Knitting and crocheting by hand have almost become a lost art. When I went to high school, many moons ago, I was taught how to knit and how to crochet. My teacher focused more on crocheting because I believe it was easier to teach. I used to make quite a few items from afghans, to hats, to scarves, etc. when I had time. At some point, my life sped up and I didn’t seem to have the time to devote hours on end on one project.
As I got older, I returned to my handiwork because it is extremely relaxing and self-satisfying to make something that I created myself. I have also found that when I give a personally handcrafted item to a family member or friend, that they really appreciate the gift because of the time and effort invested.
There is an old expression that says, “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” I like to donate items that I no longer want to thrift stores as opposed to throwing them away. I also like to shop at thrift stores sometimes as a hobby.
I have purchased some great buys that people donated for one reason or another at a substantially reduced cost. The knitting machine in the photo above is one such item. It originally sold at Hobby Lobby for $39.99 a long time ago. I goggled the item today and found a couple of YouTube videos demonstrating how the machine is used as well as people who were selling it for more than the original price. I paid $4.94 for mine.
This is not the only knitting machine that I have owned. I purchased a large knitting machine many years ago and then gave it to my daughter-in-law when she showed an interest in knitting, and I received a hand knitted scarf as a gift from her.
I have found that the use of a machine may speed up the project, but it still requires skill, patience and knowledge of the craft. Just as a calculator is not a good tool in the hands of a child that can not add or subtract, a knitting machine is of no use to a person who can not knit by hand. (My opinion)
We all just have to stay focused until we finish a project, and have fun doing it.
