Sunday 21 February 2010

knitting as therapy

Sometimes life trips you up just when you least expect it.

A telephone call on friday took an unexpected turn down a rather more unpleasant route than the one I was anticipating. A simple misunderstanding that escalated out of control. By the time I'd put the phone down I was feeling a little bruised. My brain went into overdrive, and I knew I needed to calm down, and let go of the stories going round and round in my head. I'm not one to hang on to things, preferring to sort out disagreements where possible, then let go and move on. Life is too short. Fortunately, I had a quiet weekend planned, as I just wanted to retreat and think things through.

Solace was found in picking up my needles and a new ball of wool. This pattern has been on my knit list for a while now, and it seemed the perfect opportunity to try a little knitting as therapy.


I've not done any cables before, but these were simple enough once I got going. It was the perfect knitting for calming the mind - the challenge of something new, but not too demanding, coupled with going round and round and round and round.


I've modified the pattern by increasing the cable repeats both at the cuff and the finger end, and doing six extra rounds of rib for the palm (ravelry notes suggested the sizing came up small). Even so, they're not quite long enough for me which is just as well as I've knitted them for a surprise gift. Had they fitted, I might have been tempted to keep them. I'm planning a pair for myself in this wool (aran, colour: seville) from my christmas stash.

So I can recommend knitting for stilling a busy mind. Thankfully, the misunderstanding has now been resolved, and I can start the week on an even keel. Even if my in-box is overflowing with unanswered emails.

20 comments:

MarmaladeRose said...

Glad you're all sorted in the end. Love the colour you chose for the mits.

Frogdancer said...

Yours look exactly like the ones I mede!

Just waiting for cool weather to arrive so I can start wearing them.

A time to dance said...

They look lovely Diana, so glad you have sorted things out, I just hate it when that happens and if you leave it too long you can loes everything..have a good week...H

Ali said...

Glad thinds settled down.

Now if you could just recommend knitting for sorting out my house...

Diane said...

It will say that on my headstone - "Here lies Di, often misunderstood"!! Its amazing how things can escalate and spiral out of control just by a misunderstanding. I hope things are back on an even keel and remain so. I love your mittens - fabulous colour. xxxx

Simone said...

Here's to a more positive week! The yarn looks so soft and tactile and a lovely colour too. I find that painting or any type of crafting calms me down. x

Gina said...

I find knitting brilliant therapy too. Pleased things have settled down for you.

kristina said...

So glad everything worked out. And those mitts are on my knitting list too. I think we must queue all the same patterns :) And thank you for the tip about making them a bit bigger. K x

driftwood said...

so glad you sorted everything, and had a wonderfully knitty weekend too, love them xoxo

Pipany said...

Oh I hate it when things go like that Diana. Glad it is resolved and I couldn't agree more about knitting as therapy. I have said before on my blog that I sort many a disagreement, say all the things I wished I had found the words for and end up feeling so much better for it as I stitch away. The pace generally increases too, so it's good news all round! I LOVE those mitts! cabling is good fun isn't it? Makes me fancy another go as it has been years since I did any. I love the shade you have used too. Really beautiful. Much love sweetie xx

Griffin said...

Reminds me of Krazy Kat and Ignatz...

KK: Why is lengwidge?

Ig: Language is that we may understand one another.

KK: Can you undastend an Oshkosher or an Eskimo?

Ig: No.

KK: Can an Eskimo or an Oshkosher undastend you?

Ig: No.

KK: Then I would say that lengwidge is that we may mis-undastend one another!

Love the colour of that wool... wish I could knit like that too. Sigh!

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Seems like a wonderful way to calm the mind Diana. I'm glad things have been sorted out.

Your cables are fantastic and I love that colour!

Jeanne x

Petit Filoux said...

hum, glad you're feeling better! Knitting is a great way to take your mind off things x

Joanne said...

Great way to calm the mind and what a fantastic gift you have for someone they love gorgeous. Hope your feeling better and not so bruised.

have a good week
Joanne x

A Bun Can Dance said...

Dear Diana
Sorry to hear you had a troubled mind... knitting is great for calming the soul, isn't it? I'm generally a great sleeper, but there are times when I'm wide awake at 4am and I often do some rows of knitting to settle my brain and heartbeat!
Your knitting is gorgeous - I love the colour - and I love cable knit.
Have a super week,
D x

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

Love the colour and the cable pattern.
It is true sometimes solace can be find in the simplest of pleasures...
Susan x

Anonymous said...

Oh I'm so so sorry! Do hope you are ok? You are very right that life is short, but sadly misunderstandings can have such an impact! Do hope things are patched up! The wool is beautiful and you are right, knitting is therapy!

(((hugs)))

Tracy x said...

truly hoping you are o.k...
and love your cables - also on my list of must try :)
love to you
t x

Louise said...

A few years back I had a very malicious phone call from an elderly great aunt of mine. It upset my equilibrium for weeks, if not months. I really didn't deserve the tirade! It's good your misunderstanding was resolved quickly. Your cable is so neat. You could make some of those lovely trendy cushion covers? x

justine.grist said...

I can confirm they made a wonderful surprise present, I am thrilled with them!! I would have made this comment sooner if i wasn't so useless at keeping up with blogs (despite your attempts to organise me with bloglines!). Glad to hear the process was also useful to you :-) also we got your lovely card and now I feel bad for saying you hadn't responded! xx