Springtime in Chicago often includes stretches of chilly, dreary days, which feel heightened this year by the specter of the Covid-19 crisis.
If you're looking for a cozy indoor activity that’s been shown to provide mental health benefits, consider knitting. (Need more inspiration? Check out The Health Benefits of Knitting.)
Since the early 2000s, the art of knitting has enjoyed a renaissance. Knitting is trendy and chic, with books, articles and websites attesting to its popularity. Even better, there are many free online resources for knitters of all experience levels.
YouTube has numerous video knitting tutorials, which are great for visual learners. Press “pause” and “rewind” as needed until you’ve mastered each skill. Staci Perry’s Very Pink Knits video series is particularly clear and easy to follow.
AllFreeKnitting includes video tutorials as well as tips, charts, patterns and articles. Create a profile on this site to enter into drawings for giveaways.
Speaking of profiles, there’s Ravelry, a powerhouse social media site for knitters, crocheters and other fiber arts aficionados. Create a profile to search yarns and patterns, track your projects, organize your stash, connect with fellow users, join forum discussions and more.
Mason-Dixon Knitting, created by Ann Shayne and Kay Gardiner, features articles by fiber world celebrities. It also includes “how to” advice and a newsletter.
Interweave offers some free articles and videos for knitters, crocheters and jewelry makers. Interweave also publishes magazines, two of which are available on RBdigital Magazines: Interweave Knits and Interweave Crochet.
Looking for more? Overdrive has fiction and nonfiction eBooks for knitters, too!
What are you knitting? Or thinking about trying?
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