I'm an avid knitter! I learned when I was 10 years old. Didn't do it for years when kids were small because of no time and concentration but have started it again.

This year, it was "texting and/or reading mitts" as people want them fingerless so they can type on cell phones.

There are free patterns all over the internet with Ravelry.com and DROPS being two huge sources of all kinds of patterns.

Yes, it is highly meditative and knitting speed linked to heartbeat rate, etc.

I don't sew with machine so much, however. It's something about the many beautiful yarns that fascinates me and I will try hand-dying one of these days to create my very own.