Found in 4-ply and Lanolin

My 2024 Year in Knitting

As the year winds down, it’s only natural to pause and reflect. Maybe it’s to learn from the choices you made, or to daydream about the paths you didn’t take. For me, 2024 has been a year of surprising revelations, and at the center of it all—knitting. Slowly and against all odds, I’ve fallen deeply in love with the craft. Maybe it started during my pregnancy hiatus, with hormones nudging me in new directions. Or maybe it was just time. Whatever the reason, this year has brought me closer than ever to the soft threads of yarn and the grounding art of knitting.

Personal Mantra

I’ve adopted a mantra to describe what knitting has come to mean to me: found in 4-ply and lanolin. It’s a simple phrase, but it speaks volumes. To some, it might seem strange—how can strands of yarn and sheep oils hold so much meaning? But to me, it’s deeply personal. Knitting has helped me find strength in gentleness and see beauty in imperfection. Each ply of yarn—whether it’s a delicate single strand or a sturdy eight-ply—represents a layer of resilience. And in the middle, with 4-ply yarn, I’ve found myself: Delilah, whole, honest, and true.

Wool yarn carries its own story. It begins on a sheep, growing over the year, enriched with lanolin—the natural oils that protect and nourish the fibers. When the wool reaches the mill, it’s cleaned and spun into something usable, but the magic really begins in the hands of knitters like me. To some, lanolin is just an earthy scent that fades quickly. But to me, it’s a fleeting comfort—a smell that connects me to the wool’s journey. So, I knit it into my sweaters and beanies, weaving a piece of that comfort into something tangible and lasting.

Words Don't Equal Touch

There aren’t enough words in the English language to fully explain the pull of wool. It’s enchanting, grounding, and irresistible. I let my hands and needles do the talking instead. Each stitch is an act of love, a testament to the self-worth I’ve learned to embrace. Every beanie and sweater is a quiet declaration: I am worthy of time, care, and creativity. Through knitting, I’ve found value in myself and the joy of sharing that warmth with those I love.

Yarn Infidelity

Of course, I’m not always loyal to one project. At the yarn shop, I can’t help but fall for new colors and textures, even when I’m already committed to something else. To some, my wandering might seem like a lack of discipline, even a kind of infidelity. But how could I resist? Each skein is a new adventure, a promise of creativity waiting to be unlocked. One weight or color pulls me in, and before I know it, I’m dreaming of the next project. It’s not disloyalty—it’s passion.

This year has taught me that it’s okay to follow that passion wherever it leads, for me it must stay within the guidelines of safe and righteous. Each new skein, each new stitch only deepens my love for the craft. And while not everyone will understand—some might see it as frivolous or fickle—it doesn’t matter. Knitting isn’t just something I do; it’s a part of who I am. In every loop and twist, I’ve found strength, softness, and a reflection of my truest self.

Here’s to more stitches, more discoveries, and more unapologetic creativity in the year ahead.