You may recall way back when I did a post about everything I learned in life I learned from knitting. Well, as promised from that original post, here are some more of life’s lessons that I have learned from knitting. If you missed the first post, you’ll find it here – LIFE LESSONS PART 1. As for this edition, well, the updated lessons are below …
1. There is often more than one way to do something – This one is very appropriate, especially after we have just finished our first sock KAL. You’ll know that you can knit socks from the cuff down, or the toe up, with a round toe or wedge (or none at all), and way too many varieties to count. This is true with most things in knitting – cast on, cast off, knitting, making sweaters, etc. Well, life is much the same. So the next time you’re in a situation and you think (or someone else thinks) there’s only one way to do something, give them a set of needles and ask them to make you a sock. It just might get them thinking about alternatives.
2. Sometimes you need to take a break – Now if you’ve been knitting for a while you’ll know exactly what I mean. Sometimes you’re so anxious to get to the end of something you rush it and forgo everything else to get it done. Then your home, kids, partner, job, etc all get neglected. Okay, maybe it’s not that bad, but you know what I mean. So before your health begins to suffer and you start resenting the task you’re doing, take a break and come back to it later. Do something else. Remember the point in the other post – Variety is the spice of life. When you return to your knitting – or other task – you’ll still have the same desire to see it done, but you’ll have done something else along the way.
3. Substitutions can be great. There’s nothing wrong with going with the status quo for most things, but sometimes you need to make a statement of individuality and make a change. Most patterns in knitting allow for substitutions and sometimes in life there’s room for this as well. Next time you get the chance, try something different and see what happens!
4. There are more than 8 colors in a rainbow – you just have to look carefully. Actually, you just have to look. You’ll see what I mean
5. All that glitters is not gold – or just because it’s soft doesn’t mean it’s Cashmere.
6. Multiple colors can highlight each other! Have you ever seen an ugly interracial baby or child? Neither have I. It seems that when you combine two races they take the best of both to produce something new and unique. Same with multicolored yarns it seems. They always seem to blend in such a way as to highlight the best of all the colors. Mix it up and mingle – you’ll be surprised at what you create.
7. Hugs aren’t always given with arms. Sometimes sending someone a card or letter with warm words (even if they just live across the street) is as good as giving a hand knitted piece or a hue hug!
8. It’s not just how you start, it’s also how you finish. Actually, sometimes it’s even more important to finish at all! This is one lesson that we all end up learning at some point in life.
9. It’s okay to be different. Ever see those eyelash yarns and think – hmmm, they look a little different. Then you touch them and realize how wonderful they are. Well, sometimes it’s the same in life. But don’t go touching anyone and telling them I said it was okay …
10. Slow and steady … Yeah, it’s great to be able to whip up a sweater in a day or two, but it’s perfectly fine to just pace yourself as well and make sure you actually finish it (see tip #8). Just as size matters, not all things should be done in a rush ;-).
Do you have any lessons you’ve learned from knitting? Let me know through your comments.
Hugzzz 😎