What to Knit When the World is Falling Apart

I always said that I would knit my way through the apocalypse, and – as it turns out – I was right. Knitting is soothing, practical, portable and … well, it’s not a bad way to stay busy while the world is falling apart. Knitting is like pacing the floor with your head in your hands, except you end up with a sweater. 

If you’re not sure what to do next, but you know there will at least be knitting – you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.

• What do you knit when you can’t concentrate? Stockinette stitch.
• What do you knit when you’re gripping your needles so tightly you might snap the cord? Cables without a cable needle. (Trust me on this one. There’s a lot of satisfying stabby angst in this technique.)
• How about when you’re clinging to hope? A sweater, because sweaters are made of hope.
• What do you knit when you’re out of sorts? This cowl.
• But what about when politics make you fear for the very soul of humanity and all things good and decent? Tough call, but fingerless mitts seem like a good choice for a revolution.
• Is there a perfect project for when you’re considering running for public office because you’re so concerned for the state of your country? Socks (of course!) to keep your feet warm while you hit the streets to fight for change.
• What do you knit when you’re worried about injustice? Knit for others. Knit to donate. Knit to raise funds for a cause you care about.
• What’s the right project for when you’re disappointed or anxious and can’t hug it out with anyone because of the global pandemic? A blanket sweater, obviously.
• What do you knit when you’re hunkered down in quarantine with no end in sight? If you’re an introvert, this. If you’re an extrovert, this.
• What’s the project for when you’re screaming into the ether? The next one. Cast-on something new (anything) immediately. 
• When you’re ready for this all to be over? This. Definitely this.

The answers to what ail us may not come easily (or quickly), but there’s one thing we know for sure: come the apocalypse, there will be knitting – and a lot of it.