How has KNITTING changed your life?

[Rosemary]

I am 68 and "retired" from a hectic career 1.5 years ago. I left everything and moved in with my DD to take care of my then 9-year-old granddaughter.

Trying to adjust to not being in charge was difficult. Rather than end up as live-in help, I escaped to my hobbies.

I have knit for years and years, but not very well. I saw a picture of one of Alan Dart's Gnomes and just had to do one. That got me started it.

I wanted to knit all the time. It doesn't get that cold here in San Antonio and, if it does, it doesn't last long. Needing an outlet for my efforts, I found a wonderful group called BlueBonnet Babies. Most of the members crochet (it hurts my hands too much for me to do it all the time) and we make blankets, hats, booties, etc for the local hospitals and for Fort Sam Houston.

In order to meet the self-imposed requirements I bought a low-end knitting machine. I can crank out the stockingette stitch items then finish them up with handknitting or crocheting.

This Christmas I was able to knit something for everybody in the family and they actually liked them!

My DGD loves to give her friends things I have made. She isn't quite ready to start knitting yet, but I do see it coming.