When I got the Knitting Bug…

I have always marvelled at knitters. I haven’t always been the Yarny Bees knitter and designer I am now! Since I was a very young child it’s a skill I have been aware of, and indeed my family is (perhaps unsurprisingly) full of people who can knit well! Throughout my childhood both my Grandma and my Nanna had tried, with varying success, to teach me when I asked. But somehow it never stuck!

The way the needles moved in their hands, even without them watching what they were doing, the sound as the needles gently clicked together, the surprising speed something new appeared from the ball of yarn at their feet. It’s forever been something I associated with family. Memories of time spent with them are intertwined with memories of crafting. I vividly remember Grandma and Nan (my great grandmother) tag team knitting. They would both work on the same garment, taking turns. Their tensions matched perfectly. I’d love to have this sort of craft relationship with someone! Especially if they loved different parts of the process to me!

Finally, age 19, I had a project in mind. A friend of mine was newly pregnant and I was determined to knit her a baby blanket. I spent the summer down in Cornwall, where my ever loving, ever patient Grandma finally taught me to knit. The blanket I made was the first proper knitting I ever did. It was made with love and determination, but VERY UGLY! I still this friend a couple of times a year, and was surprised to hear that she has kept the dodgy blanket. Perhaps more out of sentimentality for her son as a baby, and knowing it was made with love!

From there I had the bug, and I would knit whenever I had the chance. Smaller projects for myself and others, including a black hat with cat ears, requested by my now husband. We still have it in a drawer, a piece of our history, despite not being worn anymore. I view all my makes as part of my crafter history, telling the story of my learning, my development and my mental health.

Knitting has remained with me ever since. I have knitted items for my own children now, and my niece. It isn’t often I spend an evening “yarn-free”, but my husband doesn’t seem to mind. At least now I can finally knit without constantly looking! I find that the clicking of my needles (or the movement of my hook, but more on the crochet another time!) takes me to a place away from the constant noise of my mind, away from the never-ending jobs list. This is part of the reason I started The Craft Hive, to allow others to feel that sense of calm and peace that crafting can bring.

I lost my Grandma over a year ago, but I like to think that I have kept a piece of her with me in my knitting. Every item I make has some of her knitted into it. She was excited to hear about the advent of Yarny Bees, and I know that she would be proud of what I am building. I’m also passing little pieces of her on to all those who come to one of my workshops, sharing the love and passion that both she and I have for knitting.