Knitting Through Life
"Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit either. I can think of no genuine "mistake" which, if repeated at regular intervals, cannot become an impressive and possibly hitherto unknown design... Knit on, with confidence and hope, through all crises." — Elizabeth Zimmermann
As a young mother, my sister told me to read "Knitting Without Tears" by Elizabeth Zimmermann. She said it would change my life. And so it did.
Knitting became my passion, and at times an all-consuming pastime. Simple projects provided rhythm so my mind could venture elsewhere. Complicated projects stimulated me to focus. Mistakes were ok. And the journey was as rewarding as the destination. Knitting upheld me when visiting my mother in the hospital and gave me purpose while waiting for my girls to finish piano lessons, band practice, or play rehearsals.
After I retired, I had many tests to diagnose weakness and trembling in my left hand. My neurologist told me that I had early stage Parkinson's Disease. I cried. A second doctor encouraged me to continue doing what I liked. I listened and decided to move on as though I were a healthy retiree. I got out my Zimmermann books and started to knit.
Knitting stops the trembling in concert with medications to help me think more clearly. It keeps me going when I worry about what is ahead. And it gives me patience and faith that research will find a cure soon. I give, rather than sell what I create. But in lieu of selling, I will teach you, and knit with you, and hope it gives you the satisfaction it gives me.
— Carol Ruyle, avid knitter, ipurl2cjr@frontiernet.net