Purls of wisdom

Milly Kelly reveals how knitting is helping her cope with a hot, challenging summer

Heatwaves and knitting aren’t things that most people put together but I think they’re a match made in heaven. Despite being an August baby I am not a fan of summer particularly (I much prefer cardigan weather!) and I did not enjoy the heatwaves that hit Britain this August. Extreme temperatures make everything so much harder to do, whether it’s giving your garden a good going-over, walking to the shops or keeping your child cool and protected from the sun. So we stuck to the shade when it was too hot to contemplate anything other than trying to keep as still as possible and hope for a breeze. And I knitted – the only thing that didn’t break me out in a sweat.

NEVER SITTING STILL

I’m rubbish at sitting still. And I hate the idea of being always on my phone, and my child seeing me always on my phone. But when he was enjoying being in the shade, playing with his toys and shouting, “BUZZY BEE!” I’d get out my knitting and watch him learn and explore nature. Sometimes he would watch me knit, he seemed fascinated by the movements and motions. He’d look from me to the knitting and back again, smile and say “Mama’s knitting.” My heart sang! I’ve been so lucky to have these lovely interactions to lift my spirits because a heatwave AND an unprecedented global pandemic could be considered quite stressful! I’ve always knitted to calm my anxiety so in recent months it’s become even more important.

FAVOURITE THERAPY

When I lost my job due to the pandemic my husband very sweetly bought a handy holdall for my knitting projects as a surprise to cheer me up. While it didn’t quite make up for losing my job I can’t deny that slotting all my needles into their dedicated spaces and threading my yarn through the special holes designed to keep all your balls from getting tangled was very pleasing. Of course, a new bag means a new project! Apart from bees and knitting my son also loves strawberries, so I’ve decided to knit him a strawberry cardigan, however, handling wool or synthetic yarn during a heatwave is not ideal. Handling cotton, however, is perfect. The pattern calls for a worsted yarn which I was pleasantly surprised to learn I could find 100% cotton options for. I chose the Paintbox recycled cotton worsted and a jolly red Paintbox cotton for the strawberries.

STAYING DISCIPLINED

It has been VERY tempting to get started on the strawberry cardi but I promised myself I would finish my current project first. Another lightweight cotton cardigan – for me! The swirly waves of the pattern make me think of the sea. It’s also made me think about the yarns I use in my other projects. I’ve found that wearing natural fibres has been the only way to cope during this long, hot summer. If this hot weather continues I might use the left over cotton from mine and my son’s cardies to make some lightweight dishcloths – quick to knit, light to hold and handle and a lovely way of using up left-over yarn, as well as help the environment by not buying any new or disposable dishcloths. There are lots of things that have made me feel overwhelmed, disheartened and sad during this summer, but knitting keeps me cool, calm and collected.

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