Knitting for the Nest: Saving the Planet One Stitch at a Time!

I have a confession to make, I am an addict–a knitting addict. Those of you who have this affliction know all too well that once bitten by the bug, you can’t get enough, and you can’t go back. Yarn stashes are tucked in all the nooks and crannies of your house, your car, your life! You comb the yarn shops and Internet for patterns, gadgets and inspiration. You secretly crave extended car, train and plane trips (unless airport security confiscates your needles as weapons ) for long stretches of uninterrupted time to knit. You don’t even mind waiting at doctor offices, school bus stops or for take-out food. Chop sticks can double as knitting needles in a pinch. Nothing is sacred, not traffic jams (and you thought cell phones were distracting), movie theatres (tiny LED flashlights line the pockets of my coats in case of a dropped stitch), and especially not faculty meetings (as my teaching colleagues can attest).

How could this have happened to me? Well, I’ve been a knitter for a long time. My earliest memory was when I was gunning for a Girl Scout badge and my garter stitch scarf had to be the longest and warmest. My mother knits, but she is more of a master seamstress. To this day, she is the most talented and gifted craftsperson of all things needle-related that I know east of the Rockies. I would like to pin the roots of this obsession on my mom, but it’s more likely a college friend who gets the badge of honor for dragging me into a yarn shop after a sobering shopping trip to Bloomingdales. The sticker shock of the handknit sweater I had been lusting after was hundreds of dollars. I was on a tight college kids budget. The economics of my sweater obsession drove me tumbling head first into my knitting addiction.

The popularity of hand knitting historically swings like a pendulum. It goes in and out of fashion. Knitting is having a resurgence again. It is hip and fashionable to knit with new eco-friendly yarns and supplies.

As with all addictions, sharing seems to expedite the healing process. With that sentiment in mind, for all you folks with the knitting bug or who want to learn to knit, I am sharing an easy and green gift idea.

EASY SEED STITCH SCARF
Yarn: Worsted-weight eco-yarn, approximately 430 yards.
Needles: Bamboo, Size 9 (5.5mm).
Gauge: 16 sts and 28 rows = 4”.

SEED STITCH
All rows: *Knit 1, Purl 1*; repeat from * to * across row, end Knit 1
Repeat this row for pattern.

SCARF
Loosely cast on 35 sts. Work in Seed stitch until your scarf is approximately 60” or your desired length. Bind off loosely.

I would like to say that I’m in recovery, but I still walk on the wild side of knitting. Now it’s come full circle back to economics. No, I am not a college student again, although I have a few. Holiday gift-giving has caused me to go off the wagon again (not that I ever really stopped knitting). With needles ready, willing and able, I am going to try to stave off any impeding economic downturns and save the planet one stitch at a time!

Ronnie Citron-Fink lives in New York with her husband, two children (when they come home to the nest), two dogs and a cat. Ronnie is a teacher and a writer. She has been a contributing writer for Family Fun magazine. She currently writes articles about education and home design. Her writings are in four books including Family Fun Home and Some Delights of the Hudson Valley.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Joy W.

7:38AM PDT on Jun 1, 2010

I am not a knitter but I used to crochet.

send a green star

Trace J.

4:53AM PST on Mar 8, 2010

I still knit slippers and bedsocks for my grown up children and family

Victoria H.

1:20PM PST on Mar 6, 2010

I have a friend that is always knitting beautiful baby things. I am jealous.

Nona E.

10:26AM PST on Mar 4, 2010

I'm not a knitter [yet] but I love looking at the yarns and dreaming of what I could do. I take great personal pride in the projects of my friend. Her latest project is knitting tiny caps to donate to hospitals for newborns.

Sarah M.

10:52AM PST on Dec 4, 2009

I simply adore the picture at the top of this article. It looks soft, warm, comfortable, probably natural, and full of potential. Thus I reveal my status as a knitting addict.

Past Member .

11:55PM PDT on Jun 18, 2009

thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner,Prefabrik
mega kabin
Konteyner

Lisa C.

1:37PM PDT on Mar 29, 2009

Well ladies, I made it through and made better mitts. A guess practice makes perfect. lol I've started on my second sweater (top down, raglan sleeved...LOVE it!) and I'm using eco friendly yarn made of acrylic as well as post-consumer plastic bottles! It is inexpensive (about $2.50 a skein) and I can find it in many colors at that 'super' chain department store. (I don't like shopping there..but it is the cheapest yarn I can find) I am on Ravelry, for those who've suggested the site...feel free to look me up. Find me under "ladyleif". Happy knitting!

Meredith M.

4:03PM PDT on Mar 18, 2009

Are you on Ravelry? If you're not, you should be! Awesome site for knitters and crocheters.

Terri O.

11:52PM PST on Jan 31, 2009

i am also hooked on knitting it so amazing to see that so many women are. My mom taught me at a young age although i do not know alot of patterns i remain teachable through books. i have been laid off since last march its been rough. but i make beautiful scarfs &shawls they sell well,thanks to my friends that own a vegetarian restaurant, they suggested that i make them and display them there. its such a great feeling to see my finished product there. i used to just knit for fun and didn't know what to do with all of it. now i have a little business venture happening. i plan to knit summer shawls. i used to only knit in the winter now i plan to knit all summer too. With plans of introducing my products to other little shops on comission! I love to knit to me it is so relaxing and calming.I am 49 If you learn to knit you definetly get hooked!!! In my case a door closed but a window opened!!! HAPPY KNITTING EVERYONE !!