Looking for a craft to teach your children? A craft which will result in quality, usable and functioning products? A craft which will teach them focus, goal setting and accomplishment as well as design planning and follow through? Sounds like a tall order, right? Nope, the answer is as simple as teaching them to crochet or knit.

Crocheting.
Crocheting is a great place to start, particularly for younger children, because it uses a single needle. Children as young as four can be taught to crochet. Required supplies include:

o Size J hook
o Favorite color worsted weight yarn.
o Beginner pattern.

Hooks come in a variety of materials from metal to plastic. Lighter weight hooks are often easier for small hands to use effectively. It’s easier to teach a child to crochet if you’re sitting side by side so a couch is ideal, just make sure the television is off or they won’t be paying attention. It is important to note whether your child is left handed or right handed as the pattern directions will vary.

Beginner patterns are usually blankets or placemats. Remember to start small, be prepared for frustration in the beginning and set a mental time limit or create a goal – for example, let’s start with a 4X4 square so they feel like they’ve accomplished something when they finish.

Before beginning any project it’s important to master a few knots, practice them, and make your yarn skein into a yarn ball.

Knitting.

Like crochet, knitting is a great way to teach children focus, give them a sense of accomplishment, and is a great way for children to keep busy as an alternative to a television, computer or video game.

Knitting supplies:
o Size ten knitting needles
o Yarn, preferably wool
o A knitting pattern or project

Easy knitting patterns include a scarf, a potholder, or a hat. Begin like crocheting with your child sitting next to you somewhere comfortable. Sometimes it helps to have your child sitting in your lap so they can emulate your hand motions.

Like crochet needles it helps small hands if the needles are larger and if they are lightweight. Additionally, choose needles which have rounded tips rather than sharp pointed tips.

Patience is required when teaching knitting or crocheting. Knots can be difficult for small hands to master. If you become frustrated they will too. Knitting and crocheting are a fantastic way to bond with your child and to teach them the joy of crafting, the joy of creating something with their own two hands.

Hats, scarves, sweaters and gloves, these are just some of the wonderful winter items that can be created and shared by someone who loves to knit. Fortunately, knitting is a hobby that doesn?t take too many tools to do.

A pair of knitting needles, some yarn, time and patience is all you will need, maybe a pattern too but that?s up to you. For beginners, it?s recommended that you begin with a simple yarn as some of the fancier yarns may be difficult till you get the hang of it. Also, depending on the project you have in mind, a particular type of yarn may be required. Take for example the item you are making, does it require a little stretch to it just as a hat or does it need to have a tight weave and not give much. Yarn comes in so many varieties and color schemes, just choosing the right colors can be a fun start to any project.

Just think in no time you?ll be knitting beautiful Afghans and blankets, or scarves, and hats for your family members, as gifts or even to sell.

Consider joining a knitter?s circle, you?ll have the experiences of other knitters to help you increase your skill and enjoy the camaraderie of others who enjoy the same craft as you.

Can knitting help you appreciate life? How can it help you learn to be still?

How do you know if you need to take time to be still?
By: Lisa Akers

We?re living in an outcome-based society. If what you?re doing isn?t producing a result, chances are you?re going to quit doing it. We’re just too busy to keep doing things that don’t make something happen. When you started pruning your to-do list, I would bet that one of the first things you quit doing was taking time for you. It could be that you quit reading for fun or that you quit a hobby that you enjoyed. You may have quit spending time alone and watching the sunrise over a cup of coffee. You may have quit taking a long bubble bath. Looking back on that choice, has it served you well? What have you lost as a result of not pampering yourself for a few minutes each day? You may not know, but you should think about it.

If you?re like me, you are looking for a way to find that connection to yourself and to really feel energized each and every day ? no matter how many times you were up overnight feeding a baby or comforting a child after a bad dream. How do you know if that personal time you chose to give up is really important? There are a few symptoms to look for.

The first is that you?ll feel like there is so much to do and not enough time to get it all done. This feeling of being overwhelmed is one of the first signs that you need to take some time for yourself. During this quiet time, you can take a step back from your frantic schedule and evaluate what is important and what is just something sparkly that distracts you. When you take a short breather, you can return to your to-do list with a renewed sense of clarity, focus, and energy.

The second symptom is that people begin to irritate you and you feel that they are putting you behind schedule. You may get angry easier than you?d like. Your impatience shows and you may snap at those you love or those who just don?t deserve it. Being impatient is a sign that you have scheduled too much in your day and that you don?t have room for contingencies. Taking a few minutes to be still can help you look at things with a new perspective. Does getting angry really make it better?

A third sign that you need to schedule some self-time to be still is that you feel tired. No matter how much sleep you?re getting at night, you just feel exhausted all the time. This isn?t so much a physical exhaustion as it is a mental one. You need to rest your mind and spirit just as much as you rest your body. When you give your mind a break by taking 20 minutes to focus on something that you enjoy ? to really focus on the present moment ? you will let your brain process all it?s functions in the background. Your subconscious will be able to put those memories and activities in the right storage place in the brain instead of trying to keep them all in the conscious memory. You may not think this is so important, but after you have spent a week or so deliberately spending time being still, you?ll see how much better you remember things.

Another symptom of needing to be still is that you feel like nothing gets done, even though you are always busy. This is a common symptom in moms. Doesn?t it seem like that you work all day and at the end of the day, the laundry is dirty, the house is a mess, and the dishes are piled in the sink? It is a common source of frustration for moms who feel like so much of what they do gets undone so quickly. Taking some time for yourself every day to be still will bring some wonderful benefits (as outlined above) as well as give you something each day that cannot be undone by someone else.

A final symptom of needing to be still is that you may be seeking a deeper spiritual connection or a stronger intuition. Do you feel something is missing in your life? Do you see others who enjoy their intuition and you wish you could as well? Do you sometimes feel that there must be something bigger than this? It could be that you are seeking a stronger spiritual connection and you just don?t have the tools for finding it. One of the best ways to make this connection is by taking time to be still. Dr. Wayne Dyer suggests that it is in the silence of the universe that God speaks to us. We never hear what we are supposed to hear unless we spend some time enjoying the silence of the universe around us. If you?re looking to meet your higher self or to listen to what your intuition is saying, then it is essential to spend some time listening. It will be hard at first, but if you will set aside a few moments each day to just listen, you will hear the message. It helps if you have something you can do with your hands while you sit. I like to knit, but almost any handcraft will do.

Do you find yourself in the symptoms here? I often find myself in each symptom on different days. That?s how I know that it?s time to take some time for myself. It isn?t selfish, it?s survival. You?ll have a much happier life, your family, friends, and colleagues will enjoy you more, and you?ll be energetic, patient, and fully alive. I challenge you to spend a week and see what happens when you sit deliberately still for 20 minutes a day.

If you need an excuse to spend time for you, then consider doing a craft that keeps you in the present moment. Most crafts are this way – knit, crochet, needlepoint, cross stitch, woodworking, and even candle and soap making. I even find that people making jewelry enjoy the serenity of the moment. It’s a great way to take that time for yourself and get a chance to make something beautiful for yourself or someone else.

Article by: Lisa Akers is the president of Be Still & Knit. Her company teaches women how to find peace and stillness in their lives through handwork. By discovering knit and crochet, women develop a new way to take time for themselves and share the love they have as warm clothing! Find out more about Lisa at www.bestillandknit.com or listen to her podcast at www.peacefulknitter.com.

Knitting is a metaphor for life. Don?t be afraid to make mistakes!

Knitting isn?t Skydiving – By: Lisa Akers

You know, one of the most wonderful things I?ve heard lately is that knitting isn?t like skydiving. There?s very little that you can do when you?re knitting that you can?t take back or even accept as a flaw and move on. Skydiving, on the other hand, has some very grave consequences for mistakes. For those of you who skydive (or those who?ve watched it on TV), you know that every move is critical. That?s why you practice so much. Knitting has some critical moves, too. Fortunately, each mistake you make is an opportunity to learn a new skill and to learn something new about yourself.

We all make mistakes ? every day we make a new one. Some are big, others not so noticeable. One of the reasons I hear so often for people abandoning knitting or never taking it up is that they don?t want to make a mistake. Sometimes it is the making of a mistake that they fear, and other times it is the consequences of having to fix it. Others feel like they could never let anyone see something that is less than perfect. Let me tell you a secret about knitting. It?s a human activity. It?s really ok if it looks like a human made it. Just about everything that?s been knitted has a mistake. Trust me. Even those expensive sweaters in the stores have mistakes. Chances are, you never noticed them. That?s because knitted items have a wonderful way of looking beautiful, despite the flaws. Just like us.

Mistakes are a way for knitters to learn a new skill. If you make a mistake, you get to see what that looks like so you can avoid it in the future. If you like the way it looks, you can incorporate it in a pattern and create a design element ? making the piece uniquely yours. Plus, you get to knit more! I am a believer in the process of knitting more than the product you create. The time we spend knitting is a great time for us to connect with our Creator. The more time you have to do that, the better!

So here?s another great thing about knitting. It really helps you achieve self-acceptance. Self-acceptance is one of those things that people who are high achievers often struggle with. I know that I do. I am always looking to make myself better or to change some aspect of me that doesn?t seem to be quite ?right.? I really seek other people?s acceptance of who I am. I know many of my friends who feel the same way. Of course, they don?t knit ? yet!

If you don?t accept yourself, you believe that for whatever reason, who you are isn?t good enough. Or maybe some part of you doesn?t fit with your image of the ideal. That way of thinking is preventing you from achieving the ?best you? that you are striving to become. It?s kind of ironic that our efforts to improve ourselves often prevent us from being our best. Simply put, every part of you is essential to make you who you are and to prepare you to be the best you can be. Even (and perhaps especially) the parts you?re not so fond of.

So why knit? First, we knit because it is relaxing. Once you get over the learning part, knitting is a rhythmic, natural motion. It is almost meditative in nature. Second, we knit because you get to make something for yourself or someone else. Third, we knit to be able to find some quiet time for ourselves where we can let our mind rest and seek the answers to those nagging questions. Finally, we knit because it helps us accept ourselves. If you can accept that you?ve knit something that has a mistake and still looks good, then you are on the path to accepting yourself ? warts and all!

Article by: Lisa Akers is the president of Be Still & Knit. Her company teaches women how to find peace and stillness in their lives through handwork. By discovering knit and crochet, women develop a new way to take time for themselves and share the love they have as warm clothing! Find out more about Lisa at Be Still and Knit or listen to her podcast at Peacefull Knitter.

The Benefits of Knitting Circles By: Lisa Akers

I was reading Stephen Covey?s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and was struck by something very powerful. He said that our growing fear and insecurity about work, finances, the future, and the vulnerability that comes with that fear is really paralyzing our society. Our response to fear is to focus inward – to focus on our own performance and our own concerns with the hope that we will be ok. That was a real scary thought for me, as I see more and more of that in myself and others. Can you imagine what happens to society if we all become hermits?

It is essential to depend on others to succeed to the fullest. It is only with the assistance of others that we can become the whole person that we could be. It is through others that we can develop all aspects of our personality. Our dealings with other people shape our personality and develop our interpersonal skills. No one ever achieved anything great by themselves, and if we continue to hide behind the “I’ll take care of just me” facade, we’ll never achieve anything great either.

So what does that have to do with knitting circles? Knitting circles have for centuries brought women together to share their experiences, to ask advice, and to encourage one another. It?s a fun environment and a learning environment all at the same time. It provides a place where women can go to find community. Most importantly, it is a place where that community does not stand in judgment.

This kind of community is a large part of what is missing in our society today. By “nesting” and staying home, we have abandoned community. Nesting is a phenomena punctuated by the growing number of telecommuters, work at homers, and internet chat. We?re avoiding people and choosing to stay at home where we feel safe. The internet brings us chat rooms, but we can’t hold a conversation in person. Nesting is keeping us from achieving all we can achieve. So, enter knitting circles! Knitting circles are a way to connect with the people who can help you achieve something great.

You must get out of your house to have a circle (or at least invite people over to your house). You will be able to share the common interest of knitting with people who bring varied experiences. You will have the chance to talk to people and share in their wisdom.

You may not solve the great mysteries of the world, and your achievements may never be chronicled in encyclopedias for generations to revere, but imagine the pride of knowing you’ve changed one person for the better. Imagine knowing that what you had to offer was exactly what someone needed to make a dramatic change for the better. Wow! You might raise a child, coach a business owner, write a book, offer your expertise to assist another, or even just listen and ask understanding questions. When was the last time someone truly listened to what you said? See what I mean?

This is the value of community and the value of knitting circles. Knitting circles bring women together in an environment where it is comfortable to share and ask questions. It is safe to learn something new. It appeals to women of all walks of life and all generations. Find a circle near you, come to one of my Knit One, Share Two events, or start one of your own. You’ll be creating a life-changing group that will encourage each to become more than they already are.

Lisa Akers is the president of Be Still & Knit. Her company teaches women how to find peace and stillness in their lives through handwork. By discovering knit and crochet, women develop a new way to take time for themselves and share the love they have as warm clothing! Find out more about Lisa at Be Still and Knit or listen to her podcast at Peaceful Knitter .

By: Lisa Akers

It seems a bit unusual to consider boredom and frustration to be a knitter?s best friend. I know that it wasn?t my friend when I began to knit. It?s that feeling that makes you want to give up in the middle of a project or makes you want to stab your needles in your leg. After you knit for a while and learn to enjoy the process of making stitch after stitch into beautiful fabric, you?ll come to see why boredom and frustration can be your friends.

Let?s look at frustration first. Frustration is a common emotion for new knitters. Remember that it takes time to develop your knitting rhythm. Give yourself the time to get used to your project and the materials you need. It does get easier and it does become enjoyable! But, what happens when you feel comfortable with your rhythm and then you just run into a spell where everything seems to go wrong. You just don?t like the project anymore and you can?t seem to get it done. This is where you have a wonderful opportunity to explore what?s really going on inside you ? to learn what is making you feel frustrated, and enjoy the benefits of knitting to be still.

So, let?s say you have a beautiful sweater that you?re knitting for your great Aunt. The colors aren?t really something you would wear, but they suit her fine. You have one sleeve and half of the back completed and you just can?t bear to look at it anymore. So, get it out and start working on it. Ask yourself questions until one of them really hits home for you.
Do you hate the yarn?
Do you hate the pattern?
Do you feel pressured to make the sweater and resent the person who asked you?
Do you dislike your great Aunt?
Do you want to knit something for yourself rather than always for someone else?
And so on?.

This is what frustration can bring you ? clarity and understanding about what?s really going on in your brain. Before you sit down to find out why you are frustrated, I do want to give you a warning! Not everyone wants to uncover that clarity. It can be painful and stressful. Please follow this path only when you are ready to see and change what?s happening in your inner self.

Now, let?s take a look at boredom. Boredom is the single most popular reason people never finish a knitting project. They start and knit about half of the project, then put it down because they just don?t have the excitement for it anymore. These projects are often handed down from mother to daughter and even then sometimes don?t get completed. So why do I think that boredom is your friend? Boredom is a unique place to examine what you?re really thinking. It is the place where you learn more about yourself than you thought you would. When you are bored, that is your best opportunity to look inside yourself and analyze what you are thinking and why.

When you are bored, you are truly experiencing the present moment. You can only be bored in the here and now. Congratulations! You have now achieved the greatest level of being still and knitting! Not thrilled with it? Consider this: when you are bored, you have an opportunity to explore your thoughts. Often boredom is the artificial barrier our conscious brain puts up to keep from thinking about what?s really bothering us. It?s easy to say, ?I?m bored,? and switch on the TV. It keeps you safe because you won?t get hurt by a TV show, but you may get hurt by having a heartfelt conversation about what?s really going on. Sure, it?s risky to explore that part of yourself, but think of how wonderful it would be to take a step into a closer relationship with yourself, your spouse or partner, or your spirituality.

You see, boredom is an invitation to sit and wait just a few minutes longer. The answer or path you?re seeking is just around the corner, and the discoveries are often just a minute away. If you will consciously wait out your boredom, that reward can be yours. Your subconscious and unconscious have the answers because they have been processing all the data while you were planning the weekly menu. Get past the boredom wall of your conscious memory and enjoy the fruits of your efforts.

I wish you all the boredom and frustration you can stand!

Article by: Lisa Akers is the president of Be Still & Knit. Her company teaches women how to find peace and stillness in their lives through handwork. By discovering knit and crochet, women develop a new way to take time for themselves and share the love they have as warm clothing! Find out more about Lisa at Be Still and Knit or listen to her podcast at Peaceful Knitter .