Attack of the Knits!

So a little while ago I discovered a program that accepts hand-knit items for donation to the homeless. They promised me they'd even take my nasty acrylic yarns if they were knit into useful items. Suddenly I've been re-inspired to knit all kinds of things!

One of the big reasons I haven't been knitting so much recently is a feeling of inability. I keep looking at all these wonderful books I have, finding great projects and going "Oh, but I can't afford that yarn." or "I haven't got those needles". I came away from the things that were supposed to inspire me feeling nervous and inadequate. Nothing was being knit because I didn't want to take the chance that I'd do it wrong.

I've learned in my life that I'm missing out on a lot of stuff because I'm afraid of it. I'm scared to start a new hobby or try a new food or even talk to someone because I didn't want to do it wrong. Because I know so many amazingly talented people, I've been scared to try new dance forms or even push my acting further, not wanting to be mocked. I really hate attempting my school work on my own, because I don't want to mess it up and not have a perfect grade, so I put it off until the last possible moment. Then I hurry it through and don't get as nice of a grade as I could have because I was so rushed.

This idea that it doesn't matter, that anything I choose to make will not only be fine but will actually be treasured and wanted even without perfection, is very freeing for me. Here is pleasure simply in what I can do now, instead of what I will be able to do or should have already done. This is the simple present tense and I am discovering that this is exactly the right place for me to live.

Send help, there are knit things all over the desk and they appear to be getting bigger!