It's the end of the day, and you are exhausted. You gave a huge presentation at work this morning, and after breathing a sigh of relief that it was over, you sat at your desk and started to tackle the next big task. You look up, and it's time to leave for daycare pick-up. Once the kiddos are home and snacks are shared, you dive into your familiar routines - playing, making, and eating dinner, bath, books, and bed.

You scramble to do the dishes and clean up the mess from the day. But then what?

You sit on the couch, ready to relax and unwind, but you…can't.

UGH.

Or it's been a day full of disasters. You spilled your coffee on your blouse in your rush to get to work on time. The strap on your shoe breaks, and you break a nail when you catch yourself. The kids have been trading tantrums all afternoon and refuse to eat any snacks even though you know they're just hangry. You hang on just long enough to get them through their bedtime routines.

You sit on the couch, ready to relax and unwind, but you…can't.

UGH.

You work hard. Knit harder.

You work so hard, day in and day out. So when you take the time to play and pick up your knitting, you deserve to delight in every stitch.

Take whatever you face during the day and lean into your knitting to counteract it and balance you out.

Lean into intriguing lace & cable stitches or tackle a new technique to focus your mind.

Lean on restorative stitches to let your body take over so your mind can wander and take a break.

5 Ways to Knit Hard

Rule #1: Choose the Right Pattern

You shouldn't have to overthink your pattern choice. You should be able to have a library of patterns that are clear and easy to understand. You deserve to have patterns that will seamlessly blend into your wardrobe. And you deserve to have patterns that will fit your body.

Because you are deserving.

Obviously, I think you should choose one of my patterns, but even if you don't, don't settle for anything less than this: fit, feeling, and function.

Rule #2: Choose the Right Yarn

It can be difficult to find a yarn that strikes that perfect balance between durability and luxury. Because while you want your knits to last, you should also delight in the making.

When you knit hard, you can find that tricky balance between a fiber that stands up to the everyday wear and tear of life and a fiber that feels incredible against your skin. A fiber that can withstand the stress of travel but that feels like home when you slip it over your shoulders.

So, what yarns do you choose? Look for non-superwash wools, cotton, and linen for durability, strength, softness, and a feminine drape. I tend to favor fingering weight & sport weight yarns for a few reasons: value with the yardage, easier fit refinements across the size range thanks to more stitches per inch, and the ability to enjoy a project for longer.

Rule #3: Lean into a Challenge

On the days when, no matter how hard you try, you just can't relax, lean into a (knit) challenge. Trying to learn something new does an interesting thing to your brain. It slows it down. It starts to focus. Your breathing slows. You push out all the stray thoughts to work on just this one thing.

So when you can't get your mind to quiet down, try a new finishing technique or stitch pattern, a new construction, or short rows. Whatever challenge you choose, lean into it. Take a breath and take one small step at a time.

Look at everything you've done today. You can do this, too. I promise.

Rule #4: Lean on Simple

For those other days, the days when you just can't take another thing coming at you, find solace in simple knitting. Choose something with garter stitch or stockinette stitch, and let muscle memory take over. Channel your breath into a simple textured stitch.

Knit one, purl one. Breathe in, breathe out.

Taking time out with a project like that will be just the ticket to feeling calm and restored. Ready to take on another day and another (inevitable) toddler tantrum.

Rule #5: Feel Connected

Speaking of brain chemistry, did you know that the chemical makeup of your brain changes when you become a mother? Even if you didn't birth the child, becoming a parent chemically alters you.

Now, you need to figure out how to care for this little human, and you need to figure out who you are. And taking care of a little is so time-consuming. How are you supposed to find any time left over to find yourself?

And that's where the loneliness creeps in. You feel isolated from your friend groups, sure. But mostly, you feel isolated from who you used to be. You'll never be her again, either. You've been forever changed. How can you fight this loneliness? How can you feel more connected? How can you build new, authentic relationships?

Through knitting.

I firmly believe that knitting is a powerful way to connect us. We stay up later than we should just to have a few peaceful moments. We wake up early to pack school lunches. And we knit to feel connected to all the other mothers knitting a sweater to take them through their day. When you're knitting, you're never truly alone.

The Best Knitting Patterns to Add Balance to Your Life

Now it’s your turn to share…

What motivates you to pick up your knitting needles? How do you choose what to knit? Does the phrase “knit hard” resonate with you? Or does it give you the ick? Why? Please share all of your thoughts in the comments below, I can’t wait to hear from you.