Knitting as Meditation

Knitting as meditation. I've often considered knitting a contemplative and meditative act. Especially if I am just knitting, as opposed to knitting while visiting or watching tv or attending a meeting. Knitting helps my mind to focus, to pay attention to what's going on around me, but also lets my mind rest. It sounds contradictory, but that's how it is for me.

I lost my Mom this spring. She had been suffering with a debilitating condition for some time, and I got a phone call from my sister telling me to come as soon as possible. I managed to get a flight for the same afternoon, and had about fifteen minutes to pack before the cab came to take me to the airport. I madly threw things into my duffle bag and left. Death can come quickly, or not. In my Mom's case, she lasted four more days after I got there. We spent hours with her every day, just being there, and talking to her when she was awake, telling her how much we loved her.

We didn't want to be loud while she was resting, so we each had something quiet to occupy us during those times. In my case, my sister-in-law very kindly gave me some sock yarn, and allowed me the use of her 2.75 mm double-pointed needles. I had been in such a rush while packing that I hadn't thought to bring anything with me, so this was wonderful. I have my favourite sock pattern in my head, so I cast on using the soft black alpaca yarn, and began knitting a sock. It was easy to pick up and put down as needed, and helped me feel more centred and calm, and more present. I'm not saying that I didn't cry and feel awful, but that knitting motion helped me move through this time, this loss.

I finished the socks the day of the funeral. There's no doubt that wearing these socks will make me think of my Mom. I miss her a lot, but she's no longer suffering, and that is a blessing.