There's Just So Much to Love About...

KNITTING!

Knitting is more popular today than it has been in decades. Some call it, "the hot new hobby" and even "the new yoga." Modern knitters are rediscovering this age-old craft- sprinkling it with their own brand of individuality- and basking in the joy of making something beautiful with their hands. It has become one fun way to take time here and there to simply slow down, take a deep breath and relax, balancing out the usually fast-paced, ever-ending To-Do list lifestyle most individuals find themselves in.



I started knitting last year at school. It was a great way to clear your head before studying, as well as something that enhanced friendships. I can remember the countless nights that all the girls on my floor would gather all together with their current knitting projects as we talked and laughed late into the night. Now, being back at school this year I have found knitting to be one way I can just sit in quiet, or perhaps listening to some peaceful music, and relax from a stressful day in class or at the hospital which re-energizes me to complete the next task on 'The List'.


Here are some fun ideas on how to enhance that relaxing time while knitting!

1. Draw yourself a nice warm bubble bath, put on some soothing music and start knitting. (Sadly I have not been able to try this out yet... I don't the showers at school would allow for similar results, however I am anxiously awaiting Christmas vacation when I can go home and spend some time doing just this).

2. Put on a classic, and grab a cozy blanket. Some good films for knitting are:
Little Women (1994)
A Tale of Two Cities (1935)
Breakfast at Tiffanys (1961)
Devine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)
Pride and Prejudice (2005/ 1995; the older one is really good but six hours long so maybe save that one for a lazy rainy day)
Sense and Sensibility (1995)


3. Make some home-made Hot Chocolate, sit by a nice warm fire and knit yourself some mitts or a scarf to fend off that cold weather outside.

Here's a good recipe:
(This recipe yields one serving, to make more simply multiply each quantity by the number of people you are serving).

1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, such as Hersey's European Style
1/2 tsp granulated sugar
Few grains of salt
2/3 cup 2-percent milk
1/4 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate
Dash of cognac (optional)

In a small bowl, combine the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Set aside. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the milk until hot, but not boiling. Add about 1tbsp of the milk to the cocoa mixture, and stir to make paste. Add the paste and the chopped chocolate to the saucepan of hot milk, place back over medium-low heat, and cook, stirring continuously with a whisk, until the chocolate melts and the mixture is hot, but not boiling. Whisk the mixture until frothy, then pour into a preheated mug. Add cognac if desired. Enjoy!