Hi there,
I hope that this newsletter finds you safe and well.
These are anxious and uncertain times, and that’s why exercising caution and practicing self-care is critical if we are to see it through the next few months with our mental, physical and spiritual health intact.
Instead of letting feelings of helplessness overwhelm us, we must be proactive and focus on those things that we can control – that is, our thoughts and our actions.
In your hands, you have a powerful and effective therapeutic tool that can help you navigate these next few days, weeks, and months with more ease – your knitting!
Let’s leverage the many benefits of knitting to regain a sense of calm and control in our lives. Knitting can ground us in the present moment (as opposed to ruminating in the past or worrying about the future); it can help us tune into our body’s natural relaxation response to relieve stress and anxiety.
With knitting in hand, we can practice navigating uncertainty with calm and replacing fear and anxiety with acceptance, creativity, and compassion. Without minimizing the severity of the current situation, we can take the opportunity to lean into the present moment, and reflect more deeply on our lives, our relationships, and our connection to the planet.
We can choose to respond mindfully and skillful instead of reflexively and fearfully.
Knitting keeps us busy and feeling productive during long days of self-isolation and it can keep our minds focused and engaged. It also provides a self-soothing tool as we explore with mindfulness, difficult feelings and emotions.
Please know that even as you self-isolate and practice social distancing, you are not alone. We have a very heart-centered and supportive community of crafters here at Knit Om, and you can connect via our private Facebook group. If you are struggling, please reach out in the community. We would like to support you in any way we can.
Also, starting April 1st, 2020, I will be running another 30-day Commit to Knit Challenge! The 30-day challenge is about making time every day for your mindful knitting practice. It’s a fun way to connect online as we commit to the challenge together.
Every day of the challenge, I share an inspirational post or a meditation practice to support you in your daily commitment. (Stay tuned for more information about the challenge in the coming week. It will be held in the Facebook group, and you are welcome to join now and introduce yourself to the group members.)
Below, I’ve curated a handful of articles that I thought you mind enjoy/find interesting!
Peace, love, & Knit Om,
Becky x
p.s. If you or someone you know needs help paying for food, paying bills, etc. due to the COVID-19 pandemic, go to http://FindHelp.org. It lists free and reduced-cost services in every city in America and highlights hundreds of programs designed to help. If you know of a similar service available for the UK or Australia (or your region), please let me know!
:: Knitting – Wellness – Conscious Living ::
How to Manage Anxiety During the Coronavirus Pandemic
No matter what your specific brand of anxiety looks like, it’s probably safe to say that the novel coronavirus pandemic isn’t helping it. And while there’s no cure for the heightened anxiety that’s all but inevitable in these stressful, unprecedented times, there are ways to smarten your approach to dealing with it that can meaningfully reduce your overall sense of helplessness. Specifically, the article mentions knitting and crochet, as well as mindfulness and mindful breathing as effective tools to manage anxiety.
5 Tips to Starting a Daily Creative Practice
If you’re looking to build or restart your creative habit—and enjoy the many benefits associated with creativity, check out these 5 tips for getting started with a daily creative practice.
Alton Brown’s Must-Watch Video About Handwashing Is Both Hilarious and Informative
Washing your hands has always been important, and right now for the safety of ourselves and others during this pandemic, it is essential. I definitely recommend checking out this hilarious, yet informative video by celebrity chef Alton Brown, where he gives us all the lowdown on how to properly wash our hands (he even gets into the science of handwashing!)
This episode of the Knitpicks podcast is helpful if you want to “shop your stash.” First, Erica and Hannah discuss all the information on yarn labels and what it all means to help you make informed choices.Next, Stacey and Lee share tips and special considerations when you’re searching for the perfect project for a specific yarn. Whether you have a single mystery skein or a sweater quantity of yarn, they’ve got you covered.
Brooklyn Tweed: Apart Together (Pay what you choose, support how you can)
In the wake of the developing pandemic of COVID-19, many local yarn stores are shutting their doors to help flatten the curve and stop this virus from spreading. By looking out for their customers and employees and putting global health first, they find themselves in a potentially tenuous financial situation. In response, Brooklyn Tweed have launched a new initiative – Brooklyn Tweed: Apart Together. With this initiative, they are offering all of their customers who are experiencing financial hardship during this stressful time the ability to purchase Brooklyn Tweed yarns at a more accessible price point. Click HERE more information.
How to Declutter Craft Supplies to Find More Creativity!
If you’ve been meaning to declutter your craft supplies, but didn’t know where to start, then this post is for you. You’ll find a simple, step by step guide to help you declutter craft supplies and find more time, space and energy to get creative! Let go of the craft supplies that no longer serve you and Instead make space for things that bring you joy.
Why “Craft As Joy” Doesn’t Need To Feel Joyful
Felicia from the Craft Sessionsexplores her thoughts about crafting and joy. In this thoughtful piece, Felicia acknowledges that craft doesn’t always need to feel joyful, and that’s ok. Craft can mean different things to us at different times.
Anxiety is Also Contagious. Here’s How to Calm Down
Nonstop news about a deadly virus spreading across the country, impending weeks of mass disruption and social distancing has us all on edge. To help us gain perspective and maybe even reclaim some calm, Mindful’s Content Director Anne Alexander talks with mindfulness expert and psychiatrist, Dr. Judson Brewer.
Tabetha from Sweet Georgia shares four great tips for using stitch markers when knitting lace. But these tips can be used for any knitting project. Stitch markers really are little superheroes that can help you keep on track with your knitting and make the whole process a little less stressful.
:: Pattern Inspiration ::
Slanting Stripes Scarf by Purl Soho
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About this design: The construction is a simple bias garter stitch. To knit this scarf on the diagonal, you just cast on in one corner and increase along each edge; then for most of the scarf, increase along one edge while decreasing along the other; then decrease along both edges to the opposite corner, and done! This Slanting Stripes Scarf brings in a pop of pinstripe at just the right frequency to keep things exciting! A perfect project for Knitasana (therapeutic knitting).
StayCool Oven Mitt Pot Holder by Jelena C (Jinxed Stitches)
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About this design: This reversible double layer knit oven mitt/potholder is a must-have accessory for every kitchen. The double-layer provides the perfect insulation against hot pots and pans and with the middle thumb design it fits both right and left hand! The mitt is roomy enough to fit larger hands yet small enough to fit the smaller Chefs’ hands. The design provides protection from burns when reaching in the oven.
Colorful half + half dishcloths by Purl Soho
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About this design: These small squares with big colour are based on Purl Soho’s Half + Half Blanket, a clever short-row pattern that has you knit one triangular half of a square and then the other without any picking up or seaming! A great project for using up those small bits of leftover cotton yarn.
:: Final Thoughts ::
I want to acknowledge that I haven’t sent a newsletter for several weeks and I apologize for being absent for so long with not so much as a word!
My family and I have been recovering from a very nasty flu. It hit us hard, each of us in turn (in fact I was ill, then I recovered, then it took me down again). When I was well, at least one of my kids was off sick. It’s taken weeks to get over it and I’ve had to put everything (i.e. my work at Knit Om) on the back-burner.
Now with the Covid-19 pandemic, all my kids are home indefinitely from school. We’ll have to see how productive I can be given the circumstances! Eeek!
Of course, I know you’ll understand. You’ve always been so kind and supportive when I’ve needed to step away.
Thank you to those who reached out to check in that I was OK. It meant more to me than you could know.
I hope you enjoyed the newsletter this week, and as always, thanks for reading!
If you’d like to write back, please do, but not necessary!
I love to know more about you, what you’re up to, and how knitting fits into your life.
With love and gratitude,
Becky
xoxo