"Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of these things and still be calm in your heart." (Unknown)

Knitting is my yoga. 

It has taught me patience, persistence, and serenity. It has brought many wonderful new friendships into my life. And with each new project I have learned something new, about knitting, myself and life. 

I am a member of three knitting groups that keep me sane. The Tuesday night Jam Factory knitters, the knitting group that I run where I work, "Knot Just Knitters" and the Wallingford knitters on the first Thursday of every month. Knitting can be a social, silent or solitary activity. It can be just as restorative to silently sit and knit and listen to others talking around you, as it can be to knit whilst catching up with friends. 

And attending these groups has taught me to slow down, to enjoy the moment. Knitting is like meditation, it allows your mind to focus on something else, and put it in neutral, so that ideas come to you. 

I was surprised to discover today that the meditative effect  knitting has on me is similar to the mindfulness a colleague  tells me she has learned through practising Karate. It focusses the mind.

I use it to wind down after dancing. It accomplishes many things - it winds me down after the buzz I get from dancing,  it's become a talking point in the group, and if I am to believe my friends, it appears to have a calming effect on everyone around me as well.

I don't knit because I'm patient. I'm patient because I knit. 

Strive to become an oasis of serenity. 

Purlgirl xx

"Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand -- and melting like a snowflake." (Marie Beyon Ray)

Welcome to my new blog, about life, knitting and everything else (with apologies to Douglas Adams!)

Life is what we make it. Our hobbies can become our passions, and our teachers, if we are open to the lessons they have for us. I dance, I knit, and I collect inspirational quotations. And through these, I have learned much in the last few years. 

This blog is my chance to share these insights with you, in the hope that you may feel the same, and be inspired to share in turn, to spread a little sunshine in the lives of others. 

I will be posting about what I have learned about life, the inspirational quotations that have meaning to me, and anything else that can lift our spirits, regardless of what may be happening in our lives. 

So, although it will more than likely feature knitting quite prominently, and most probably dancing - my other passion - I hope that anyone will find something to appreciate here as well. 

Or that you may even be inspired to join us, and knit people together!

Purlgirl xx