Finding Purpose Through Craft

More Than Just Knitting

The older I get, the more time seems to have no relevance anymore. It just goes by so fast that it's hard to stay present. Yet somehow, picking up my knitting needles again helps me slow down and find my center in this chaotic world.

I'm thriving in middle age. At 50, things feel different - in a good way. My relationship with knitting has changed. Before my break, I was obsessed - dreaming of turning it into a business, designing patterns, and constantly pushing to learn more. And you know what happens when you put that kind of pressure on a hobby? It stops being fun. Now I'm back but with a different mindset. No rushing through projects, no pressure to make it more than what it is. I've accepted that I'm a slow knitter, and honestly? That feels just right. It's become this perfect excuse to slow down and find those peaceful moments in my day where I can just breathe and create.

Maybe this change in how I approach knitting is part of something bigger... This year is about refresh, reuse, and wearing out what we already have. Not just to save money but to start consuming more purposefully. Knitting has become part of this journey, a way to resist fast fashion and mindless consumption through creating something meaningful with my own hands.

The craft community feels different now, too. If knitting was just about knitting, that would be one thing. But it isn't just knitting - there's always an underlying belief nested in. In my corner of the crafting world, there will almost always be a subtle tone of environmentalism, empathy, civic responsibility, and acting for the public good. These values shape not just what we make but why we make it.

Looking ahead, I feel strongly that Yarn Over Needles can be something. Just because I don't know what yet is no reason to hold myself back. It's about building connections and shared values, learning new skills, and being open to new ideas. Soon, I'll be traveling to Ireland - a place where the air recharges me and the water replenishes my soul. I know I'm meant to go, to find inspiration in those green hills, perhaps connect with local makers and explore yarn shops.

Some days, my natural instinct is to bury my head in the sand, dive into knitting, and stop paying attention to the world's problems. But I'm learning that craft can be both escape and engagement - a way to stay present while also working toward something better. I can write. I can create beautiful things with yarn. I can open myself up to connect with a community of people who enjoy doing those same things.

I'm joining a collective of artists who use their craft to persist and push against cultural norms to protect the environment and the communities we live in. Everything is working out because it always has. I know I can be a part of it and flow with energy or push against it. I choose the path of least resistance - but that doesn't mean staying silent. It means finding purpose in the quiet moments, one stitch at a time.

Until next time, make mindfully, resist quietly, stay connected ...🧶