Knitting, Glorious Knitting

Ah, the benefits of nesting. Both Alan and I are going through that phase of a pregnancy when you want everything clean and organized. If only this would last! I've been knitting up a storm again as well. Lucy was welcomed into the world with a quilt, knitted toys, hats, socks-- it is only fair that baby #2 receives the same. Her little basket of homemade things is quickly filling up.

Several kind friends have been nice enough to humor me about knitting as well: I've taught half a dozen people to knit in the last couple of weeks and though my teaching skills have grown rusty they still managed to learn well enough. A few are already well on their way to whipping out scarves!

There is something meditative about the needle arts once you get into them: the continuous loops of knitting, the cheerful rhythm of crochet, the neat little x's of cross stitch all provide a tattoo that can call you back to the world of thought and contemplation. Rosary beads made much more sense to me after thinking about them this way-- while there is nothing in the beads themselves the moving of hands and repetition of prayers has the ability to transport your mind and spirit to another place. Now if only I prayed the Rosary as much as I knitted! Perhaps I will become more disciplined and learn to pray while I knit. Any holy needlecrafters out there with advice on the topic?

Note: If you have a chance, check out this thoughtful post from my grandpa.