If Bette Davis and her stand in, Phyllis Clark, from the 1942 classic, Now, Voyager could knit in between movie shoots, why can’t we find time to knit in between work and family?
As a working woman it can often be difficult to balance work, home and the passion the fiber arts into every day life. Many women across the nation every day try to fit everything into a nice neat little package called a schedule, but that doesn’t always include time for themselves, let alone time for their knitting or crocheting. Far too often projects are put aside, not to be picked up for days, weeks or even months at a time. Many working women sneak in knitting or crocheting during meetings, during lunch hours, early in the morning before work and late in the evening before bed time.
Unlike our mothers, and even our grandmothers, who had the ability to pursue the handcrafts at their leisure to create items for their home and family, women of today find themselves stretched for time and many only dreaming of the ability to spend time with their needles or hooks.
In today’s busy world, time is a precious commodity and finding time to pursue what we love can be quite challenging. Be sure to take time for your craft of knitting, crocheting and spinning. It is a proven fact that handcrafts can bring peace, tranquility, balance and even good health.
So, how do you balance work, family and life in general with your crafty pursuits?
I balance it by not cleaning the house, since I’m the only one who seems to notice the dirt anyway.
Clean, or knit? No contest.
I say knit Gail!
Ditto on that one for me too!
My life is crazy and happily busy with an understanding husband and two grade school children and a full time job as a teacher but I NEED my knitting so. . .I take my knitting to work so that if there is a meeting I have something in my hands to work on. I sometimes knit at lunch after I’ve eaten. When I can, I have my husband drive so that I can knit in the car. When we go to a football game or a swim meet I am always knitting. I haven’t “watched” tv in a very long time because my eyes are on the project in my hands. I have listened to lots and lots of programs and sports but “if I’m sitting, I’m knitting!”
You are a well rounded knitter Susan and I love how you incorporate your passion into your life. I too try to knit in the car, and take my knitting with me to the Dr office, etc. Keeps me focused.
I must admit, I also knit instead of clean >.< and, I tend to do activities during relaxing time (watching TV, reading) that I can also knit during.
I do that once in a while too.
As a college student, I’m lucky enough that I can knit (or crochet, or even do cross stitch) at my on-campus job. I sit at the information desk and give directions. That means that, even while I’m answering someone, my fingers can keep moving.
Balancing homework, and chores at home is a bit harder, but I find knitting for a half hour when I get home is a great way to unwind before I delve into those things. And I also do it before I go to bed.
Hopefully I can strike the same kind of balance when I’m out in the professional world.
Now that is a great job in my book and it’s wonderful that you are able to do that while working. I’m sure you will find balance out in the professional world too
personally I take my crochet out in the deer blind and stand while I am hunting, keeps my hands busy while I am waiting for the deer to come in, so I am able to get it in there and do knitting before bed.
That’s a great idea Deborah and busy hands are happy hands
I keep my knitting with me at all times. So at lunch or break at work: knit. Waiting in the doctor’s office, grocery line: knit. Catching up on watching DVR’d tv shows/movies: knit. Even before bible study/church services begins: knit. Sadly, the rug doesn’t get vacuumed as often as it should and my home filing is stacked up. So what? The recipients of my knitted gifts really makes my day when they are so happy about their items. It makes me feel good when a chemo patient gets comfort from the hat that I knit them. I look at knitting as a God-given talent and I share this as much as I can.
Whew – I feel better now getting that all out! Happy knitting everyone!
Oh how I love your comment Paula and raise my glass of wine to say “hear, hear”
I love that picture. I’m with Gail on the housework thing………..only when absolutely necessary.
Agreed!
I’m luckier than most. I’m retired now, so I have all the time in the world to knit to my heart’s content, and I do. But even as a working woman, I always found time for my knitting. In the evening while watching TV. And on the weekends. It wasn’t that hard to find at least some time most days, to knit.
Ahhh… retirement. I look forward to that some day. Enjoy your time Sandie
I love the classic movies and i appreciate and printed off your blog about working women and knitting for my knitting notebooks. Also i pinned this on Pinterest. thank you so much.
You’re most welcome Jayne, and thank you too, what a complement
And that’s my method too! After all, there are 2 other adults at home most of the day — I figure I really shouldn’t lift a finger, and I expect dinner to be ready when I get home (that doesn’t always happen, though!). I knit so I don’t kill people, just sayin’.
Oh my, that is good! I’m fortunate that my hubby does most of the major cooking, we grill, and I just do the sides. It helps when it comes to my knitting habit.
Ah. Definitely sacrifice the housework for the knitting. No contest.
Now Voyager! One of my favourite movies!
LOL, I love that one Nic
Now Voyager is truly a classic.
It is definitely a challenge to manage it all and work full-time. I agree about the soothing power of crafting. Even after a hectic day, I can pick up my needles and yarn and all the stress melts away.
It is amazing how it seems to relax you, and as you say, melt the stress away.
As a spinner, knitter, weaver, crocheter, etc. I try everyday (all day long) to spend time doing each of these. The only time I can’t is when I’m photographing, listing, making labels, packaging items, cleaning the house, doing the laundry, shoveling snow from the driveway or playing with my dogs. So I’m like the women of old that had the time to pursue the handcrafts at their leisure. I love my life!
Good for you Ginny and how wonderful that you can pursue the things you love daily!
I have to do this all the time! There’s just no other way to get anything done. But it’s not something I can do on the job in meetings or anything. So, usually, I have to sneak in a few minutes around my lunch break or in the car at stop lights or something like that. It’s not ideal. But every row gets me closer to an FO.
I think many of us do a balancing act, I know I do.
Reblogged this on Eremophila's Musings and commented:
As the days begin to shorten, I’m contemplating the resumption of my spinning and knitting….at least this year I’ll have a suitable place to spin…. wool that is!