7 Ways to Find More Time for Knitting

Finding time to knit has been such a struggle lately.  Between the cooking and baking, getting back into a rhythm of homeschooling – we’re adding a little more structure this year, homestead chores, camp chores, the never ending pile of laundry, and running a business, it feels like there’s never enough time in the day to pick up my needles.

But I know how much I need it.  Every single day. Knitting always makes me feel grounded and forces me to slow down and pay attention.

So here are a few tips that I use when life gets a little too hectic and I need a reminder to slow down and make time for knitting.  I hope they help you, too.

1: MAKE KNITTING A PRIORITY

I bet you schedule time into your day to cook and clean or run errands. Make sure to schedule in time for your own needs, even if it’s just a few minutes a day.

Ultimately, the things that fill you up deserve to be just as much of a priority as anything else in your life. Let’s treat them as such. ~Sarah from Yes and Yes

I like to get up early in the morning, before everyone in the house wakes up for the day. Most days I knit off and on when I have a few moments.  But for the days I can’t get a row in here or there, I have a dedicated time in the morning.  Just me, my needles, a quiet house, and a cup of coffee. It’s bliss, I tell you.

But I remember when my kids were really little and getting up before everyone meant 4am.  So. not. happening.  By the end of the day, I was exhausted and didn’t want to do anything.

If the more traditional before they wake and after bedtime doesn’t work for you, get creative. Take a few minutes during nap time. Hire a sitter for an hour. Trade time with a friend.

Put it on the calendar and make it happen.

2: TAKE A CLASS or JOIN A KNITTING GROUP

Knitters are everywhere, you just have to find them!  I found my people through a local homeschool group.  A few of us quickly became fast friends and we decided to branch out on our own.  For years, we would get together at least once a week at the park or each other’s houses {coffee shops as they got older} for an afternoon of knitting and handwork. We’d have a potluck and the kids would run off and play, while the adults would chat and knit or work on their other projects.  My boys tell me that our get togethers were one of their fondest childhood memories.  I’d have to agree.

If taking a knitting class isn’t an option for you or you don’t have a group in your area, start one!   Make up a flyer, be sure to invite the kids, choose a kid and adult friendly location, and post it in your library or coffee shop.

3: BRING YOUR KNITTING EVERYWHERE

The best thing about knitting is it’s portability. You can knit anywhere. Waiting in line at the store. Waiting for an appointment. At the park with the kids. Hiking on the trail.  At the beach.  During homeschool lessons. Riding in the car. On your lunch break. I even knit my way through a root canal once.  True story.

4: LEAVE YOUR KNITTING OUT IN THE OPEN

The adage, out of site, out of mind is exactly what happens when you hide your knitting away in a closet or cupboard.  It’s easy to fill those moments of time checking Instagram when you could be knitting instead.

I like to keep a project handy at all times. Usually, it’s in a pretty basket near my bed and in the main living area, so when I feel inspired to knit a few stitches, it’s right there waiting for me.  It’s amazing how fast you can accomplish something with only a few stitches here or there.

5: STAY ON TASK 

When you’re working on a project, there are about a million ways to get distracted.  Shut off your phone and step away from the computer. I don’t know about you, but I can waste hours on social media, checking my email or looking up just one more thing.

6: GET ORGANIZED 

Have you ever said this?  “I swear those needles were right here in this drawer!”  Me, too.

Getting organized was a game changer for me.  It’s definitely a work in progress, but now I don’t have to go rummaging all over the house for that fourth sock needle.

Here’s how I do it... keep all of your knitting tools and supplies in one place, so you don’t have to waste time looking for a needle, a pattern, or stitch markers again. I keep all my needles in an organizer, my printed patterns in a three ring binder with those plastic sleeves, my notions in a zipper pouch, and my yarn in a plastic tote.  And I keep them all in the same closet so I always know where they are located.

For my individual projects, I keep each one in it’s own project bag, with it’s own set of notions.  That way, everything is ready to go at a moments notice.

7: CHOOSE SMALL SIMPLE PROJECTS 

Small, simple projects, like this one, are perfect for getting knitting in and learning new things!  Plus, you feel like you’re accomplishing something since they go fairly quickly.

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I hope this guide has helped you find more time for knitting and has given you some simple, actionable steps that will make a real, meaningful difference in your knitting experience.

I’d love to hear from you!  Does your free time get eaten up with chores and errands or the rabbit hole of Instagram? How do you make time for knitting in your day?