something that is useful and beautiful. I’ve picked it back up, though. I just finished a wash cloth for my beautiful husband. So simple, and he likes it so much he’s afraid to use it! Too funny. Anyway, even though my stepdaughter really ticked me off (by the way, she’s never thanked me for any store-bought items I’ve given her, either), I’ll try with other family members and start donating! I’m also really excited to start using my looms!! Lesson learned from these comments: there are THOUSANDS of reasons to knit! All the projects running through my brain can attest to that….Many thanks to everyone in the knitting/crochet world who are so giving with patterns, knowledge, encouragement, graciousness, and help. Have a blessed day!!
Dear Betsy ,
I was reading your story about your stepdaughter and I thought how dare the stepdaughter act that way. The blanket sounds beautiful. I am sure your blankets and other items that you make will be well received by other people. I find this to be especially true for the people that need such items. God bless.
I recently began knitting again due to the fact that my health is such that it demands more “sit” time. I love reading, but not for hours at a time. I enjoy some TV but there is so little worth watching that it leaves idle hours. I began knitting years ago when my children were babies/rug rats, also resulting in idle hours at home.
I find that knitting renders a feeling of accomplishment; it is creation of a kind and can be fulfilling. I also enjoy making lovely items for friends and family that are truly one of a kind and can be personalized to each person’s likes and dislikes. I made a white, fluffy evening wrap for my sophisticated daughter’s Christmas gift, and she loves it. When I told my neighbor that I was ready to start knitting she told me she did not need any pot holders or shawls so to leave her out. Since then she has requested two kitchen washcloths and now is in love with a ruffled boa I am making in “her” colors.
So do not subscribe to the notion that knitting is for old maids or grandmothers (although I am one) and can only deliver boring socks, shawls and hats. Like any other art form, you make it what you wish.
I knit because in a medical program, they said that aspiring surgeons practice their steadiness through knitting. So, it’s to have a jump start on my aspirations as well. Oh yeah, I also enjoy the looks on my friends and family’s faces when they receive my finished project that I’ve been working on for many weeks to months.
I loom knit because it is fun to learn how to do new things. People are surprised when they find out I made the hat or the socks or the kitchen hot pads or coasters. One year we gave all my relatives hats and scarves sets. They were thrilled. But I really enjoyed learning how to do it and continue using new stich combinations.
I knit and craft because I enjoy the feeling of achievement that I created something with my own hands.
I loom knit because I enjoy it. I’m chronically ill. I’m unable to have a job. I spend a great deal of time at home. Loom knitting gives me a sense of accomplishment. There’s love in every stitch I knit. A store bought knitted item doesn’t have the love in it. I made Charity Windham’s “10 Stitch Twist”, as a baby blanket for the newborn daughter of a friend of mine. It was a true labor of love. It took me 3 months. Was 10 rounds, with 8,502 rows, and it measured about 33″ across.