Hey, I'm also en route to join the Peace Corps! Go us! I have personally struggled with depression for 13 years, and am known for not dealing with it in the best ways, unfortunately. My best solution is to do things for the people around me and to feel useful. I'm an RA at my school for first-year women...and it's nuts! It's really draining to be honest, but is so rewarding. I really love helping others, and giving myself a purpose. I also lift...a lot. And knit. I like hobbies :-)
Yeah a common theme seems to be hobbies and making others happy. What hobbies make others happy? Volunteering I suppose, yeah?
Well, my hobbies do tend to be things I do selfishly, like working out. I do that just for me, and my own well-being. I do love volunteering though, or happen to incorporate my hobbies into giving back. I said I liked knitting, right? Well there are some excellent charities that ask knitters to make hats for cancer patients that I like to donate to occasionally.
I was unaware of those charities, which are they? There's nothing wrong with a male that knits haha
Haha not at all! I like "Stitch 4 Life," which is a partnership between knitting circles and area hospitals, but I don't think that extends beyond where I am. You can always check in with your local hospital, though. Lion brand yarn also has a way to find charities in your area.
Do it! There is an incredible wealth of resources online. I like Knitting Help for the basics. Lots of good books too. [Ravelry](www.ravelry.com) is the go-to for patterns. If you search for male knitters on google you'll find plenty of sites and communities for the dudefolk too. Happy knitting!
Thanks for the links! It just so happens that two storefronts down from my work, a yarn and thread shop opened up just a few weeks ago!
Haha I am not one to believe in fate, but an excellent coincidence. Yarn shops sometimes have knitting circles or workshops too. Good luck with it!
Thanks! Could you post some images of stuff you've made?
The only image I have of my handknits is my current project. (
) ...Meaning I did it today haha. I'm speeding through a basic set of dishrags for my ma while I'm home for the holidays. I just "bind off" this one, and will finish it (sew in the ends) soon. I plan to have a pile of them soon. Only takes a few hours to do one.
That looks really awesome! I really want to start making my own clothing (socks, gloves, hats, etc.)
Start with squares (scarves, dish rags, etc), work into circles (hats), and then into squares plus circles (gloves, socks). Get a book that does a good progression into those kinds of projects. Best way to find what you want would be to go into that knitting shop and browse! It's not hard, just a steep learning curve, and an ability to be okay with everything looking cruddy the first time, and better the next :-)