When I was in elementary school, my Grandma taught me how to knit. It’s been so long that I can’t remember if I had asked her to teach me or if she had asked me if I wanted to learn. The only thing I knew how to make until a few months ago were scarves. They were simple and I never had to pay much attention to them so they worked for me.

A few months ago, I joined a group on Facebook full of wonderful and helpful people who knit and crochet, who also participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Oddly enough, it’s as if those of us in this group have become a family of sorts. We show off our projects, whether they’re for ourselves, family members, or friends, and sometimes we ask for help from each other if a pattern is confusing us.

Recently I asked the group how they got into their yarn work, why they do it, and why they love it. Here are some of the responses I received, as well as some examples of their work.

“Having something to do with my hands helps me concentrate on other things like lectures. I have a hard time keeping both my mind and body still and my mind will wander, so in high school, knitting was my doodling. Now I often use it as a shield against social anxiety. It helps me cope in social situations. I also love wrapping myself and people in my work. Making useful things has always appealed to me in my crafting. Ceramics, soap making, quilting, etc. I love making things that have a purpose. Knitting is also a very portable craft. I can't exactly take my sewing machine with me to keep me occupied in a waiting room and books don't invite interaction the way knitting does.” – Shira W.

“I crochet to feel closer to my grandma, who I can't even picture without an in-progress afghan across her lap. Knitting and crochet are hobbies that give me a sense of calm and purpose. After all, everything can be going wrong in life but a knit stitch is always a knit stitch. A smile from the recipient of a handmade gift makes everything better.” – Kate P.

“Something to do while I watched TV. So I felt I really accomplished something. Stress relief.” – Amanda L.

“I started knitting after I got in the bad habit of looking at my phone while watching TV. I realized my ability to concentrate had become worse and my smart phone was making me stupid. I knew I needed something to replace the habit, so I took up knitting. It's been great! I concentrate on what I'm watching and the time is spent doing something tangible.” – Lori S.

“I love crocheting because I love working with my hands and keeping busy. My other hobby is chainmailling. I love to make things, especially when I can share with family and friends. I made toques for several of my coworkers for Christmas, and they all loved them! Here is a pic of the toque I made for the Chef at work.” – Erin M.

“The thing I love most about crocheting is that it is an art form that makes sense to me. I've never been good at other art forms, but when it comes to crocheting, I can make up my own patterns to create just about anything I set my mind to. I mostly make beanies designed after things from anime, video games, or movies.” – Becca B.

“I love the zen in the creation. I knit (all of the things!) and crochet (mostly amigurumis and blankets for the local shelter), which offer a nice counter point to my other hobbies: roller derby and off road motorcycling. I like that it can be as simple as stockinette socks and catnip balls or as complicated as a lace shawl with beads and cables, or an articulated Charizard.” – Gray S.

"My grandma taught me single crochet when I was a young girl (she was passing along the craft as it had been taught to her) but I never had enough patience to learn anything beyond a single crochet back then. When I was in my 30's, I thought it would be cool to learn to knit (knitting was a craft nobody did in my family, so I wouldn't be compared to anyone with it; it would be uniquely mine). Unbeknownst to me, when I started the knitting classes, I was pregnant with my youngest (I felt like a cliché after I found out...pregnant woman taking knitting classes!) I then took classes in my mid-30's to learn all the crochet stitches I didn't have the patience for as a kid, feeling like I was honoring my grandma by finally completing the instruction she started with me so long ago." - Yvonne P. M.

“It's creative making things and choosing patterns and fibers and colors, the repetition is soothing. I fidget and this gives me something productive to do. Plus, I can give heartfelt gifts to those who appreciate them, like my kids.” – Karen D. W.

“It's soft. It's relaxing. I love the feeling of wearing something I made with my own hands, or seeing someone I love wear it. And it pairs well with one of my other favorite hobbies: listening to podcasts.” – Veronica B.

“My grandma called knitting "Organized Fidgeting", and I agree. I think better when my hands are busy, and you end up with something pretty!” – Shirley S.

"I'm a musician. My art is made live, exists only a moment and is gone forever. I knit because it is artistry that is tangible; I can see it progress. I can fix it if something's wrong, I can wear it or give it away... it's remarkably practical art. I also use knitting as a meditative practice, to help with anxiety." - Julie P.

“It's meditative, but I also appreciate the ethical aspect. I don't have to worry about whether the person who made what I'm wearing earned a living wage, which is nice. It's easier to determine the sources of your wool than it is a garment you bought at H&M.” – Nicole B.

There are so many people out in the world who have figured out how to make amazing things with just some yarn, needles and hooks. There are also so many of us still trying to learn how to do these things. Even some of these people who have been kind enough to share what knitting and crocheting mean to them are still learning.

In my experience, I’m just now learning how to make things other than scarves. At the moment I’m working on my first pair of socks, and I even have two blankets in progress as well as at least three scarves. When you really get into the art of knitting or crocheting, sometimes you just can’t stop!