When Do You Knit? No, Really... - Page 2

[Shantimama]

I have to admit that I took a long break from knitting when I had babies, toddlers and small children. Now that they are older knitting is wonderful because I can sit and listen to them for hours and happily knit the whole time

It is a phase of life and every bit as short as everyone warns you it will be. When I had three children in diapers and people told me that I secretly rolled my eyes because as much as I loved it, I could not imagine life wouldn't always be full of nursing, diapers, naps and snacks. A few years down the road all of that is just a sweet memory - except for the snacking part Now they just eat 10 times as much!!

[Knittin' in the Shade]

I've got older kids now (youngest is 3.5 - How did THAT happen?!) but when they were weebies, I'd get lots ofknitting time in while they nursed. I knitted at playgrounds, at playgroups, and in the car whenever DH drove. I live in an area that has tons of stoplights and traffic because of them. It's not uncommon to sit at a light for 5+ minutes waiting to actually get through it. So, I have a mindless car project that sits on the passenger seat, and when I'm stopped in a line of 20 cars waiting at a red light, I'll knit a row on it (usually it's a dishcloth, or booties, etc) Obviously I never knit *while* I'm driving, but those 5 minutes here and there waiting in an idle car add up. I also always had a small project going on my kitchen counter, and in the lulls during making dinner (just chopped onions, waiting for them tobrown, etc) I'd get a few stitches in.

[Turquesa]

Originally Posted by Knittin' in the Shade

I live in an area that has tons of stoplights and traffic because of them. It's not uncommon to sit at a light for 5+ minutes waiting to actually get through it. So, I have a mindless car project that sits on the passenger seat, and when I'm stopped in a line of 20 cars waiting at a red light, I'll knit a row on it (usually it's a dishcloth, or booties, etc)

Awesome idea!

[NullSet]

Yup, I also knit really late at night after kids are in bed. I have to consciously not do computer stuff in order to make the time though. A lot of times I'll watch something on hulu and knit, so it's kind of like I get my computer and knit fix all in one.

[ERue]

I try to fit it in when the kids are watching a show, (so like 20 minutes of quiet) or at night after they go to bed. I really do try to make time because it's something I enjoy and I don't want to always feel like I have to be doing some chore. A load of laundry can wait until tomorrow.

[Angelorum]

I take my 9 mo to knitting group with me. When he was tiny, I would wear him in the moby. We meet at a bookstore coffee shop, and when he was ready to go to sleep I would walk laps around the store until he was out and I could go sit down and knit again. Now that he's bigger (and harder to see around to knit) I bring his hook on chair (you know the kind that just hook on to the side of a table) and he sits and plays with whatever I brought for him and anything else interesting anybody hands him (size Q crochet hook, sock blocker, etc) I don't get as much knitting done as I did without him, but dh has crazy hours and is often sleeping when knit night rolls around.

[holliebug]

I have a 5 month old, and only just started to pick up the needles again. I knit mostly when all of the kids are asleep at night, or when he takes his longest nap of the day in the afternoon, if the older two (7.5, and nearly 6) are happy doing their own thing.
I also take the knitting in the car, and often stay up way too late knitting. It is getting easier, and those first few months were rough. I started the same sweater for the baby twice because he grew faster than I could knit it! lol Right now I am sticking to smaller projects.

[mary3mama]

Like a PP I must knit daily.

I saw a button on facebook the other day that said:

I knit so I don't kill people

I do most of my knitting after everyone else has headed to bed. I'm the nightowl of the family so this works out great.

If there's any 'down time' during the day I knit then too.

I also take my knitting bag with me almost everywhere. If we are at the park and no one needs me, out come the needles. If we are at chick-fil-a and the kids are having fun...same. And then there's the times when we are waiting somewhere for someone or if a child falls asleep in their carseat...knitting becomes my best friend...

Basically I have to be doing something all the time or I go nutty. Taking along a project makes me a far more patient and occupied mama.

And, yes, it is a phase you are in...the more independent they become, the more knitting time you will have.