Exploring the Relaxing and Therapeutical Benefits of Knitting

The knitting industry seems to be having its renaissance during this time as the number of people who are into this hobby continues to grow. More and more individuals are getting their hands on their yarn and starting to work on different fabulous items through knitting. While you may think that knitting is only for grandmothers or people who are expecting a child, you are mistaken. People from all walks of life are trying their hands onto this hobby not only because it is enjoyable but it is also proven to have therapeutical and relaxing effects on the mind.

Knitting serves as an avenue where people can unleash their creative potentials. Engaging in any activity that allows us to be creative actually does a lot of wonderful things to our state of mind. Knitting is not a very physically demanding activity, which is why knitters can relax while making their knitting projects.

This activity is also proven to reduce anxiety of the knitter. It is also an effective way to reduce stress and counter depression. There is a magical benefit that we obtain whenever we create something- whether it is a portrait, music, a poem, a story, a photograph or in case of knitting, a lot of fancy items and we get some positive and relaxing vibes from it.

This activity also helps us improve our mind. Knitting requires mental focus and helps stimulate a person’s memory and enhance his attention span. It also improves the mind’s visuospatial processing through the different knitting patterns that they work with.  The creativity of a person is also enhanced since he deals with an enjoyable outlet where he could pour his creative ideas and make them into an actual item that he could use.

During these times when most people spend their times on their homes instead of travelling, the demand for hobbies that do not cost much is at its height. Knitting has gained a lot of fans since it is very easy to do, but at the same time very enjoyable. A lot of people are also expressing their fancy on knitted fashion accessories, which makes the hobby even more inviting.

There are a lot of great benefits that a person can get from engaging into this activity. Aside from the fact that you could put your idle moments into something useful, you also get to enjoy the benefits that come with it. 

Knitting: Your Ultimate Summer Activity

If you are getting really bored lately, you’ve got to know that knitting can actually be an enjoyable hobby that you should try. There are two basic knitting stitches that you should know. These are the knit and the purl. While there are just two, the good thing is that there are many variations of these two fundamental stitches. You will surely love to learn about them.

Knitting can be the best thing if you’re just really bored and that you are looking for something valuable that you should do. It is also the perfect way to be able to improve your concentration. Different stitches are used for special techniques, such as the yarn-over stitch for knitting lacy curtain panels. Learning about all these can be your ultimate summer activity and it can get more fun if you will choose to do it with your friends.

The fabulous yarns will certainly excite you. You need to remember that there is a particular yarn that is suited for a specific project. There are different things that you need to consider in buying a yarn. You may ask for help from the people at the yarn shop. They have enough knowledge about yarns and it is a sure thing that they will be very happy to help you. 

Do you know that there are a lot of celebrities that are into knitting already? Despite their busy schedules, they still find knitting as a valuable way to relax and they find knitting as a good one to pursue. The lovely Duchess of Cambridge along with other famous celebrities like Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Reynolds, Debra Messing and Jimmy Hill share the same passion and that has something to do with knitting. 

While hitting the beach is one of the best things to do during summer, you may also consider knitting. A lot of people are into it so you must not be left behind. It is a good way for you to develop your creativity. You can come up with as many projects as you can. It may be difficult at first but the more you learn about it, you will realize that it is actually not as difficult as it seems. And do you know what makes it more fun? It is having your friends and family around so you can knit together. Make this summer your best summer yet!

Best Gifts to Buy a Knitter - Part 2

I am back for more knitter gift ideas. Well we can never be too prepared for the holidays, not to mention anniversaries, birthdays and homecomings, right? So here I go with the second part of my newly found list-of-gifts you can buy for a knitter. Enjoy everyone!

“I’m saving up for knitting lessons" coin bank.

I laughed out loud when I saw this and said to myself, “I have got to get myself one of those!” This is the coolest way to teach your resident knitter how to save. The best gift for a beginner too, because this will show them how much you care about their new-found hobby. Your grandma will think this to be a very thoughtful gift, coming from you which shows how much you appreciate her patterns in knitting. This is a very creative gift to give your loved one. Show them how much you value their passion for knitting.

Delicious Knitter Cake

Super "like". Yummy-licious cake designed for a knitting enthusiast. Your wife will go crazy over this, when you come out singing "Happy Birthday to you". I'd also recommend this as a homecoming gift when your Grandma visits. 

Something you can share with the whole family. It is picture perfect knitting lover gift idea, making it a sure Facebook "like" when posted. If you are a great pastry chef yourself, bake it and give it to your resident knitter on that special occasion.

"Keep Calm and Knit On" T-Shirt

Is your favorite knitter having a bad week? I'd recommend this gift. This will take the blues away. Available in various colors, you can choose which color your knitter would love to have. A great gift that promotes knitting and a thoughtful one at that!

Got wool mug?

Does your favorite knitter also love coffee? Well in that case, I have the perfect gift in mind. Check out this "Got wool?" Mug I found. Pretty neat and cost-efficient too. Your favorite knitter will absolutely love you. 

Whenever they take their morning coffee, they will not only remember you, but also it will help them remember to finish the knitting project they forgot to do.

Make a card for your favorite knitter.

I am a crafts lover too, not just a knitting expert. I'd recommend you make personalized greeting cards with your favorite knitter's picture printed on it. Saying, "You know knitting and I love you?” Print it out and place on your knitter's refrigerator, or better yet, on top of their latest knitting project. It will be a pleasant surprise to read a handmade/personalized greeting card from a loved one before the knitting lessons start.

Needle Travel Kit

If your knitter tends to travel from place to place, and couldn't quite stay in one location. Well, they don’t have to sacrifice their love for knitting for work. Buying this for your loved one will help them catch up on their knitting wherever they go. Best of all, even if they go to another country or some faraway place, you will be remembered as they knit away.

Hope you loved our gift ideas. Happy Knitting! Visit the Ball of Yarn at 156-A Granada Blvd. Ormond Beach Florida 32174. Call (386) 672-2858 Today!

PART 2: Basic Crochet Stitches Worth – learning for Practice

Through sharing our knowledge to our store visitors, website subscribers and avid readers, we continue to enrich peoples’ lives by making sure the crafts live on. One day our children will continue what we started and we hope in your families, it does the same.

We were brought up and molded with generations of our passion for creative creation.Creativity is in our blood. Our day to day activities always include making beautiful things with our hands. Our daily mission is innovation in this 21st century we will live in, our mantra, the craft must not be forgotten.

“Every piece I make has a little part of you in it. I incorporate my love, passion and purpose into every stitch, every hook, every knitting pattern to bring life to my own unique creation, to be given as a gift come Christmas and Birthdays, integrating your favorite colors, remembering your needs, thinking of your personality and putting in a little bit of childhood memories into the finished crochet-knitting master piece.”

That is what my grandma used to say to me every time I see her sitting near our fire place early evenings. I grew up hearing the soft and familiar click-clack of knitting needles dancing together, creating beautiful things out of a simple ball of yarn.

I have placed below some of the things you might want to learn, below are variations of each sample stitching pattern.

Tunisian Crochet Stitches

• Tunisian Crochet
• Afghan Stitch
• Tunisian Knit Stitch

Who would not fall in love with this creation? Yes, handmade marvelous fabric which you can turn into lamp covers, cell phone holders, baby pillows, blankets and table cloths…not to mention a very pretty blouse or skirt. Learning this stitch will bring you a long way.

The Tunisian crochet is one of the most popular techniques. Learning this stitch will give you an even wider understanding of the varieties of designs you can incorporate into your own wearable crochet-knitting handiwork.

One can create this using Needlework technique resulting to a finished eye-catching and charming fabric. This needlework borrows fundamentals from both crochet and knitting which produces a fusion of the two techniques. Commonly, you will be using a hook noticeably longer than the traditional crochet hook.

Edges, Trims and Fringes

• Picots
• Lacy V’s
• Borders
• Crochet Edging Patterns
• Easy Crochet Afghan Edging
• Vertical Edging
• Fringe making
• Open worked Crochet Edgings
• Borders for Blankets
• Checkered
• Crochet Afghan Edgings

Your foundation as an artist will start by learning and knowing the basic crochet stitches. One should be familiar with these basic crochet building blocks will allow your creativity to take you places as you start combining your pieces to create your own personal crochet wearable work of art.

Feel free to visit our website, www.theballofyarn.com for samples crochet patterns to try at home.

PART 1: Basic Crochet Stitches Worth – learning for Practice

Times have changed in this digital world and age, but one thing is certain--- Age old traditions and hobbies of creativity have survived to still bring color into people’s lives. As my grandma used to say about knitting and crochet, “Every piece I make has a little part of you in it. I incorporate my love, passion and purpose into every stitch, every hook, every knitting pattern to bring life to my own unique creation, to be given as a gift come Christmas and Birthdays, integrating your favorite colors, remembering your needs, thinking of your personality and putting in a little bit of childhood memories into the finished crochet-knitting master piece.”

Your foundation as an artist will start by learning and knowing the basic crochet stitches. One should be familiar with these basic crochet building blocks will allow your creativity to take you places as you start combining your pieces to create your own personal crochet wearable work of art.

Let me give you a rundown of things I learned while I was growing up. You can do your own research on each type. I will see what I can do to give you updated posts and articles next time with more details.

Basic Crochet Stitches
• Single Crochet
• Single Crochet Stitch
• Single Crochet Stitch Variations
• Back Loop Single Crochet Stitch
• Chain Stitch
• Double Crochet
• Double Crochet Stitch Variations
• Slip Stitch
• Half Double Crochet Stitch
• Striped Back Loop Single Crochet Stitch
• Surface Crochet Slip Stitches
• Treble Crochet Stitch
• Double Treble Stitch
• Double Treble Variations
• Triple Treble Stitch
• Triple Treble Variations
• V Stitch
• Cluster Stitch
• Lace Stitch
• Openwork Stitch
• Shell Stitch
• Post Stitch
• Spike Stitch
• Tunisian Crochet Stitch
• Tunisian Technique variations

I have placed below some of the things you might want to learn, below are variations of each sampled stitching pattern.

V Stitches

• Basic V Stitch
• V Stitch in Brick Repeat
• Lacy Interrupted V Stitch

 “V” is for victory. This typical stitch features all forms of “V”. Once you make your first, it does feel victorious. It creates a fine-looking knitting pattern when the crochet stitches are linked together. Numerous variations will allow you to create wearable pieces in different crocheted colors. I recommend, let your imagination run free as you explore making “V” stitches.

Spike Stitches

• Spike stitch
• Long Single Crochet stitch
• Staggered Spike Stitch Stripes

Intriguing is what I would describe it. The first time I saw a finished crochet piece with this stitch, I felt it lovingly with my fingers. I loved the zigzag of the lines, the ins and outs of it.

Shell Stitches
• Shell Stitch
• Solid Shell Stitch
• Treble Shell
• Half double Crochet Shell
• Two Color Treble Crochet Shell Stitch

I adore this knitting stitch. If you feel like going to the ocean or the beach but unable to do so, try this

relaxing piece to create, like the name implies, shell crochet stitches which resemble bivalve seashells. . Showcase your love for the sea, by producing this knitting stitch pattern though the combination of crochet stated above. The design is a combination created by working more than one stitch into the same stitch.

Feel free to visit our website, www.theballofyarn.com for samples crochet patterns to try at home.