Why?

Last night, as I was working on Lady D, I got to thinking about the why behind my knitting/crocheting. Not why did I start doing them, but why do I continue?

Maybe this question came up because I've got two children in the house under the age of 8 who love to ask why. Why this, why that, why anything. I don't know. Let's explore this, shall we?

I guess the big question is: Why do I keep coming back to my hooks and needles and all those glorious fibers?

My answer, to be brutally honest, is complex. Well, maybe not complex, just many.

- stress relief/relaxation
- something to do with my hands
- I like to create
- feeling of accomplishment
- enjoy trying new patterns/yarns
- thrill of the challenge in trying something new and difficult
- thrill of victory when new and difficult thing was a success

To address these, I'll start at the beginning. (Damn, I'm boring today.)

Stress relief/relaxation: This one's probably a no-brainer and I imagine it's a reason commonly shared among other yarnies. For me, when I first pick up the needles or hook and slide the yarn over it, I can feel stress fading away with each stitch that passes.

Something to do with my hands: I don't know about you, but I can never seem to keep my hands still. I guess because I've always enjoyed doing things with them. Whether it's drawing, writing, building model cars (yes, I used to do this. I was a tomboy, remember?), woodcarving, years and YEARS of Cello and Violin (someday soon I'll talk more about these), cross stitching, working with cameras, crocheting, or knitting, I've spent a great deal of my life working in some way or another with my hands.

I like to create: Oh yes. I'm a very artistic person. Creating is my thing. Music, art, photography, home accessories, whatever. I like to make stuff.

Feeling of accomplishment: You know that rush when you're weaving in that last end? Yea, that one. It's spectacular.

Enjoy trying new patterns/yarns: I really like seeing how patterns form. Along with being an artistic person, I'm extremely mathematically minded. Seeing the logic and formulas behind an intricate lace pattern or a beautiful color design intrigues and enchants me.

And, what IS it that they put in yarn fibers that make you have to go back to the store to buy more, even when you don't need any? Specifically because you could conceivably open your own store with your personal stash. Seriously.

Thrill of the challenge in trying something new and difficult: Ohhh yes. I love to challenge myself. I'm a very competitive person. Not only competing against other people, but actually more competitive against myself. How crazy it that? It's sad. My husband has learned to just look the other way.

Thrill of victory when new and difficult thing was a success: I'll actually parade around with said item proclaiming how awesome I am that I beat it.

No, I'm kidding.

Actually, I'm not. Yes. No. Yes. Um... I'm going to plead the 5th now.

So, lovely readers, what is it that makes YOU keep going back to your hooks and/or needles and yarns for more?