Slow Knitting in a Fast-Moving World

midnightmamaknits
Aug 25
3 min read

I just came off two weeks of “vacation” (and yes, I use air quotes, because I still worked a chunk of that time - my day job aaand my knit work). The first week, I threw myself into a new design idea with gusto… and by “gusto,” I mean I frogged the same thing four times in a row. Four. Times. Each rip felt like pulling a thread of my own patience. By the end of that week, I was frazzled, frustrated, and staring at my yarn like it had betrayed me. It wasn’t the yarn’s fault. No, it was me, trying to force knitting to win a race when it was begging me to sit in the stands.

So when week two rolled around, I did something radical (for me, anyway), I stepped back. I sat outside. I let nature do its grounding thing, and pulled out a favourite pattern of mine (one I wasn't even going to design, I might add!) - the #TerraRidgeBeanie. No deadlines. No “new design” pressure. Just me, the yarn, and the water.

I didn’t even finish it before we packed up to head home. And you know what? It's fine. More than fine - it was exactly what I needed. Because the whole point wasn’t the finish line. It was the pause. The rhythm. The simple act of letting the stitches be enough in each moment.

Knitting like this - the slow, mindful kind - feels like exhaling after holding your breath too long. There’s no spreadsheet of rows to conquer, no imaginary stopwatch ticking in the background. Just a rhythm that syncs with everything around you, everything in you.

When you let yourself knit like that - even with a pattern you’ve made before - it’s astonishing how your whole self feels different. Centered. Grounded.

That Terra Ridge Beanie was my reset button. It reminded me that the win isn’t in inventing the next new pattern - it’s letting go of everything and coming back to center, slow and mindful.

So no, I didn’t walk away from vacation with a brand-new pattern written, perfected, and polished. What I did walk away with was a deep exhale and the reminder that slow knitting is not only necessary, it’s sacred.

And let me tell you... I still don't have that beanie finished. And again... it's okay. I think we go through ebbs and flows of productivity, restlessness and the need to be mindful. I am just in that mindful stage at the moment.

An Invitation

If you’re reading this, maybe your WIP is glaring at you from across the room. Maybe your yarn basket looks like a yarn explosion after three failed ideas. Or maybe you just need to be reminded: you don’t have to finish today.

Pat your project. Pour a coffee (or wine - I'm not judging!). Cast on something slow and intentional. Whether it’s brand-new, or a knit on repeat, let it bring you back to being grounded. In a fast-moving world, slow knitting is our sanctuary. And sometimes, it's just needed.

Crafting through chaos,

Stacie

Pattern Spotlight:

The Terra Ridge Beanie is a simple knit with amazing texture. The pattern comes in 4 different weights so you can choose what you're loving in the moment (I always go for worsted!). Made up of timeless knits and purls, this work is something you can knit mindfully at any time.

The beanie has a sister pattern too! The Terra Ridge Headband - for a quicker project and one that can use up some scraps.

Use the code MINDFUL* to get 15% off the the Terra Ridge Beanie.

Use the code MINDFUL2* to get 15% off the the Terra Ridge Headband. Links below.

Terra Ridge Beanie - Ravelry or Midnight Mama Knits

Terra Ridge Headband - Ravelry or Midnight Mama Knits

*Coupon code is valid until December 31, 2025