The idea of knitting has been a romantic one for me. I so often see others knitting, relaxed and calm in their craft. The reality for me, however, was nothing of the sort. I first tried knitting when my oldest was three years old. I wanted to learn how to knit in case he wanted to try in a a few years. I did knit, but I didn’t enjoy it.

I tried again last year when my then five year old daughter wanted to try her hand at knitting. Her interest was short-lived, and as I still didn’t enjoy it, I put down my knitting needles after churning out a few hats and scarves for my family. Last month, in a conversation about knitting, I shared my romantic ideas and teh fact that I was very much a product knitter. As I sat there knitting, I would imagine how I could easily have drafted a pattern, cut out the pieces, and sewn the completed project. Knitting wasn’t for me.

As the end of 2010 came closer, I decided to give knitting another chance in an attempt to slow down and relax. After all, the third time holds the charm. Amazingly enough, that held true. I began to enjoy knitting. I sat down with yarn and knitting needles with no project in mind.

After that, I sought to knit cozies for our cell phones and Garmins. I half-jokingly asked my husband if anything else around the house needed cozies.

Since then I’ve completed quite a few small projects. It is relaxing, to an extent. I like that I can take my knitting to wherever the kids are playing or working on projects. When we go somewhere as a family, I can knit in the front seat. I do wonder if I am merely finding more ways of multi-tasking, though.

Visit Code Name: Mama and Living Peacefully with Children to find out how you can participate in the next Families, Create! Carnival.

Our February theme is “Heroes and Heroines” – what can your family create this month to celebrate the heroes and heroines in your lives?

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

• What’s the perfect way to snuggle up on a cold winter night? Acacia at Fingerpaint & Superheroes knows the answer: make the perfect soup!

• Simply decorated jars by children bring warmth and light to cold Winter’s days at Living Peacefully with Children.

• The ArtsyMama teaches us how to create a no sew fleece throw inspired by your favorite snuggle time book.

• Movies made from books are often pretty poor representations, but this family-made movie from Dionna at Code Name: Mama is monster-ific!

• Aunalise at My Sweet Potatoes created a cozy for her Kindle, to protect it from little hands that think they need to cuddle with it.

• What better way to cuddle and get cozy than in new jammies made by Mama G @ Z everyday things?

• Inspired by her family’s love of the Harry Potter series, Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children decided to make a series of ornaments based on the theme.

• Laura at Nestled Under Rainbows shared a reflection on and a celebration of snuggies, lovies, cuddlies and specials.

• Little Hedgehog got a wonderful idea when his red hat from Father Christmas didn’t fit, and Megan at Purple Dancing Dahlias got a wonderful idea to knit a sweet hedgehog!

• Monster-inspired artwork by a monster-clad kid. Despite the growling, he really is cuddly! Monster love courtesy of Dionna at Code Name: Mama.

• Arpita at Up, Down & Natural shares a quick tutorial on how to make your very own Pippalily inspire pouch sling, with zippered pocket & key ring, and a matching nursing cover to boot!

• Amy at Anktangle finally completed something cuddly and warm for her son Daniel: his very own afghan, crocheted with love by Momma.

• Who’d want to cuddle with a cuttlefish? Aunalise at My Sweet Potatoes thinks you might want to cuddle up with this sweet plush cuttlefish!

• In an attempt to slow down and relax while watching her children, Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children decided to give knitting another chance.

Join us in February to create something with (or for) your own family. Visit Code Name: Mama and Living Peacefully with Children to find out more about February’s “Heroes and Heroines” theme.