Coffee and Knitting

Over the last few years there's been a revival in the art of knitting. An article I read today described it as it's third renaissance. I not sure how they arrived at this description. Knitting for my Mothers and Grandmothers generation and in my teens was a skill passed on from Mother to daughter. Or in my case Grandmother to Granddaughter. It wasn't a skill I latched onto as a kid. I preferred reading and painting then.

Leaving home and living in a Nurses Home as a 1960's Student Nurse painting had to be dropped. A hobby not suited to working a 44 hour weeks and spare time studying. So knitting became the relaxing pastime. Every magazine then had new knitting patterns and almost every street a wool shop. In the 1970's Knitting was declining and by the 1980's it was definitely out of favour. The wool shops all but disappeared.

A Crocheted bedspread aka 1978.

After knitting 11 sweaters one year mid 1970's I burnt out and couldn't pick up the needles any more. Eventually needles, crochet hooks  and patterns were relegated to a Charity shop. Sugar craft was my new sideline. During the 1980's and 1990's I took courses and did a City and Guild course in Sugarcraft and design. I instigated and became the Chairman of the Peterborough Branch of the British Sugarcraft Guild. We were a successful Guild winning competitions at National level. In my spare time between full-time work and looking after my family I make intricate wedding and celebratory cakes.

One of my many wedding cake creations.

Then in 2003 a visit from my 'surrogate' daughter from Canada and a visit with her to the Knitting and Stitching show at the Alexander Palace in London and I was reinstate back into the knitting community. The needles once more were clicking. Yarn and patterns searched for. My borrowed Canadian daughter and her Mom were delighted. we were all back knitting. Visits to Canada involved a lot of knitting and visits to yarn stores. Returning home to Britain with suitcases stuffed with delicious yarns.

The American have taken knitting to the next level with 'Bitch and Stitch' and 'Knit and Natter' groups.  It slowly became filtered across to the UK. The Internet helped with the American website Ravalery attracting members worldwide. Wool became Yarn and the American spinners and dyers created some wonderful yarns. We now have wonderful yarns from all over the world.

A Canadian Yarn store 2005.

 It's taken Britain a while to retrieve the love of Knitting but it's getting there. Yarn shops are on the increase and the online yarn providers do a roaring trade. The health aspect of knitting is becoming clear, with research finding a whole range of health benefits. From slowing the onset of dementia, reducing anxiety, lowering blood pressure, distracting from chronic pain and lowering depression.
Knitting has been a reaction from my own health problems. As arthritis progresses and I found painting and gardening difficult my knitting has once more become my obsession. My Great grand children are benefiting where unfortunately my grand children came along in my barren knitting years.

Little People Knits.

Now I'm knitting all sorts of garments. From lacy scarves and shawls, to gaily coloured socks, hats and hand warmers. Cardigans for me. Sweaters for the lads. Jackets cardigans and jumpers for the little people in my life. Knitting groups are not for me, I'm a solitary knitter, feet up with a mug of coffee and sometimes with the headphones and an audio book. Bliss.