The L0T3K Magazine

Why Knitting is a Good Hobby

Everyone has an opinion on why their favorite hobby is the best. But for those who are looking for a new pastime, knitting may be just the ticket. There are some great reasons to give knitting a try.

Knitting is Easy to Learn

Anyone from young children to the elderly can learn to knit. You can have a knitting friend or family member teach you, get a book out of the library, or watch learn to knit tutorials online. Whatever learning style works best for you, there is a way to learn knitting.

Knitting only requires two basic stitches, knit and purl. Once you have mastered those, you can make anything you want. Cables, lace and color patterns are all variations on the simple knit and purl stitches.

Knitting can be Inexpensive

If you have extra spending money and a taste for fine materials like cashmere, you can spend a good deal on yarn, but even those with limited funds can afford to knit.

Yarn stores, craft stores and many department stores sell yarn. Often, huge balls of inexpensive acrylic yarn can be had for only a few dollars. If you like fine yarns but are on a tight budget, yarn stores often have discount bins where you can find unpopular colors or discontinued yarns for a cheap price.

Other than yarn, you don't need many supplies to get started knitting. A pair or two of inexpensive needles and you are ready to knit!

Knitting is a Portable Hobby

In addition to being able to find knitting supplies in many places, knitting can also go many places. My knitting has accompanied me in countless waiting rooms, meetings and even to the hospital when I had my children. Small knitting projects, like hats, scarfs and mittens are easy to tuck into a purse or backpack and take along wherever you go.

I generally take easy projects that don't require any counting or concentration when I'm knitting in public or while watching television, and save complicated cables for when my children are sleeping and I can give my knitting all of my focus.

Make Things for Yourself and Others

Nothing shows love in quite the same way as a handmade gift. People generally love knowing that a garment or accessory was made just for them. You can also make items exactly to your own specifications, which is one of my favorite things about knitting. For example, I love fingerless gloves. However, I'm fussy about just how I like them. I like neutral colors, washable yarn, and for gloves to be long in the arm and short on the hand. It's very difficult to find these type of gloves in stores, but I can easily make my own in a night or two.

Knitting allows you to customize items in exactly the way you want, which can be a big plus, especially if you are a hard to fit size or have particular standards in mind for clothes or accessories.

There are many benefits to choosing knitting as a hobby. If you're looking for a versatile hobby that is portable, inexpensive and easy to learn, give knitting a try.