There are rituals in knitting. At least there are rituals for me. Small ones — a bit of magic, a little thought, some small comfort. It’s the same and different for all of us.
One of mine is the stitch marker. Which tiny anchor will I choose as I begin to knit? If it will serve to signal the beginning of a round, then it must be the right one, the perfect thing to catch my eye as I come to it, then slip it from left needle to right as I move around the circle. It is where I begin and end a piece of the pattern, where I stop to check the instructions or the chart. It is where I hurry to if I’m excited, or what I look longingly at if I’m slogging across hundreds of stitches.
If I need markers to help me count or space the pattern, then I have dozens to choose from. But that first one, the one for the beginning, must be chosen with care. It might have sentiment attached, or it might be practical. It might just “go” with the yarn. But I always choose it carefully, because even small rituals matter. Even tiny anchors have a place.
Do you have a favorite stitch marker, or a small knitting ritual?
Not Plain Jane 