Oops, I did it again!… but I have a few pairs of mittens, a few hats and some half-completed socks to show for my absence. The fixation is real, and the distraction is at least productive.

The funniest part of this is that I wrote this three days ago but then some yarn caught my eye at the store resulting in the start of another pair of mittens…

Knitting is the newest skill I can add to the ever-growing list of hobbies and interests I’ve picked up over the years.  I wonder how long this one will hold my attention. I hope it lasts longer than my average hobby, just because there are so many fun things I can make.  I must admit that my absence is not just from knitting but researching projects, and I have a partner in crime.  My daughter has also become a knitting guru, and she is the one who actually brought it back into my life.  She knit these super cool slippers and a hood scarf that inspired me to pick up my knitting needles again.  She also introduced me to https://www.ravelry.com/ but do not look at the link unless you want to catch the knitting bug because the easy beginner projects are endless…believe me. 

It turns out knitting is popular with those with ADHD.  Who knew?  I have dabbled in it over the years, but as usual, I get bored and move on to the next fixation.  This one has stuck with me for a bit now. I feel motivated to branch off into bigger projects, and I’ve already befriended the lady who owns the cutest yarn shop down the street. I am jumping in with both feet and liking it.  Although I am still processing the fact that there is a yarn store a few blocks from my house that is super cute, and where they meet on Wednesday nights to work on projects.  Friends and activities, what could be better?  Other than the fact that these individuals are all focused on a similar task, support each other with challenges, but barely speak otherwise…nothing. For me, this is perfect.  It provides a reason to leave the house, be creative,  do a task I am invested in, and to do so without the social pressures that tend to paralyze me. 

This solitary motion is calming.  It provides me with a sense of accomplishment.  It seems that knitting is a popular activity for people with ADHD.  A solitary, repetitive motion that allows for creativity and instant gratification.  I get to see the results of my work as it forms and the environment is calm and quiet. The knitting needles serve multiple functions, not just as the tool used to create my craft but also as a fidget tool that keeps my hands busy. I get all the things from this activity.  A creative outlet, a fidget toy, a cool project and multitasking provide the dopamine I crave.

I am left wondering if knitting could be a form of stimming.  The motions share many common threads, the rhythmic calming, repetitive motion that allows me to focus.  I have actually incorporated knitting into my wind-down, end-of-day routine.  The biggest challenge is stopping and not knitting all night, as my ADHD self wants to do.