It comes as no surprise to anyone that follows me that I'm an avid, nay, an obsessed, knitter. I've been ever since I was about 10 years old, but getting more into it maybe around 15 years old. As a Finn and a countryside girl, knitting is very much in my blood and I love to keep the tradition alive. You can not survive the Finnish winter if you don't own wools socks, mittens, beanies and sweaters, preferably all hand made by a grandma, or me.
Hand knitting is super relaxing, the garments very useful for our sub zero temperatures, and it can never ever get boring because there is always something new to learn. The basics of it is pretty simple, and the tools cheap and easy to acquire, just knitting needles and a ball of yarn, but the more you learn, the more elaborate you can get with it. There is no shortage of ideas and pattern all over the interwebs, there is not enough time in the world to make everything on my knitwear wishlist. The original easy and cheap hobby will eventually turn into an expensive obsession where you start filling every space you have with new balls of yarn, better knitting needles, pattern books and extra tools. It's all worth it for me.
When I first learned knitting, I probably made a few potholders and scarfs, just some really simple flat pieces. Then I started to make wool socks, which I have made probably over 50 pairs, some following a pattern, but often times freehanding it and making up colourworks and details as I go. I have also made quite a few pairs of mittens, one that I wear myself (which is why they are dirty) is pictured below.
I've now graduated into knitting bigger items and wearables like sweaters, which I'm completely obsessed with right now. I've made four sweaters in the past two months, each taking about 75 hours to make, so you can do the math on how much of a life I've had aside from knitting... There is never a time when I don't have something in the needles waiting for to be finished and eager to start a new piece.
Chances are, if you are a family member or a close friend, you have or will be gifted with a custom, hand made knitted piece, especially thought out to suit your style and needs. It's a great joy of mine to see someone wear a piece I made. And I hate it if someone says "omg it's too pretty, I only wear it on special occasion". Knitwear is made to be loved and worn, all day every day until it falls apart.
Making knitwear is just the best hobby for me, I am always learning something new and I get to make myself the perfect clothing, customised to just the way I want it to, in the colours I like. But don't get me wrong, it doesn't always turn out awesome, especially when it's a new technique or type of pattern you are trying. I've made plenty of really bad and shitty knitwear, especially since I'm very much a perfectionist when it comes to knitting. There has been plenty of blood (yes literally), sweat and tears over the years regarding knitting, but that's all part of the learning and getting really good at something.
If you came to this post via this weeks Weekend Engagement prompt and have a good eye for detail, you might have noticed that 
