By Paige Botjer—

Every fall I take it upon myself to start making scarves and hats.

I take out my knitting needles and begin to cast on the stitches. And when someone I know announces that they’re expecting, I’ve already assembled the baby blankets in advance. I like to be prepared for the upcoming holiday and a homemade gift is more personal than then store bought one. There’s just something about those neat little stitches that make a person’s smile bright.

I’ve been doing this for years and it’s probably my favorite hobby (and I’ll admit, sometimes I focus more on finishing the baby blanket then studying for my finals). It’s rewarding, as well as stress relieving.

Now, the first thought that comes into everyone’s mind when knitting is mentioned is a white haired old lady with pale fingers rocking in a rocking chair as she finishes intricate afghans for her grandchildren. Of course that’s what television has led us to believe. True or false, knitting is an old person’s hobby; young people don’t even want to knit. I can tell you right now that I am younger than sixty. I am nineteen years old and I’ve been knitting for the past six years, because young people can knit too.

It’s a hobby that’s coming back to life in the younger generation. Being able to knit offers a sense of pride because each item is made with love, sweat, and tears. For every sweater that’s made there has been at least ten failures; but, through dedication, knitters and have the ability to think creatively through the crazy situations.

With all of the technology in this world, we are becoming more and more detached from one another. Honestly, I can’t think of a better way to reattach with reality then picking up this old hobby that can bring you back to a simpler time.

More often then not, teenagers are pulling out the scarves they’re making in class and on the train—I know those are my favorite places to knit. It sparks interest causing this age-old hobby to spread further. For as many time as I take out my knitting in public, I have at least three people come up to me and ask me, ‘what are you making?’

It’s a new phenomenon that’s rocking the nation so let’s all get together and pick up those needles! Check out your local bookstore for a How-to book or even do a Google search! You’ll be bombarded with articles, photos, and videos of tutorials. You don’t know what you’ll be able to create until you try.