Why Smitten with Knitting?

{photo credit}

I know what you are saying..."So, she's smitten with knitting.  Who isn't these days?"

Well, I agree, but my smittenness goes much farther than that.

You see, I am a retired (well before my years) jewelry designer and small business owner.  I loved toiling over my work all day long while being able to be available for family emergencies without having to deal with a less-than-forgiving boss.  I also forced myself to get dressed for the job every day instead of working in my pajama pants like many of my prior counterparts.  I even had hours posted on my studio door for the benefit of those who mistakenly believed that I was being lazy or playing around all day instead of running a business.  The line had to be drawn between work and non-emergency tasks being requested on a regular basis that would have been impossible to do with any job outside of the house.  Aside from my business, I sewed my own clothes, quilted, embroidered, crocheted, knitted and painted for many, many years.  In fact, there was not much I couldn't do!  Making stuff is embedded in my very core and I still to this day have a hard time sitting around with idle hands.

So, what happened?  Dystonia.  The little demon that stole my happiness.  I recently developed genetic focal dystonia in my hands, arms and legs which causes painful, uncontrollable spasms in my muscles in the affected limbs based on certain functions that I do.  This painful spasming makes movement very difficult and painful.  In fact, I have had to sell my business and give away or sell all my remaining crafting supplies.  Well, everything except my yarn, knitting needles and painting stuff.  I was fortunately able to retrain myself how to knit (if you saw me knitting, you would wonder where I learned to knit like that!) and I just can't bring myself to get rid of my painting stuff.  I will finally attempt to use it, but as it stands, I have given up so much as it is that I just don't have the heart to explore that avenue just yet.

So, you see, knitting has become a big part of my life everyday.  I will be sharing my knitting with this blog, my journey with Dystonia and other tidbits I hope you find informative or amusing.  So until next time :)