All summer I’m going to feature guest bloggers talking about knitting and other crafty pursuits. Lase week Marissa Explains It All shared some handmade dress stylings, and this week I’ve got Cindy from the fit blog A Sparkle A Day talking about what knitting means to her and how she fits it into her busy life.
Cindy is a great example of a woman who makes time for what she is passionate about, and she is passionate about a TON of stuff! I feel lucky that one of those things is knitting and that through knitting we can be part of each others lives.
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My name is Cindy and I host a healthy living blog called A Sparkle A Day. One beautiful morning a little while ago, Allyson asked me if I wanted to write a little bit about knitting.
That’s like asking a Cheetah if it likes to run.
Plus I’ve never been asked to contribute to anyone else’s blog before, so I was thrilled at the offer.
I have been following Allyson here at the Sweatshop of Love, for gosh, quite a few months now, and I have to say her blog is one of my absolute favorites! Allyson’s flair and spunk makes me smile and inspires me to yarn up, on a regular basis.
If only she’d quit taunting me with her sewing…I am so jealous.
I’ve been a knitter for well over a decade but had never really progressed past scarves until a couple years ago. While even then my projects were nice, they were still very simple. A cardigan, which was a big deal for me, and a toy rabbit for my niece, things like that.
Cindy Killed By Snake!
At the beginning of the year, I joined Allyson for her Sweater A Month Challenge; fully anticipating to duck out after one, maybe two sweaters. I figured with my busy schedule of being a Mom with a full time job that I’d just be thrilled if I’d manage to start and finish one complete sweater in a month; or at all. Allyson graciously let me “play along” and a beautiful thing happened; I began knitting, like crazy. And I started reading more knitting blogs and I joined Ravelry (mariposagirl); knitting became my new full time outlet.
I have 2 children, ages 16 and 2. YIKES I know. In my return to work full time last year I realized a few things: I missed free time, and I needed balance. I think that is really the premise of my blog.
A little over a year ago I also began running.
All these hats I wear, motherhood and family life, fitness, cooking, blogging and knitting are all so very important to me. The job, I have to have. I won’t complain about it in this economy, however it’s a 10 hour day; 11 if you count my commute. I miss my happy faces at home, I need knitting, I need my cardio, and I love my blog.
Look Familiar?! Traverse City Tube Top!
A much respected psychologist I know once told me (as I sat in his office crying my eyes out, and knitting yet another crooked scarf, many many moons ago) that he has come to find that knitting is an amazing hobby for people. (I won’t say woman because anymore, men all over the place are clicking away, and making AMAZING garments)
Anyway, he told me that knitting is amazing to him (in regards to therapy I might add) in that it IS an addictive hobby;(Don’t I know that) but it is also meditative.
In that you may be obsessively driven to get that one last row finished before the sun comes up, or get that sweater done in 3 more days, or in my case…it’s been 4 hours and I need to put some needles in my hand, but it’s also relaxing. It’s calming (unless you are trying to do cables or lace) ha-ha and it’s meditative. This is good news!
There are a few tasks I absolutely need to put in my day to help me feel complete, whole, and balanced:
I need QUALITY time with my children and husband. No TV. No Wii. No Texting.
I need TIME outside; talking, laughing, playing, and gardening.
I need GOOD NUTRITION. It’s vital.
I need some form of EXERCISE; from some yoga and an easy walk to a 5 mile run and even recently, circuit training.
And KNITTING; I am not saying that soon, like very soon, I won’t trade my July or August sweater in order to paint something or spin yarn (more addictive I might add), but for the moment I am “meditatively” addicted to yarn and needles. And to date I’ve made 4 sweaters. ME! That still amazes me.
My favorite thing about knitting is you get hours of free, relaxing therapy, and then in the end you have an adorable garment to wear when you are done, or a gift for your sister’s kids, or your friend’s birthday. Knitted products are cool again. Knitting is becoming fashionable. I love that I am a part of that revolution.
My only regret is that Allyson lives far far away from me or else I’d be at the Sweatshop of Love, clicking, sipping coffee and learning a few new techniques that would undoubtedly HELP me!
What do you love about knitting?
What are you most proud of?
Me? Cables. I never thought I had it in me to do that! I still stare at my FMA Sweater (that would be my February, March, April Sweater) and shake my head. I made that!
Holla! Cabled Sweater!
Thank you for reading.
Thank you Allyson for giving me the podium for just a few minutes! It’s nice here!
Have a great day everyone!
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Thanks so much Cindy! Be sure to run and say hi to Cindy over at A Sparkle A Day!
