Knitting + Walking, Fantastic!
During our glorious spring days we want to be outside as much as possible! With the sun shining, a gentle breeze, and the flowers scenting the air it feels wonderful to be experiencing it all! One way to do that is to take a walk. A more challenging way to do that is to learn to knit while walking!
Walking while knitting; try it, you’ll like it!
“Why would I want to do this?” you may ask.
Carson Demers, physical therapist and author of Knitting Comfortably, The Ergonomics of Handknitting, tells us why. In a nutshell, we sit too much! We hunch over our knitting and put stress on our neck, shoulders, and backs. Carson suggests that we get up and move every 20 minutes. If we learn to walk while we knit, we can enjoy the benefits of moving our bodies, being outdoors, and knitting at the same time.
“How can I learn to do this?” may be your next question.
Start by knitting a garter stitch swatch. It doesn’t need to be a large one. Use a heavier yarn such as worsted weight, one that doesn’t tend to split. First, practice sitting and knitting without looking. Feel the yarn and the needles with your fingertips and take your time! If you can only go a few stitches without looking, start there and work up to an entire row. While you’re practicing, hold your head up and look forward. Keeping your neck straight and your shoulders down will relax them and will aid in preventing injuries.
©marygtheknitter
Yes, a knitting relay race at Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival!
Once you can work garter stitch without looking, you can start walking and knitting in a safe environment. Choose a distance inside your house that is free from obstacles; down a hallway perhaps? Take a few steps and knit a stitch or two. Do it again. Remember to look forward and not down at your work. Be surprised because you actually can do this!
Now, take it outside. Maybe you have a yard you can practice in or a park nearby. There’s always the sidewalk! You will be astounded by how quickly you learn to do this. Keep in mind that you have to be bad at something before you can be good at it!
My Sister Knits has several styles of appropriate ‘walking while knitting’ bags!
The possibilities for walking projects include socks, hats, cowls, scarves, dishcloths, anything with a simple design. Start with flat garter stitch projects or stockinette in the round. When you feel adventurous, practice purling!
A bag that comfortably hangs on your wrist or arm is a necessity. My Sister Knits carries several different styles for this purpose. It can be one made expressly for walking or you can improvise with a bag that has a drawstring closure.
We encourage you to challenge yourself with this new activity and tell us how it works for you!