Why grandmoms hobbies?
I love knitting and crocheting. Crafting gives me a moment of my own, peace of mind, my therapy. I love to watch tv while knitting with no rush, or listening to lectures and keeping my hands busy at the same time. Crafts are my “get away” from my scheduled life as a mother and a student. That is why I say that knitting is my yoga. Besides, knitting is trending with young people as we speak!
Where it all begun
My knitting started slowly in October 2015, when I saw Niina Laitinen’s ”knitting christmas calendar” in facebook. She posted few rows daily, so that by christmas you had a beautiful pair of woollen socks. Her directions were readable and easy, and the pace was slow enough for a beginner like myself. Since that I’ve knitted hundreds of pairs of socks and mittens, but I always return for her calendar. It has become my own christmas calendar and I start my descending to a peaceful holiday every year with it.
My first bigger crochet-work was the Mandala Madness by Helen Shrimpton. She did also video-instructions on how-to-crochet each section and that made it easier to do this.
Since then I have done a couple more blankets, for example Kalevala-peitto. I made two of these in different colors. This blanket was designed in honor of Finland turning one hundred years.
My Go-to’s
You can find instructions to knitting and crocheting easily from YouTube , blogs or e-shops, such as Novita ans Lankava. I have listed some of my favourite blogs:
- Niina Laitinen designs
- Lumi Karmitsa
- Knitting Lotta
- Ennsjak
- Rakkaudella Henna
- Susimiu
- kotikotoni
- mijocrochet
- molla mills
You can also buy patterns straight from the designers page, or use apps like Ravelry.
Cal and Kal
Knit-a-Long and Crochet-a-Long. Super-fun crafts, done in pieces and small parts. Designers make timed posts in their websites or facebook pages (or other social media accounts). One knits two socks at the same time. This way you get the patterns for free, later on they might cost you something.
People, who don’t do crafts, often mix knitting and crocheting. That´s all right. So did I in the beginning 
How do you get peace of mind? How do you relax?
Just pick up a hook and have a good time!