Lauryn's Thoughts on a Hobby ...

      Good afternoon, fellow readers. So it still feels like the middle of winter here in Michigan. That means it is absolutely miserable and cold. Nobody wants to go out there right now, so all of our warm weather pastimes must be cast aside until May when it finally begins to thaw. So what do we do?
     Luckily, for me, most of my hobbies are done indoors where I can stay nice and warm and the thing outside known as “nature” can stay as far away from me as humanly possible. Don't get me wrong here, I do like going outside and walking in the woods and smelling the wild flowers or seeing all those cute little woodland critters roaming about. However, I am also a total klutz, mosquitoes find my blood delicious, and I burn easy. Therefore, inside is best.
     So what do I do inside? Lately, I work on my newest hobby. I knit. Yes, one more thing to make me seem more like an old lady. But I do not care. I enjoy making soft things for me to wear. This year I knitted 7 of my Christmas gifts and I plan on knitting part of my bridesmaids gifts.  Currently, I am working on a hat, scarf and mitten set for myself in cream and burgundy.
     I learned how to knit about a year ago from a woman I babysit for who has become a very good friend. She taught me how to “cast on” my stitches, and to do my basic “garter stitch.” Since then, I have yet to be able to stop knitting and my bedroom is filled with skeins of year in many different colors and many different size needles in both straight and circular forms. Right now, I can do easy patterned scarves, flat knit hats, fingerless mittens, and dishcloths, as well as decorative little pumpkins I did for my Mom’s birthday. I will work on my first blanket soon which will be a Christmas star blanket. I can also read patterns, and anything I do not know or understand, I have found that YouTube is my new best friend. Every time I pick up my needles, I am strengthening my skill and learning something new. Last time it was how to transfer works in progress onto a holder so I can start a different project. There is always something to learn, and I love it.
      I wanted to learn how to knit for two reasons, one because I try to learn something new every holiday season whether it be a new recipe for a tasty treat, or a craft to make homemade gifts. And also because I was super tired of being totally dependent on my phone for entertainment and to keep my ADD brain from going insane. I hate sitting still, I have to be doing something. So this a productive thing to do. So when crocheting didn't work at all, I switched to knitting. Now, I always have a project with me wherever I go and Joann Fabrics is my new favorite store. I get a daily pattern emailed to me and I joined a knitting group on Facebook. So much fun and so much to learn. Recently, I sold two sets of dishcloths to someone over the holidays to give as gifts and I hope to do craft shows. I cannot wait to make my first stocking for Christmas or a baby blanket for my children one day. There is so much to do with this hobby. I have a long way to go though and I look forward to it. Maybe one day I can even sell my stuff on Etsy. Only time will tell.
     So that's all for now, readers, I am off to work on my scarf, as it is a rare day off for me. Or, maybe I will take a nap. I haven't decided yet. Stay warm!