Vermont transitioned from social distancing suggestions to a Shelter at Home mandate that will remain in effect for several weeks. It means that many of us will now be sheltering in place as others of our friends around the country have been for a week or more.
In a surprising turn of events, many of our social connections are deepening, with friends and social knitting groups gathering with video conferencing technology to stave off feelings of isolation that can come from not interacting with co-workers and service workers in what used to be normal day to day life.
And families are spending more time together. Parents who are working from home may be struggling to engage and distract their kiddos who aren’t accustomed to these new restrictions.
Why not try knitting?
It’s possible that the same benefits that your stitches can bring you, can be shared by others in your household. Crafting can be meditative, it brings a sense of accomplishment, and perhaps a few welcome moments of quiet concentration(?)
© flax & twine | anne weil
We wanted to encourage you to delve into finger knitting. Our friend Ann Weil (of Flax & Twine has a lovely photo tutorial on her website. Or you may want to explore Youtube to find instructional videos like this one for right-handed finger knitting:
No special tools are required. A bulky yarn is recommended, like our Yarn Over or Capricorn that will allow quick progress for impatient beginners. You’ll find a similar video for left-handed instruction, so no one is left out.
Try sharing something that you love with folks you are quarantined with. Take frequent breaks, and if your fellow makers are of a wiggly age, add some dance party intermissions to blow off steam and pent up energy that will allow your little ones respite from concentrating on something new.
Perhaps you’ll make something special together. Or perhaps you’ll share a few laughs and learn that every tangled mess can be undone. We wish you many moments of joy during these days ahead. We hope that our fiber can bring you the same comfort that it does us!
Be well, and happy knitting!