I am talking of the old handicrafts our grandmothers did that we have largely forgotten about.

Knitting for one, the Wikipedia definition of knitting is

“Knitting is a method by which thread or yarn may be turned into cloth. Knitting consists of loops called stitches pulled through each other. The active stitches are held on a needle until another loop can be passed through them.

Knitting may be done by hand or by machine. By hand, there are numerous styles and methods. Flat knitting, which is done on two straight needles, produces a length of cloth, while circular knitting, which is done on circular or double-pointed needles, produces a seamless tube.

Different yarns and knitting needles may be used to achieve different end products by giving the final piece a different colour, texture, weight, or integrity. Using needles of varying sharpness and thickness as well as different varieties of yarn adds to the effect.”

I know many of us look at knitting as an “Old granny thing”  but really they were quite clever and cheap.  For example a standard woman’s cardigan is between $30 and $40, to make this yourself would cost around $25, why not make it a group activity between you and your friends,  Perhaps a coffee morning and knit whilst you talk. 

Knitting is therapeutic and many people find it helps them de-stress after a hard day. 

Knitting is not just limited to clothes,  there are many online resources that you can find that show you how to make toys and home furnishings.  Or for those of you with toddlers Christmas tree decorations.

Imagine a Christmas where you are not worrying about what will happen if the baby or toddler pulls the decorations off the tree and throws them at Grandma or Grandpa. 

(I have children of my own and trust me that was common with toddlers).

 Or perhaps instead of sending clothes to a relative or friend who has had a baby near Christmas or even earlier in the year you could make a Christmas stocking which is sure to be well received and treasured for years to come and something that you can look back at and say “I made that.”

 Or simply knit for your local hospital who are always delighted to have beanie hats for premature babies or maybe make a nativity scene for your child’s preschool the possibilities really are endless.