I have recently heard a new term: Knit to Quit.  (before you crocheters hit the ‘close’ button, the term as I heard it is ‘knit to quit’ but ‘crochet to quit’ is just as effective)

I first heard the term from my mother who had just read the book “Summer on Blossom Street” by Debbie Macomber.

I quickly did a google search and found several references to the phrase “Knit to Quit”  including a website by that name.

I learned to knit and to crochet as a child, but as I got older and into business and technology  I set the yarn aside.  I picked it back up when I started suffering chronic back pain.  I knit to change my focus, to help me quit thinking about the pain.  I have heard others say that as long as their hands are busy with yarn they don’t eat mindlessly. Many people have found benefits aside from yarn stashing and handmade clothing.

I am currently reading “Summer on Blossom Street” and the ‘Knit to Quit’ class is attended by people wanting to quit something: smoking, a bad relationship, eating.

Some who have participated in my Knit and Crochet Bible Study say they use it to quit being busy.  Knitting makes them sit and even relax.  I have a hard time “just sitting”.  I have to have something in my hands, so by knitting and crochet I am relaxing, easing some of the pain, changing my focus, and being productive!

Some time ago there was a Canadian sitcom on one of my cable channels, ‘”Corner Gas”. It took place in a small town with a gas station and diner on the corner. In most episodes Emma would be knitting something. One day she commented to her son, Brent, that he drank too much coffee.  He said he would quit coffee if she would quit knitting. I’ll spoil it for you and tell you at the end, neither one quit.

What challenge could be made to you to get you to quit knitting or crochet?

God wants us to quit something. He wants us to quit sinning. God also knows this is not something we can do alone. God loves us so much He offered up His own Son as a sacrifice to help us. We will never be sinless, no matter how hard we try, because we are human. We can seek forgiveness and follow His commands.

Have you ever found yourself driving the wrong direction and needed to make a U-Turn to get back on the right road. That is what we do when we repent, seeking forgiveness. It means to turn away from the sin, not back to it. So we must “quit” that sin.

Using out knit/crochet terms, that u-turn is like ‘frogging’ a project. (Frog, think ‘rip-it, rip-it, rip-it)   And just like frogging a project you have worked on for so long feels painful as you see each stitch ripped away as if it never existed, so we must frog our lives, rip out those problem parts of our lives and seek forgiveness.

Job 11:13-19    “Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.

Our sins are ‘frogged’ and gone. Once forgiven, God forgets. He doesn’t keep a tally of our wrongs.  He keeps our names in the book of life. “He who overcomes will, like then, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.” Rev 3:5NIV

Why do you knit/crochet? What would you ‘quit’ by knitting/crochet?

P.S.  I just thought of this as I ended the piece so I will add it here. This discussion has been on ‘quitting’ something. There is something I’d like to encourage you to ‘start’. Pray. Pray while you are knitting. Pray silently, pray out loud; pray for the recipient of your project, pray for your needs. If you are not in a group setting, remember Christ is beside you and you have your own group setting. Now tell him, what to do you want to quit; what do you need; what are your grateful for.

You can find “Summer on Blossom Street” at Amazon or other bookstores.

Now take a look at the knitting or crochet group. Everyone sits around, project in hand, with conversation and laughter around. The ease of the setting makes it easy to talk and share.

Let’s combine the two. Take the ease and comfort from the knitting/crochet group setting and add the conversation guidelines of the Bible Study which is to be focused on the Lord. While the others are working on projects, one person reads the lesson and scripture. Discussion questions are stated.

With the relaxed atmosphere and hook or needles in hand, a sense of sharing instead of studying prevails. For many having the project in hand makes it more comfortable to join in. Insights are made with in depth discussions into how the Word has affected the lives of those involved.

That is a “Knit and Crochet Bible Study”. A few guidelines are stated up front:

All conversation must be God honoring. This is not a “stitch and bitch” session. Are you mad at your husband or children? You can speak but no demeaning words may be spoken. Male bashing will not be allowed.

You must be respectful of all persons whether in the room or not.

Prayer requests are confidential. They are not to be discussed outside the group. They are not to be forwarded with email.

Prayer requests must not be something that would be harmful information about another. Every family has secrets. Honor those secrets. Seek counsel from your pastor or another trusted person on a one-to-one basis.

Respect each others’ view. Don’t argue the gospel. Don’t speculate on the gospel. Use the Word as written.

There is only one gospel, but when it comes to knitting and crochet, there are many techniques. Just because someone doesn’t do the stitch or hold the yarn the same way you do doesn’t make them wrong. Work together without criticism of needlework abilities.

And there you have a Knit and Crochet Bible Study.

With that that in mind, grab your Bible, yarn, needles and/or your hooks; let’s get started.

When I started working on the lessons for the Knit and Crochet Bible Study we discussed fees and the idea of putting out the book as a PDF file quickly proved the most cost effective, especially in these economically challenging days.

Whether you purchase one or both current books, you receive a notification with a link., From here, download the files to your computer. But that’s not the best part.

Have you participated in Bible Study which required each person involved to buy the book and maybe even the  additional workbook? This can run into considerable expense with each individual possibly running from $10 – $25 or more.

Once you purchase from Knit and Crochet Bible Study, you have copyright permission to print as many copies as you need for your local group. So the breakdown looks like this:

Purchase one of the books: cost $27   ($37 if both are purchased together)

Now, you want to offer up a class at your local church. You have 10 people sign up so you can legally print 10 copies.  You can choose how to bind them. One suggestion I like is to print these on front and back, 3 hole punch, place in a binder.  You can charge each participant $5 if you choose, whatever the cost of printing is.  Then when you do the 2nd class, copy the second book front and back page, 3 hold punch, add to the same notebook as previous class.

You have full control of the fees.  Now you want to offer the first class again. No need to order any more books, you still have permission to print for your local group, so copy again.

No extra books to keep in storage or return to the publisher. Printing cost whether you go to Kinkos or print at your local church, are all predictable.

The cost effective method and low key format allows women to learn new trades, share their craft knowledge with others and expand their abilities. It also allows for less threatening setting allowing someone who has never participated in a Bible Study.

This is a great opportunity for intergenerational learning. A Titus 2 setting is created.

Additional class studies can also be created from the stories in the monthly e-newsletter “Purls and Chains of Wisdom”.

If you’d like more information on the books, click here.

Knit: Five Stitch Cable (found in” Beginner’s Guide Knit Stitches & Easy Projects” by Leisure Arts)

Panel of 5 sts on a background of Reverse Stockinette Stitch.

Row 1: (right side): Slip next 3 sts onto cable needle and hold in back of work, K2 from left needle, K3 from cable needle.

Row 2 AND ALLWRONG SIDE ROWS: P5

Row 3: K5

Row 5: K2, (K, P, K, P, K) all in next st, pass second, third, fourth, and fifth sts on right needle over first st, K2

Row 7: K5

Row 8: P5

Repeat Rows 1-8 for pattern.

Crochet: Garden Rows (found in “Beginner’s Guide 30 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches” by Leisure Arts)

Ch 27 loosely

Row 1: (right side): Dc in fourth ch from hook and in each ch across. 25 st

To work Front Post Single Crochet (FPsc), insert hook from front to back around post of st indicated, YO and pull up a loop, YO and draw through all 3 loops on hook. Skip st behind FPsc.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn; work FPsc around first 5 dc, * dc in next dc, (sc in next dc, dc in next dc) twice, work FPsc around next 5 dc; repeat from * across.

Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as first dc, now and throughout), turn; dc in next st and in each st across.

Row 4: Ch 1, turn; sc in first 2 dc, dc in next dc, sc in next dc, dc in next dc, work FPsc around next 5 dc, dc in next dc, (sc in next dc, dc in next dc) twice, work FPsc around next 5 dc, dc in next dc, sc in next dc, dc in next dc, sc in last 2 dc.

Row 5: Ch 3, turn, dc in next st and in each st across.

Repeat Rows 2-5 for pattern.

You see, the Sunday School  teacher was saying this is a passage that offers comfort. For me it offered something else to worry about.

I read and memorized the first line “The Lord is Shepherd I shall not want”.  In my immature mind I kept thinking this said “I don’t want this shepherd”. I couldn’t figure out why the  teacher was talking like this was an encouraging passage.  Then the next verse said “he makes me lie down in green pastures”.  He MAKES me lie down, like when I was in trouble and got sent to my room.

As I grew and matured in stature and in God, I understood the true message. My needs are met by my Lord.  He cares for me.  He helps me to rest when I am weary and keep running in circles.

Another thing I learned about the first verse of Psalm 23 is to look at punctuation. There is a comma after “The Lord is my Shepherd” which separates it from the thought following it “I shall not want”.

That’s what Bible Study offers; a chance to grow in the knowledge of the Lord. I asked questions, listened to sermons, talked with other believers. I learned more about this “Shepherd” they spoke of.   I had to become familiar with God to understand His Word.

The same goes for reading a knit or crochet pattern. I had to learn what PSSO stood for, and watch for commas and parenthesis in phrases like K2, (K, P, K, P, K)all in next st, pass second, third, fourth and fifth sts on right needle over first st, K2.    Or how about  Ch 1, turn; work FPsc around first 5 dc, *dc in next dc, (sc in next dc, dc in next dc) twice, work FPsc around next 5 dc; repeat from * across.

Pattern reading , like Bible Study takes time and commitment. You must learn to see not only the words, but the punctuation and the context of each passage. Context is very important. In patterns and in Scripture you need to know what is happening around the verse. My friend, Debi Stack, loves to tell about her favorite ‘out of context ‘ verse; Deuteronomy 14:26 “Use the money to buy anything you want”.  This is great verse to take with me when I head to the mall, but not exactly what is being commanded.

Sometimes a passage of Scripture, like a pattern, is understood more clearly if read aloud. At other times it may require speaking to someone with more knowledge. With today’s technology you can search online for errata (pattern corrections); you may also contact the designer in person via email or website contact.

Don’t become discouraged if the Scripture is confusing. Stop, take a deep breath, read it slowly, out loud, and take notes; meditate on His Word.  Most importantly, don’t give up; reach out and take the hand the Shepherd you DO want and rest in Him.

Keep your eyes on Jesus , who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there , in the place of honor, right alongside God.  – Hebrews 12:2

NOTE: If you’d like to see the full stitch pattern to those referenced above, check out the post dated today called "Stitch Patterns”

For example, I knitted a sweater for my husband, He found the pattern and the yarn. I was so excited he wanted me to knit something for him.

But the stockinette stitch was never-ending. I’d knit and knit and knit and knit.; certain  I had completed at least 4 or 5 inches of work, but no, only 1 and 1/2 inch when I measured it.

Anticipation: expectation, hope, realization in advance, foretaste.

Yes, I anticipated and hoped and could definitely realize in advance what it would look like when finished.

Several years ago we had sold our house. However, we had not yet found one to move to. As the day of closing drew closer I grew more and more concerned of where we would be living. Then at the last possible moment the perfect house opened up, timing worked out, and we made the transition right on time..

Several woman near me are expecting and each will be delivering healthy baby boys within just a few weeks of each other.  They have the nursery ready, diapers lined up and bottles on the counter, but they must wait for the right time for the baby to be delivered, no matter how excited and ready they are. They must wait, anticipate and continue on until the right moment.

I was reminded of this while weeding the garden last week. There, growing stronger and taller every day, was my favorite lily plant. There were buds everywhere, but they had not yet opened. Everyday I looked out to see more buds, no blooms.

Like the move and like babies and like the sweater; each has time needed to bring it to completion. My lily needs it time and nothing I do is going to make it bloom any sooner.

That’s when this verse from Habakkuk came to mind, Habakkuk 2:3 says:

  “But these things won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”

I continue to wait: I wait for the many stockinette stitches on a sweater to be complete, I wait for doctors, I wait for grandchildren to visit, I wait for my turn in the grocery line, I wait for Jesus Christ to return. “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Everything will take place, at the proper time. Christ will return. I don’t know when, but it will take place at the right time, it will not be delayed.

The wait for the sweater was worth it. (that handsome man you see is my husband):

and on my lily the blooms are starting to open:

What are you waiting for? Wait patiently, for it will not delayed.

Perhaps you should sit back, relax, and knit or crochet for a bit.

My name is TerryAnn, and I am stackaholic

I am full of ideas of things I want to make or do. Every day I scour the internet for more ideas and then I add them to my  stack of To Do’s. I print them off or make a note and add it to a stack so I can find it easily when I gather the supplies. This stack of things to do is so large it currently has a bookcase, several shelves and my desk so covered I don’t need to worry about dusting because you cannot see them.

Unfortunately my TO DO list is ten times longer than my GOT IT DONE list.

I am already pulling out patterns for items I want to make as Christmas gifts: afghans, dish towels, hats, etc

I am working on granny squares for my local Knit and Crochet Bible Study group to make blankets, scarves and slippers..

There are 4 boys within my family and friends circle that will be born within a couple months of each other. Baby items are on the list.

My sister wants snowmen she can add to her holiday table display.

I am trying to make teddy bears to add to my etsy store.

I need to write another bible study.

I have to clean the house and do laundry.

I must catch up on writing newsletters and sending them out in a timely manner.

And the list goes on and on.

There is nothing on this list  that will be life changing if I do not complete them.

However, there is one thing that is life changing and makes a life/death difference. Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior.

You see, Romans 3:23 tells us “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  ALL have sinned, everyone. No, I have not murdered anyone or stolen a car, but I have gotten mad and said cruel, unkind things in a moment of anger.  “The wages of sin is death” begins Romans 6:23.  Notice it is “sin” singular, not “sins” plural. Sin results in death. Well I am writing this, so I have obviously not died. So what is death? Death is eternal separation from God.

I guess I blew it. I have sinned and God doesn’t want me. NO!! Because as Paul Harvey used to say “this is the rest of the story”.

Read the rest of Romans 6:23, it starts with a very important word, but; ‘but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”   It’s a gift!  A free gift. I don’t have to pay a thing. 

I have this teddy bear I have recently knitted. If I want to give it to you what must you do?

You must reach out and accept it.

So how do you accept the gift that God is offering you? Romans 10:9 says “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

There is only one catch to this. You must do it before your body dies. And that could happen at any moment. In my own life I have witnessed death of loved ones by illness, and also instantaneous. That moment of death is too late.   “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” 2Corinthians 6:2.

Have you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior? Do you want to do so now?

With all sincerity in you your heart pray to accept Him as Lord and Savior right now.

This link to the Billy Graham website can offer more help as you seek to accept God’s gift of eternal life.  How To Know Jesus

My local Knit Crochet Bible Study is working on granny squares this summer. We plan to get together in the fall and sew them into blankets, scarves, slippers, etc for local Social Services.

I got started on some squares from my stash. I used 3 different colors. They blended well together with a fourth color.

But as I completed several squares I found I did not have enough to complete a good sized afghan, so I searched my local WalMart, JoAnn’s and Hobby Lobby. One color still remain unavailable.

So I finished off by making several rows of border around all the squares I had completed.  Here is the finished project.

If you’d like to learn how to crochet a granny square, check out the video in my previous post.

Speaking of basics, do you know how to make a granny square?  If you can chain and make a double crochet, you can make a granny square.

The ladies in my local Knit and Crochet Bible Study have decided they want to make 5” granny squares using miscellaneous yarn from their stash (or as an excuse to go to a yarn shop for more yarn. Me? Would I do that? My favorite verse is “she shops for the best yarns…..” )

But before they could make the granny squares they had to learn how. So in an effort to help them I have created a how-to video to help.

I am still having trouble with the volume, once I finish the encoding it drops so you may have to turn your speakers up a bit.  I also added some pop-up instructions on the screen for further assistance.

The thing I like best about granny squares is that you can make them any size you desire.  I have a number of afghans made full size and baby size in one big piece.  Others I have made are several squares seamed together.  You can make square of various sizes and incorporate them into one piece.

Overall it is a fun stitch, easily transportable, and versatile. I’d love to see pictures of your completed projects from granny squares. Here are a couple of mine.

This was a Christmas gift I made last year. Using some “Peaches ‘n Cream” cotton yarn the granny square became a dishcloth.

This granny square grew to be 45 inches square and finishes off this baby ensemble.

There are other ways of making the granny square, check out other patterns and find the one that is your favorite.