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Knitting as a spiritual practice  

post #1 of 18
10/29/03 at 4:09am
Thread Starter 
I consider myself a beginner knitter, never really doing more than garter stitch and I have resisted learning to knit in the round (circular knitting). I am working on opening myself up to more creative endeavors with my needles and beautiful yarn - and found these incredible resources:

The Knitting Goddess - a great book for those that are interested in the female lineage of knitting - not just about Goddesses, Rachel, Joseph's mother from the Bible, is also talked about in depth. A beautiful book!

The Knitting Sutra: Craft as a Spiritual Practice - another incredible, interesting book that has affirmed what I am doing with my hands while I create.

Some people use prayer beads, I use my knitting needles. It helps me sit quietly, I have to remind myself to be in the now - to not rush the stitches. With each stitch, I affirm to myself my gifts and the incredible things about myself and my life. This has meant so much more than just "knitting".

Anyone else doing this sort of thing? Any other thoughts? Links?
post #2 of 18
10/29/03 at 10:47am
I completely agree-knitting for me is meditation time. When I'm knitting, I find it much easier to clear my head and focus on praying that I do at any other time. In fact, when I've got something especially important that I want to pray about, I pull out the needles, got to the cozy chair I've got set up in my attic, and just sit quietly, contemplating my prayers and knitting. It's very calming. I actually did a prayer shawl a few years back completely in that attic!

I have to get the Knitting Sutra one, I love the Knitting Goddess!
post #3 of 18
10/29/03 at 10:33pm
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post #4 of 18
10/30/03 at 6:57pm
I'm a beginner, but I also find knitting to be a meditation. I can only knit late at night when the kids are asleep, so the house is quiet and I find the rhythm of the knitting and the way the stitches form to be deeply spiritual. It is very much like sculpting or drawing for me- the line between myself and the creation disappears and there is a oneness.

I've even fallen asleep seeing stitch patterns on my eyelids- I guess that is part of learning- my unconscious mind processing all this new information.
post #5 of 18
1/29/08 at 1:48pm
Just wanted to bump this vintage thread . . .

Does anyone use their knitting as spiritual practice?

The idea fascinates me. More often than not, I find myself squeezing out time to knit/crochet and it's usually frantic "I gotta hurry up and at least get x amount rows done before the boys wake up". I'd love to be more mindful/meditative.

What are your experiences??
post #6 of 18
1/29/08 at 1:58pm
Good thread! Thanks for the book recommendations!

My 4yo had to have 2 oral surgeries in the past few months and I was a wreck. I took my knitting with me and knit socks for him while I sat in the waiting room. Each stitch was an expression of my love for him and filled with a prayer. I felt much more calm and like I really was doing something to help him. Not just by actually knitting him a couple of pairs of socks, but by focusing on him and praying for his strength and health and for wisdom for the doctors. :

Theresa- I have always been interested in knitting a prayer shawl. Do you have a favorite pattern?

rootzdawta- I find I am often in a hurry like you described. I do not enjoy knitting when I get that way. I LOVE knitting when I make the effort to use it as a time for reflection and prayer.
post #7 of 18
1/29/08 at 2:02pm
Yeah, I find my knitting to be very nurturing to me spiritually. I practice being mindful and present in every moment as best I can, but nothing allows me to accomplish that better than knitting.
I also use it to relax. If I am running around trying to "get things done," nothing allows me to slow down more effectively than picking up the needles and sitting with the kids. I know that sounds backward...like, doesn't knitting take your attention away from them?? But, I am a fidgety, constantly moving person, so having handwork allows me to get my fidget in while also giving my attention to someone or something else.
So, knitting is my zen practice, so to speak. It calms me when I am worried or nervous, relaxes me when I am doing too much, and generally soothes me. It's like my pacifier, I suppose.
post #8 of 18
1/29/08 at 2:10pm
DP bought me the book "The Zen of Knitting." I was slightly turned off by the title but it is a really fun and interesting read.

The author talks about a variety of perspectives on knitting as a spiritual practice. She talks about studies that have been done that show that the same physical effects (and benefits) occur during knitting that occur during deep meditation.

Knitting for me is very meditational. I often feel like I've woken from a deep restorative sleep after knitting. I breathe slowly and deeply, my mind is clear and wanders without anxiety or hesitation. Also, most of my knitting is for other people and I tend to consciously meditate on my love for the person for whom I am knitting, which is a practice I really love.
post #9 of 18
1/29/08 at 2:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shonahsmom View Post
DP bought me the book "The Zen of Knitting." I was slightly turned off by the title but it is a really fun and interesting read.

The author talks about a variety of perspectives on knitting as a spiritual practice. She talks about studies that have been done that show that the same physical effects (and benefits) occur during knitting that occur during deep meditation.

Knitting for me is very meditational. I often feel like I've woken from a deep restorative sleep after knitting. I breathe slowly and deeply, my mind is clear and wanders without anxiety or hesitation. Also, most of my knitting is for other people and I tend to consciously meditate on my love for the person for whom I am knitting, which is a practice I really love.
I couldn't agree more in regard to how it feels to knit for a time and then sort of return to an awakened state...

Almost everything I knit is for others. Knitting on DH's sweater is the quickest way for me to feel compassion toward him after he has frustrated me for some reason.
post #10 of 18
1/29/08 at 2:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dillonandmarasmom View Post
Knitting on DH's sweater is the quickest way for me to feel compassion toward him after he has frustrated me for some reason.
post #11 of 18
1/29/08 at 4:10pm
Not so much knitting, but I find using a drop spindle extremely relaxing. I get a little stresses and 15-30min with the spindle and I'm so much better. Added bonus? DH is doing his best to keep me in fiber so I stay relaxed.
post #12 of 18
1/29/08 at 7:17pm
Yep. For me, I find spinning more meditative than knitting. With knitting, I know I can frog and start over if something doesn't go to plan, but with spinning, I'm stuck with what I've done. It's a lesson in acceptance.
post #13 of 18
1/30/08 at 8:16am
What a great thread - I'm glad it was revived.

I tend to knit late at night, when everyone's asleep and our semi-feral cat (he's been with us 10 years, since he was a teeny kitten, but still thinks he's totally wild most of the time) will come in and curl up on my lap or next to me and purr and purr, and with each stitch I mentally chant a gift I want for the person I'm knitting for: courage, joy, etc., and imagine a glowing flow of love moving down my arms, through my hands and into the item.

Of course, other times I just watch a movie on my laptop. But it's still important to me what kind of movie it is - no adult themed movies while knitting for children, for instance, and generally something uplifting or funny or sweet. So in a way, even if I'm thinking more about the movie than the person or my knitting, I'm still (hopefully) mentally in the place I want to be.
post #14 of 18
1/30/08 at 2:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pradiata View Post
What a great thread - I'm glad it was revived.

I tend to knit late at night, when everyone's asleep and our semi-feral cat (he's been with us 10 years, since he was a teeny kitten, but still thinks he's totally wild most of the time) will come in and curl up on my lap or next to me and purr and purr, and with each stitch I mentally chant a gift I want for the person I'm knitting for: courage, joy, etc., and imagine a glowing flow of love moving down my arms, through my hands and into the item.
Of course, other times I just watch a movie on my laptop. But it's still important to me what kind of movie it is - no adult themed movies while knitting for children, for instance, and generally something uplifting or funny or sweet. So in a way, even if I'm thinking more about the movie than the person or my knitting, I'm still (hopefully) mentally in the place I want to be.

Beautiful practice, mama!
My dog usually lays up against me, flops her head on my lap, and twitches her nose as the yarn travels across her face with each stitch.

I just orderd a copy of Mindful Knitting. Looks good.
post #15 of 18
1/30/08 at 2:48pm
I only knit when my daughter is asleep. But I need that bit of time each day. I will even forego that hour of extra sleep if I haven't gotten to knit. It is very focusing, calming and something that helps me feel like I got some time for me each day. Currently I am knitting a pair of socks and a lace stole. I only knit on the stole during naptime during the day, but every other row is a purl row, so I get to sit and think, make plans, think about my daughter, my husband. Then I focus on the pattern for the next row, and so forth. I have had a book on my Amazon wish list for a while now called Knitting into the Mystery about knitting prayer shawls. It is a practice that has intrigued me for a while.
post #16 of 18
2/1/08 at 4:31am
This thread is awesome!

Are there any books like these for crocheters? Or can crocheters relate to the general theme, even though knitting is the specific practice?

Thanks!

Pamamidwife, I didn't know you were a knitter...
post #17 of 18
2/1/08 at 5:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pradiata View Post
...with each stitch I mentally chant a gift I want for the person I'm knitting for: courage, joy, etc., and imagine a glowing flow of love moving down my arms, through my hands and into the item.
That's beautiful! And I'm sure it helps you and the one you're knitting for, too. Also, as a Reiki practitioner, I think this would be a great way to charge items with Reiki and kind of an extra good thing, since the item is hand-made.
Thanks so much for posting this!
post #18 of 18
2/1/08 at 5:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dillonandmarasmom View Post
Knitting on DH's sweater is the quickest way for me to feel compassion toward him after he has frustrated me for some reason.
Another great one... I hope it works for me, too... My DH is often more frustrating than not. :
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