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.  

23 comments:

RubyC said...

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

Cathie Jones said...

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.

Lisa said...

I completely agree! Knitting should be enjoyable and relaxing.

Catherine said...

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.

Sandy said...

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

Lynda said...

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!

Anonymous said...

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.

Linda said...

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..

Vera Amos said...

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.

Debby said...

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.

Ara said...

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.

Christi said...

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.

Unknown said...

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.

BCGramma said...

Amen!

Unknown said...

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.

Wilma Flanagan said...

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!

Unknown said...

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.

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