Lately, knitting is hip and cool and fashionable. Hell, even Hollywood stars (Cameron Diaz, Tyra Banks, Hilary Swank, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock and even Marge Simpson) are knitting. So you could knit to be hip.

Knitting is an old craft, dating back the fourth or fifth century BCE. The oldest surviving fragment of knitting found so far is a pair of blue and white cotton sandal socks, made in Egypt. It has been postulated that the Egyptians invented knitting (my Egyptian friend Yousr will be rather pleased to hear that). Knitting can connect you to an ancient tradition. For many, a sense of connectedness, of tradition, is an important part of their life.

You can knit to be creative. Many mixed-media artists are discovering knitted fiber as a medium for expression. They make some crazy conceptual art shit. These items are technically impressive and amazing, despite not necessarily being wearable clothing. If you are an artist, you can use knitting as an purely artistic technique. You can be creative even if you're not the conceptual artist sort. Some beautiful pieces are perfectly wearable sweaters, hats, gloves and the like. They are astonishingly creative, beautiful and practical.

Some people knit for humanitarian causes or as an expression of social activism. These folks in the UK have grannies knitting bottle "caps" to raise money to benefit the elderly. What about relief efforts? This group helps Afghani people. Knitting has been used in antiwar protests as well as war effort campaigns (in WWI to make socks for soldiers). Many local hospitals have knitting circles which make garments for preemie babies. Churches and synagogues often have knitting circles making prayer shawls.

Some folks might think of starting up a knitting business. Over the course of history, many people have used the craft of knitting as a way to self-sufficiency, from the BOHUS knitting collective to this homeless man, who has taken up knitting as a source of income. Perhaps you'd like to start selling your wares? That's just a good a reason as any to knit.

A knitting business might be good for your wallet but knitting can be good for your brain, too. Natural Health Magazine printed an article touting the mind-body benefits of knitting.The brain has left and right-brain processes and folks usually have one side dominant (which is your side). The learning and thinking process is enhanced when both sides of the brain participate in a balanced manner. However, our daily life tends to put us more in the left-brain side. Sally Melville addresses this issue in her book The Knitting Experience, Book 1: The Knit Stitch:

"We are a left-brain dominant society . . . we need to get out of the dominant full-of-rules left brain and into the more innovative, solution-advancing right brain. And we get into the right brain by engaging in activities that are:
*physically repetitive
*intellectually undemanding
*visually stimulating
This explains the wonderful place to which my mind goes when I'm knitting. "

As for my own reasons to knit, I decided to try again for no apparent reason other than wanting to do it. I find it soothing and rewarding. I like the sense of process and completion and I am pleased with my (slow) progress. By nature, I'm such an instant gratification person, and knitting (along with some other hobbies) have helped me overcome that. The first time I produced a little knit purse (my first shaped object, using decreases), I was so happy I couldn't believe it and this gave me the confidence to try more challenging projects. I also feel a profound joy when I know a recipient loves the knitted item I have made for them. The thought that something I have made will keep a friend or a family member cozy and warm makes me feel cozy and warm, too.

Why should anyone knit? You might find that knitting is meditative or soothing, or that its tactile nature is pleasing, or that it allows you to be creative. Or you might just find that you tried it and liked it. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong at all.