One of the things that I think is so important when you are raising a child with Down syndrome is becoming involved with your local Down syndrome community. Being a parent to a kid with Down syndrome is a lot like being a parent to any other child.
— “Eat your vegetables!” “Leave your sister alone!” “Don’t poke the cat!” —
But, there are challenges and unique situations that only others who are traveling this same road understand. Being around those who get it is truly invaluable. I am so grateful that we have a large and thriving Down syndrome community here. Where else can you gather and party down with 180 other people to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day?
World DS Day Celebration
I think the importance of community is similar for knitting. To be around those who understand the good, the bad, and the ugly (ripping 5″ of lace while on a deadline, anyone?). To be around those who get your passion and your excitement and don’t give you strange looks when you pull yarn and double points out of your bag? Lovely.
Lately, though, the only time I have felt connected to the knitting community is when I’m at Rhinebeck in October. Walking into the gates at the start of the festival is beautiful.
— “These are my people.” —
Just a few of the sheep at Rhinebeck.
The rest of the year? Not so much. This is all due to the realities of our schedules and my shyness and insecurities. There’s not much time to attend weekly knit night at my LYS when there’s dance lessons, softball practice, track practice, Scouts, and school, and on and on and on. So how do I change this? How do I overcome the insecurities that make me wonder where I fit into the knitting world? How do I become reconnected to the knitting community?
First, I’m starting here. On this blog. The blog has been around since I started knitting in 2004. It’s changed and evolved as I have over the past 11 (!!!) years. I’m going to start here. Writing more. Showing more. This space will be more than a new post whenever I release a new pattern. Falling back in love with my blog. Reconnecting with the knitting community–something more than a few faves and hearts on social media.
Let’s connect. Let’s build a thriving knitting community together.
Yay glad you are going to hang out here again… I am excited to go back and read older posts… oh and someday I will make it to Rheinbeck. 😉 because that is truly where our people are 😉
Rhinebeck is glorious! Plans for this year’s trip are already finished.
Don’t be shy, you have a great voice, and this blog has the potential to be your connection to the knitting community
I know how you feel! I have similar anxieties about finding/fitting in to a knitting community, when there isn’t a face to face one near me that works and there are so many online that it can be overwhelming. (I am, however, so envious that you’ve been to Rhinebeck! I haven’t been in that part of the world since I got really into knitting, and it’s my dream to plan a vacation around it someday. Yarn festivals do have a glorious welcoming feeling, though.)
That party looks fantastic!
I’ve knitted the Holden shawl, and it’s a stunning design. You have so much talent that you rightly deserve a place in the knitting community (but I know that sometimes things get in the way of feeling how you want to feel).
I hope the blog challenge helps you to rediscover your sense of connection, and I’m glad I found your blog.
I for one, look forward to many more great blog posts. Over the years I have come to value the connections the knitting community has provided to my overall happiness. It is one of those things that I refer to as my “me-time”.