Knitting as a Meditation: Winding Yarn
- Liza Laird
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
If you're knitting along with me (see previous post where I talk about the Meditation Mat) you might have picked your knitting project, and even your yarn. But before you cast on, it's time to wind the yarn.
When you buy yarn, it can come in a hank, a pre-wound ball, or even on a cone (though this is more common for weaving). If the yarn you're working with is in a hank, it will need to be wound into a cake or ball to knit from.
This can be done by hand or using a swift and ball winder. I usually pick whichever feels easiest in the moment. There are times when I know I will be winding multiple hanks at once, and if that's the case, I usually go with the swift/winder combo.
My preferred ball winder and swift these days are from Lykke brand. They are not only beautiful but sturdy and easy to use.
For my current project, the Meditation Mat, I have opted to use my ball winder and swift and to wind only one hank at a time. I am in no rush to finish this project, and so I'd rather wind one at a time, removing any sense of urgency I might feel to knit faster because the yarn is ready and waiting. I feel that yarn holds energy, and I find that once I've wound the yarn into a cake, it needs, it wants, to be knit. This way, I will take my time going through this pattern at the slow, mindful pace I desire.
My intention for this project is to move slowly and mindfully. So today, when I wound my first hank, I started by lighting a palo santo and repeating my intention. Then I took my time. You'll see in the video below that I sped it up a bit for you, but it's always so hypnotic to watch the swift go round and round.
Have you wound yarn yet? Let me know how it's going!
Stay tuned for my next post, where I cast on.
In gratitude,
Liza
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