First Person
Dana’s Edit: I Believe in You
Back in February 2019, I wrote about knitting as an act of resilience and when Ann and Kay asked me if I’d be willing to speak at Nash Yarn Fest, I decided to revisit that post to shape what I would talk about.
I started knitting sweaters back in 2014. Five years later, I had already knit 164 sweaters (for babies, dogs and adults). Five years (and a little) more, I’ve now knit a total of 337 sweaters (for babies, dogs and adults).
For the talk, I wore my 239th finished sweater, the Elixir Pleated Top by Arianna Frasca.
It was a lovely trip down memory lane looking through my Ravelry project pages and blog posts about so many of my knits. I was kind of surprised by how much knitting I’ve done in the last 11 years—I average about 21 sweaters a year and thought it was a great topic to talk about. How do I knit so much?
One of the first things I always tell people is: I DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN.
I honestly think that is a large part of why I have so much knitting time. Instead, I have two small dogs who love to snuggle in my lap while I knit away for an afternoon. If you’ve ever had a puppy fall asleep on you so that you can’t move, you know knitting is the perfect thing to do while you wait for them to wake up.
I also don’t have a traditional job where I work from 9-5, so I have more freedom to knit when (and where) I want. Being a professor means that some semesters I have late starts to my day—and I like to knit in the morning before I head in for classes.
I have three months in the summer where I do research but also focus a lot on refilling my cup with things I love, like knitting. If I don’t fill up my creative well, I have nothing to give my students.
The other thing that changed my mindset around knitting and helped to boost my confidence was what I said to myself about myself. I stopped telling myself “I could never …” because if I said that I realized I wouldn’t even try.
Instead, I’ve been telling myself “I should try that …” or “what’s the worst that could happen …” if I want to make something. I’ve realized I can actually do anything.
Intarsia isn’t that complicated, especially when you take a class or watch videos.
I psyched myself out of things for so long that I devour new techniques and new patterns like a woman who was starving. It’s amazing to think that just changing out the negative for the positive can have such a huge impact—but look at all the sweaters I’ve knit!
I don’t just apply that philosophy to knitting either.
I’ve shared here about my health struggles in 2021. It has been a long four years of getting myself back to a better mental and physical space, but it required me believing in myself and telling myself I could.
My husband and I took our first bike ride of the season a few weekends ago and I rode 10.5 miles all by myself on a trail. I was so proud because a year ago, I wasn’t physically in the space to do that. I told myself last year I would be able to ride that bike and I did it.
Now I’m pressing myself to keep going and see how much further I can go and how much stronger I can get.
So maybe you aren’t feeling that confident today, and I’m here to tell you that I believe in you. I know you can do it, even if it’s hard, even if you need help.
Even if you knit slowly, I know you’ll get to that finish line eventually.
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I love all that you write. Astonishing output of sweaters, too!
Thank you for this. Your inspiring message is just what I needed this morning.
I have given away so much yarn that I bought to knit a sweater and never finished the project! I felt keeping that yarn was holding me back and affecting my mental wellness. I hoped someone that could use the yarn and love what they would create with it, was the best solution. I just talked myself into buying more yarn to try again. Your pep talk comes at a very good time! Thank you! I’ll save this to re-read when I start to doubt myself again.
Thanks. I needed that on another cold grey day in Michigan.
Thank you, so inspiring!
Thank you for being an inspiration and my favorite encourager! Your smile is so bright and makes me believe I can get through today in a happier frame of mind.
What a wonderful post-thank you! And I love the photos!!
Dana, you are so beautiful and you do beautiful work. You are an inspiration!
I love you, Dana!
Thank you! That was lovely, and inspiring!
Thank you for the inspiration!!!
Good for you on your journey to better health! Knitting, biking and cross country skiing is what keeps me sane. The world can’t intrude when I’m doing these activities. I can’t believe how many sweaters you’ve done.Maybe I should give you my stash!LOL!
Thanks Dana. I needed your message today. Sending wishes for continuing good health
I just love your attitude towards live, yourself and knitting! Just seeing your beautiful smile makes me smile. I am so glad your health is so much better.
I love your style! Thank you for inspiring us!
Your JOY is what I love the most! (but your sweaters are pretty spectacular too!) THANK YOU for all this inspiration and joyful positivity!!!
You are a joy and an inspiration!
I might just get back on my wheels today.
Thank you!
Thank you for being so inspiring!
So inspiring. I needed this today. Plus you have a gift for sweater/yarn combinations.
Thanks, Dana!
I’m so glad you’re getting better and better. Climbing out of the hole you get into with poor health can be so daunting and discouraging. You go!
Some of us must be born with a gene of self-doubt. It can keep us in hole or we can choose to ignore it. So happy you are able to ignore it and succeed at what you do. I am on that same track. I look at knitting/crochet/etc. patterns and think they’re way out of my league. Then, when I come to my senses and realize nothing is too difficult if I take it one step at a time, I end up with a beautiful sweater, scarf, shawl, etc. Thanks so much for the inspiration to keep on doing what I do.
I love all your posts. You are such an inspiration. And I love all your matching sweater outfits with you and your little fur babies. I love to knit sweaters but I don’t have that many under my belt. But then again I also sew, bead, and a plethora of other crafts that keep me busy. I’m retired but I think I got more done when I was working, go figure.
Thanks for that inspiring message – something you demonstrate to us all the time. And thrilled for you about that bike ride. It must have been so exhilarating to have completed that trip. Chloe
Thank you for spreading confidence and joy!!
❤️❤️❤️
I love you Dana!!
This was absolutely wonderful! Very inspiring!
I believe in you, too Dana (who wouldn’t?!). You’re an inspiration 🙂
Thank you, Dana! You make the world a more beautiful place (thanks to Miss Rumphius for that phrase) in so many, many wonderful ways!
Thank you, Dana, for being our inspiration. Your wonderful posts are greatly appreciated.
I needed a voice of hope and sanity this morning, and there you were. Thank you, Dana.
Thank you for the inspiration!
The photos of your sweaters have always brought me such peace. They are so beautiful and elegant, so practical and so magical!
Thank you, Dana!!!! Your words of encouragement came just when I needed it.
Thank you for this, for the encouragement by sharing about your bike ride. And, I still absolutely LOVE that green plaid top with the white shirt with the yellow pants in that fabulous combination–you look fantastic in it, too!
Dana, you are a constant source of inspiration with a the sparkle of reality!
I attended NYF and your talk was one of the events I really wanted to see and hear. It was inspiring and funny and I’m so glad I was there. And that sweater is smashing!
Thank you! This was such an uplifting piece. You are remarkable and your encouraging words are much needed. I am recovering from surgery on my hand and have not been able to knit for the last 7 weeks. I love it when your name pops up for a new piece.
Congratulations on all of it ! I really enjoy your posts. I had Elixir on my list, I hope this gets it on my needles!
Thanks! I love your sweaters. I especially love the green, short sleeved one with the rainbow colored fair isle yoke, and the green sparkly one!
Yes! Those two specifically were my favs too!
Thank you for sharing your joy! The colors, the re-frame of challenges, and your beautiful smile are glorious. Oh, to be one of your students!
You are such an inspiration! And what gorgeous sweaters you make!!!❤️❤️❤️
I look forward to all of your posts but today’s really seemed meant for me. I was just thinking of pulling out my bike to ride and decided I could at least try to ride up to the end of the street and back. And then you said you went 10.5 miles on your first trip out this year! Wow! Why do baby steps when the world is out there waiting?! And the knit patterns and yarn to explore, too!!
Thank you for this post, it’s inspirational!
What a wonderful empowering message! Now I’m inspired to –
1. Knit my first dog sweater, he’s little what could go wrong?
2. Dust off the bicycle, helmets, and find a cute basket.
3. My husband and I are 74 with a 16 week old long haired doxie named “Thurston Howl.” Thurston has been the best investment in spreading joy and laughter in our little corner of the world. Be resilient 🙂
That picture of your husband and Jellybean (is it Jellybean? I didn’t recall that you had two dogs) is fabulous. And it’s great to see some of the lovely sweaters you’ve shown us before.
I am also a professor (retired but still doing lots of professor things) and I agree knitting is great – such a wonderful thing to be able to do in meetings, especially on Zoom (if you’re not presenting).
Go, Dana!
Thank you for this. Perhaps I can drum up the courage to try socks.
Thank you Dana for your words and your pics!
Your email makes my day a lot more happier!! You know that your smile alone keeps going with my knitting projects. I have been following your emails for many years. Keep on encouraging us to knit some “I don’t think I can knit that” projects!!
Love your posts, your dog(s), your choice of knitting projects and your inspiring attitude! Always a pleasure to follow you. It makes me feel so good. Thank you!
As a fellow small dog mom, I love following your adventures. You’re an inspiration in many ways! I have two small kids and your post is a good reminder that this is not the season for me to knit 15+ sweaters per year. But I love living vicariously for now, and looking forward to the day when I have more time for knitting and puppy snuggles!
Thank you for the inspiration.
I am so glad you are doing so well physically! I was worried about your health issues. Your sweaters are amazing. Your positive attitude is contagious! Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Go, Dana, go!!
Love all that you do and share, thanks for being such an inspiration!
You have motivated me!
I have second dog syndrome: I have two little dogs and planned to make them each a sweater. I made one sweater and the second dog’s never got done. You have inspired me to make that second poor pup her sweater!
Go Dana go!! I always look forward to your edits, they’re a high point in my reading life. I’m so glad your health is improving. May it ever be so.
I love Dana’s edit. It’s so inspiring and honest. More please.
Hello Dana, I absolutely love your upbeat energy and total style. And your little dogs too!! You’ve been an inspiration to me and others for years. I’ve gotten a lot of ideas from your photos with regards to embracing colors, styling an outfit and seeking out a new pattern. Thank you for sharing your health journey with your knit friends, honest sharing amonst us helps us all see each other through.
I meant to say “sharing helps us see each other as well as see each other through”.
Thanks so much, Dana. I so needed what you wrote today. I signed up for an exercise class and I’m already 2 days behind because I’m afraid. Afraid I can’t do the exercises, afraid I’ll feel awful, afraid to fail. And I’d be alone in my house–no one would have to even know!
But I need to tell myself what you’ve been telling yourself: I can do this. I want to do this and I can at whatever level I need to start.
PS. LOVE the Charlie Brown sweater in the banner photo.
PSS Love how fearless you are and how many styles of sweaters you’ve knit. I’m also taking a tip from how you style your sweaters. Thanks again.
I just came upon your podcast. I too, knit and look forward following you, thank you Donna
After I saw you speak at NYF, I went home and signed up for an intarsia class!