knitting while i get my hair done.

What common hobby is shared by Madeleine Albright, Goldie Hawn, Russell Crow and thousands of other men and women across the country? The answer may surprise you. It’s knitting, a handicraft that is growing in popularity. Over three-quarters of American households have at least one family member who spends an average of 7.5 hours weekly engaged in some craft, many of whom are knitters. Besides the obvious advantage of creating useful articles and garments, knitters enjoy a host of health benefits both physical and psychological.  

Knitting allows you to steep yourself in creativity and forget the stress and anxiety of your day. Being actively engaged in a project about which you are passionate and interested, allows the brain to immerse itself fully in the task, producing a feeling similar to a runner’s high.  

The rhythmic motion of knitting has been proven to change the brain chemistry so as to decrease bad stress hormones and increase the release of such good mood hormones as serotonin and dopamine.  

The process of learning to knit helps you feel good about yourself and enhances your sense of self esteem. As you master more difficult stitches and patterns, you gain the confidence to try other new things in your life.  

Crafts like knitting engage both your mind and body, causing optimistic feelings about your life and future. Knitters also tend to be more social and outgoing, especially as they interact with others who share their passion.

Knitting in the early morning. Plan on finishing my Hue shift afghan today.

Love

Hand Embroidered Dr Who Shoes

Cross Stitched Mario Maps by Cross-Stitch Ninja

The Knit Garden is an ongoing series of works by artist Tatyana Yanishevsky, in which she creates fantastic knitted versions of flowers and plants.

on tumblr

via(blog.makezine.com)

Major spring orgination. More to follow!

Really, all you need to become a good knitter are wool, needles, hands and slightly below-average intelligence. Of course, superior intelligence, such as yours and mine, is an advantage.

Elizabeth Zimmerman (via modernmsknits)

What do I keep telling you.

TRUTH!

untitled on Flickr.

I am sooooo knitting this sweater for Ellie.

little red riding hood sweater

via (cyndylou3)

And a warmer filled with rice for my niece.

This weekends knits. New ankle socks.