With winter fast approaching, new hobbies that can help keep spending time outside

 

As we managed to go to Paris last half term and visit extended family, I saw my nine year-old nephew was knitting something (yes, it is not for girls only). My own nine-year old daughter took an interest and grandma was happy to teach her some basics, much like my own grandmas did thirty odd years ago. I decided I wanted to have a go again myself. 

My mother, who is in her late seventies, could recall her childhood, when her sewing-loving mother would make almost all her wardrobe herself, hardly ever shopping for clothes, partly because she lived in the countryside. Some things surprised me somewhat, such as resewing a sock if there was a hole rather than buy another pair. Today such behaviour might be labelled minimalism or being "frugal". My mother is more into knitting and knitted many a cardi for me, my daughters, nieces and nephew and even more distant relatives.

My mother had sewing classes at school. I did not, even though I grew up in the same country as her, albeit in a different generation. Why and when did sewing and knitting classes disappear from the curriculum? According to Google, it happened when coed became the norm, in the 60s in France. Luckily, the same did not happen in the UK as my teenager had Food and Textiles as a subject for the first three years of secondary school.

At least, as I said, I was happy to have a grandma who taught me how to knit, as well as another who taught me some sewing basics. After decades of not knitting, my daughter inspired me to resume. It is especially right for the season. I thought I might knit a snood or two, as it is more convenient than wearing a scarf while cycling. I must say YouTube tutorials were a precious help while refreshing, as I was badly out of practice. This is not a snood as I went wrong somewhere, but I do wear it as a head band, again convenient for cycling while wearing a helmet.

While we were at it, my 11 year old niece was trying hard to crochet as she had been offered a set. Her British horse-loving cousin has also had a go and as a first project, a few mats for her Schleich ponies! I have a feeling that my daughter has a slight preference for crocheting, but we also really enjoy knitting. Of course learning either is far from straightforward. Loops get lost, stitches go wrong... and it gets frustrating, especially for children, but it is so worth the hassle. Not only they are enjoyable screen-free activities, but they can give you useful things to wear, as well as a confidence boost!