I have recently come to staring intently at people’s clothes if they are wearing something that looks like a knit fabric. I try to figure out if it is a machine-knit or a hand-knit; if I can identify the knits and purls pattern, and thereby figure out what the stitch is. I make mental notes on what I like about a garment, and what I don’t. All while not walking into them or completely creeping people out. Tough.
I decided that 2024 was going to be a year of learning (that isn’t academic). There are things I’ve always wanted to learn, but couldn’t. As most Sri Lankan academically-high-achieving people know, an interest in anything outside academics were actively discouraged as a distraction. One such thing I’ve always wanted to learn was knitting. I’m pretty sure my desire derived from one too many Loony Tunes cartoons where the old woman is dozing off with a pair of knitting needles in hand, and the cat runs away with the ball of yarn. After two months of knitting, I’m happy to report that such calamity has not befallen me. (I also don’t have a cat though.)
“How are you learning to knit, Minoli?” one person asked, while another wanted to know which class I’ve been going to learn this craft; yet another person asked which family member is teaching me. “Um. YouTube?” I’d answer somewhat sheepishly. It still boggles my mind that there are so many people out there who are sharing their knowledge for free on a platform that is free (if you’re not paying, you’re the product, etc. Yes. You know what I mean). There are thousands of people teaching knitting for beginners that the task is to find someone who matches you and not be overwhelmed by all the options. I started with Sheep and Stitch, and have now moved on to NimbleNeedles for my tips and tricks and assorted advice. There is so much out there to learn, and so many resources to learn from. It’s amazing when you really think about it.
“Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn’t hurt the untroubled spirit either. When I say properly practiced, I mean executed in a relaxed manner, without anxiety, strain, or tension, but with confidence, inventiveness, pleasure, and ultimate pride.”
Elizabeth Zimmermann, Knitting Without Tears
It’s been two months since I started teaching myself how to knit. I still can’t get over how a single piece of string transforms into fabric into a garment then I actually put on my body! There is a world of difference between wearing something you bought and something you created with your own two hands. I’m not very good at knitting yet, so what I make isn’t as shaped and fitting as it can be. Imagine being able to decide every little thing about what you put on your body – material, colour, pattern, width, length, where you want it to hug your body and where you want to be breezy; and you see it take form right before your eyes! One day it was a ball of yarn and two weeks later it’s a sweater that you now love more than any other sweater you’ve ever owned!
It’s been two months since I started teaching myself how to knit. My screen time has gone down 30% (or more on some weeks). My hands are pretty happy that their motions aren’t limited to being cramped over a keyboard or wrapped around a phone. My wrists get actual movement. The flipside is my reading has suffered – only 11 books so far this year – as I still can’t read while knitting. I’ve read about knitters who’ve mastered this, though. So, I have hope of combining old with new for a perfect hybrid.
Sweater sleeve in the making 
How do I compute that this string of yarn ends up as a fluffy stretchy fabric! 
On the train. Yet to receive a weird look 
Cardigan: project in progress
It’s been two months since I started teaching myself how to knit. I started with making little swatches of different stitches, so I learn which is which and how to do each. I have made an infinity scarf (on flat needles; therefore, it’s seamed); a sweater (without a pattern); a beanie (on the round); and am working on a cardigan. I am grateful to the random YouTube commentor who’s said their best advice for a beginner knitter is to do a sweater as their second project (after a scarf). It takes away the element of intimidation and brings in a sense of accomplishment to the learning process. I don’t think I would have been as excited if the only things I could make were scarves and beanies.
I knit at home. I knit at university when I’m taking a break between writing sessions. I knit on the train. I knit in parks. I knit in cafes. Since yesterday, I knit on benches by the road. I’m on my fourth project right now. None of these are perfect. However, according to Mrs Zimmerman, I am properly practicing knitting.
Minoli Wijetunga 