My obsession with knitting ebbs and flows with the seasons. During high season (October-April), when I am insanely busy rehearsing and concertizing with the Sarasota Orchestra, I need to knit as an escape. Because I am a performer, many people automatically assume I am a “people person”. Far from it! I have many friends who find groups and crowds of people energizing; they seem to feed off of the collective energy. I, on the other hand, find it draining to be around people – especially big groups of people – for any length of time over about 20 minutes.

So during season, if I’m not on stage in a rehearsal or concert, I’ll be backstage at Van Wezel or Neel or Symphony Center knitting something. It gives my mind the space I need to recharge while allowing me to socialize one-on-one when a colleague stops by to see what my latest project is. (It also keeps my fingers warmed up while on break!) If I’m home, chances are that I’m on my stationary bike, pedaling away while knitting. (I’ve learned that long scarves are dangerous on the bike – they tend to get caught and wrapped around the pedals if I’m not careful.) My current goal is to “virtually” ride old Route 66 on my bike while knitting – I’m about halfway to the Santa Monica Pier that marks the end of the journey.

Outside of high season, my time belongs much more to me and I sometimes go days without knitting. Then I miss it and end up back at Picasso’s Moon, hanging out and knitting and spinning with whoever else drops by. It is funny, though, how the more I have to do, the more I get done. Somehow, when I feel like I have all the time in the world, I don’t do anything because I know there’s time. That’s why I’m really glad I volunteered to lead some KAL’s and write this blog for the store this summer.

Tell me – where do you knit?

-Anne