Monday, March 25, 2013

Is Fast Better?

Confession time: I'm a slow knitter and I'm okay with it.

Lately, I feel like I've been bombarded with the idea that faster is better. I'm pretty sure that this AT&T ad has something to do with it. (My husband loves this campaign. It makes me twitch.)Then over the weekend, I got an email from Craftsy with a link to speed knitting techniques. 

Bigger, better, faster. We've all been conditioned to believe that's the best way. But, I'm not convinced that's always the case.

I mean really, is there anything cuter than the Fiat 500?


And what's not to like about a puppy?


Don't get me wrong, I like big. 

Fast too. 


But what's wrong with being a slow knitter? I may not finish as many projects every year as Miriam Tegels, but that doesn't mean that my knitting is any less valid. Or that my FO's are any less finished. There are just fewer of them. There's no shame in that. 

We live in a world where too much of what we do ends up being some kind of a competition. I've decided that my knitting is not one of those things.  
at

23 comments:

  1. RubyCMarch 25, 2013 at 5:47 PM

    Always enjoy the pace of your knitting. Faster is not always better.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cathie JonesMarch 25, 2013 at 5:48 PM

    I totally agree with you. Except right before Christmas when ten things need to be finished in two days. Other than than, knitting is slow and relaxing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. LisaMarch 25, 2013 at 5:51 PM

    I completely agree! Knitting should be enjoyable and relaxing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. CatherineMarch 25, 2013 at 6:23 PM

    I've thought a lot about that as well. I'm an english style knitter but I can fudge along with continental if I need to. I was doing simple projects to get myself used to continental, which even though I was getting better as I went along, never felt that right. More like torture. And the only reason I was practicing continental was to knit faster. I finally came to my senses. Everything in our culture tells us to go faster. And what's the point? more sweaters? more gifts? more, more, more? Enough with more. What is now is good. Knitting along english style, or whatever style you happily use to knit, that's good too. Once when I was ripping out row upon row of knitting at knitting group, a friend leaned over and said, "Embrace the Zen of knitting." There's a mystery about knitting, a koan and it's definitely not about making more or about speed. It's ancient and wonderful and well...yes. Let's embrace our knitting, slowness and all. Thanks for writing about this here. I always love hearing someone else saying yes to slow.

    ReplyDelete
  5. SandyMarch 25, 2013 at 6:48 PM

    I completely agree! I love the finished product of my knitting, but I think I love the process even more!

    ReplyDelete
  6. LyndaMarch 25, 2013 at 9:05 PM

    I believe that in knitting, as in life "slow and steady wins the race" There is a satisfaction that can only be realized by slow and methodical knitting, finishing and blocking; the satisfaction of a job well done!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousMarch 25, 2013 at 9:41 PM

    I could not agree more! Knitting saved my sanity during a period of bad health for me and my husband, and now it gives me a ton of pleasure every day. I'm not fast, but I do make very nice garments for myself and my daughter... I'll just keep being a tortoise.

    ReplyDelete
  8. LindaMarch 26, 2013 at 12:07 AM

    I knit English style, am slow and methodical too! However, my method is like the one that Stacey from Very Pink Knits does. It is the right handed version of continental, IMHO. This method works for me..

    ReplyDelete
  9. Vera AmosMarch 26, 2013 at 1:52 AM

    I crochet because its quick, but having read your post it has given me the urge to pick up my needles again I am a tortoise knitter too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. DebbyMarch 26, 2013 at 4:01 AM

    I am a slow knitter its what relaxes me after a long day of work. Its what gives me piece of mind and lets me think on things, then when the piece is done satisfaction. We live to much in a fast pace world.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AraMarch 26, 2013 at 6:37 AM

    So glad to know there are other slow knitters out there. It's about the process for me. I go off into my own world and it brings me peace.

    ReplyDelete
  12. ChristiMarch 26, 2013 at 6:59 AM

    Thank you so much for posting this blog! I knit with several people that make me feel like I'm standing still. I felt kind of dumb that I could not get anymore speed out of my knitting. Now I understand I'm not alone, and that there is something more to be considered than how fast I can finish and how many projects I can accomplish.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousMarch 26, 2013 at 10:44 AM

    I, too, am a slow knitter. And I, too, have tried continental style and it feels awkward. But I still do want to learn it and perfect it because I hear it helps on colorwork. And I would like to be able to knit more quickly so I can make more things! But I do enjoy my slow knitting, too. It is a relaxing thing.

    ReplyDelete
  14. BCGrammaMarch 26, 2013 at 3:19 PM

    Amen!

    ReplyDelete
  15. KirstinMarch 27, 2013 at 10:32 AM

    Those commercials make me bonkers. Slow-spreading cancer is better than fast-spreading cancer. Bigger potholes are not as good as small ones. It might be nice to be a faster knitter, but my hobby would then be more expensive or I couldn't enjoy it as often and I might feel pressured to do more just because I could. It's kind of nice to be able to say no to knitting requests since I can explain how long they take me.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wilma FlanaganMarch 27, 2013 at 9:57 PM

    I'm getting ready to leave for a week's holiday, and planning what knitting I should take along. It's not really a big deal, because no matter what I take, I won't finish it. Being on the slow side, I never have to worry about having room in my luggage for a lot of yarn. One or two balls will keep my nicely occupied the entire trip. Definitely a benefit of being a slowpoke knitter!

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnknownApril 3, 2013 at 5:32 PM

    I am a new and slow knitter, but I like it that way. I have been teaching myself to knit for a relaxing unwind. How can I really relax and enjoy if I am hurring through a project. Maybe this will change with time and familiarity but I honestly hope not.

    ReplyDelete
  18. muhammad asimJanuary 9, 2014 at 10:04 PM

    Top Ten Classified Website List, Pakistani Classified Sites, USA Classifieds, Indian Classifieds, Entertainment Articles, Entertainment News, Entertainment Pictures, Bollywood, Hollywood and Lollywood Pictures and Videos, Entertainment Latest updates, Hot Entertainment News and Pictures Funny Entertainment Pictures, lol Pictures, Funny Pictures and every thing you want...
    www.hotcurrentaffairs.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. bradmaddoxJanuary 25, 2014 at 3:14 PM

    The Best Lol n Troll Network with the Name of Lols Gag... Troll Images, Prank Peoples, Funny Peoples, funny planet, funny facts, funny cartoons, funny movies pics, iphone funny, funny jokes, Prank Images, Fail Pictures, Epic Pictures, Lols and Gags, Lol Pictures, Funny Pictures, Lol is the Laugh out of Laugh where you can Fun Unlimited and Laughing Unlimited.
    LolsGag.Com

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownFebruary 21, 2014 at 4:33 AM

    Make Money Online is very easy now, In Internet system we have now best earning system without any work, Just Invest some Money into your Business and Make Perfect Life time Earnings with this Business.
    Join Now for Make Perfect Business and Earn Money online from home.
    www.hotfxearnings.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. ryan jamesFebruary 22, 2014 at 5:18 PM

    Make Money Online is very easy now, In Internet system we have now best earning system without any work, Just Invest some Money into your Business and Make Perfect Life time Earnings with this Business.
    Join Now for Make Perfect Business and Earn Money online from home.
    www.hotfxearnings.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. UnknownAugust 31, 2014 at 1:31 PM

    Want to Make Website or Software...? Any Type of Website and Software and Desktop and Web Based Applications.
    Want to Make Now, Just Contact us at Skype
    Skype : Jobz.Corner

    ReplyDelete
  23. hasnain razaSeptember 4, 2014 at 5:27 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete