Though it’s been a while since I’ve picked up a pair of knitting needles and yarn, I strongly recommend everyone to try it out! Though people seem to think that knitting is only for old people, I would argue that people of any age can pick up this hobby and enjoy it as well! So, here are a few reasons why you should learn to knit!

1. Relaxing/Eases Stress

Knitting tends to provide a sense of comfort and relaxation since it’s a relatively quiet and easy activity. For many people, knitting is a way to unwind from daily stress and is something to keep your hands busy. When I knit, I enjoy the sound of the quiet clinking from the needles pushing against one another and seeing the progress I’ve made on my project as I tug on the ball of yarn sitting by my feet. So, if you are ever looking for an activity that is quiet and peaceful, I would recommend visiting a craft store to buy some knitting needles and yarn!

2. Make scarfs, beanies, booties, blankets, etc.!

A huge perk to being able to knit is that you can create a variety of items- the possibilities are endless! By just typing in “knitting ideas” or “knitting projects” into Google, you’ll be given pages of results displaying different crafts that people have done! Whether you’re looking into knitting some socks or maybe even a blanket, you’ll definitely find an article explaining how to do it. I personally can only knit scarfs and beanies, but I’m perfectly content with that! Whatever it is you’re interested in, knitting provides plenty of ways to help you create it!

3. Make gifts or donate!

Not only does knitting provide a way for you to create a variety of things, it also provides you with an opportunity to give some of your creations to the people you love! It always feels even more special and meaningful when you make something yourself to give to a family member or friend! This also gives you the opportunity to strengthen your knitting skills or even add to them! Sometimes if I find an especially cute knitting idea, I’ll look at the instructions and/or level of difficulty and see if I can tackle that project! It’s often very rewarding when you accomplish an especially difficult craft so don’t be afraid to push yourself!

Another really awesome idea is to donate whatever you make! I knitted 15 children’s beanies for my senior project and I donated these beanies to a Catholic charity that specializes in helping low-income families! During the winter season especially, many organizations will ask for things like scarves, blankets, and beanies for the homeless or low-income families. Knitting is a great way to get involved in the community so please consider donation if you learn to knit! Other things to donate to those who are struggling include gently used clothing or toiletries.

4. Getting started is super easy!

A quick stop to a craft store like Michael’s will get you all the supplies needed to get you started on becoming a knitter! I like to purchase all my knitting items from this craft store because they often provide coupons that can save you up to 40 percent on items! All you need to get started is a ball of yarn and a pair of knitting needles! There are a few things to consider when purchasing yarn: material, weight (thickness), and color. Some yarn is very slippery and may be hard for beginning knitters to use, so try to stick with yarn that is soft, but not too flimsy! Yarn weight (thickness) also varies depending on the brand; yarn is numbered from 0 to 6, with “0” being incredibly fine and silky and “6” being very thick and bulky. I tend to aim for yarn that is 3 or 4, depending on what I am knitting. Yarn that is a “3” or “4” are best for beanies and scarves, while a “6” is best for thick blankets and sweaters. Lastly, there is color! Yarn comes in a variety of colors and there are so many to choose from! Another fun thing to do is to combine different yarn colors so that your project really stands out!

Knitting needles are especially important when beginning to knit! Like yarn, knitting needles come in different sizes as well, ranging from 0 to 15. For scarves and beanies, I prefer to use needles that are a size 5. These sizes indicate the thickness of the needles and also depend on the type of yarn being used. If yarn that has a weight of “6” is being used, then I would recommend using larger sized needles.

Both the needles and yarn are relatively inexpensive, especially if you get these items when they are on sale and/or using a coupon! Another optional item to consider buying is a beginner’s knitting book! These books provide instructions for how to get started and include some easy project that a beginner can learn! This is optional because similar instructions and tips can be found online, so I’d recommend just watching online videos or possibly a friend or family member who knows how to knit to show you!

Well, I hope my article was enjoyable and inspired some of you to learn how to knit! It’s definitely a fun hobby and something to consider if you have some spare time on your hands.