Lisa’s List: 10 Reasons Knitting Is Better Than Dating

✓Let the Interweave Knits Winter 2024 issue transport you to a winter wonderland of cozy knits! This remarkable edition features 14 extraordinary projects to immerse yourself in the uniqueness of specially crafted yarns.

This article from former Interweave Knits editor Lisa Shroyer makes us laugh—and reflect—every time we read it. Whether you’re single, dating, married, or heartbroken, you’ll find truth in her words.

Slouchy Ribbed Hat knitting pattern by Shannon Cook

OMG it’s Valentine’s week and NOBODY CARES. But lucky for you, I have a relevant list for the week. I am going to lay out 10 reasons that knitting is better than dating, but hidden in this post is a different list—the reasons that I adore solitude. ALONE TIME. Picking my nose and talking to myself while knitting. Y’know, girl things.

Back in January, I blogged about a new relationship I was in and how knitting was a regular topic of conversation for us. Well, it’s February and that relationship is over. This is sad and I won’t deny that relationships have their perks, but I am LOVING the solitude. Why is my life so okay without a relationship? I give a lot of credit to my hobbies, including knitting.

I’ve been known to write about the power of hobbies in a pretty serious way. But this post is part joke and not many parts serious, but it’s based on the same idea: hobbies make us happy and give us richer lives. For me, solitude and hobbies give me a lot of contentment. I’m defensive of that contentment, because it is my center. It helps me move through a big and complex world and serve my family, my friends, my work, my employees, my sense of self. Relationships INTERRUPT life. In good ways and in ways that require compromise. This list is NOT ABOUT COMPROMISE, K?

And while we’re at it—this list is not about significant others of any particular gender. I’ve dated women and men and there’s not much difference in how they text or how they irreverently toss your knitting to the side when they sit down on the couch (“OMG Jane, don’t touch the knitting!”). This list is really about how PEOPLE act in relationships.

So without further ado, here are the 10 reasons knitting is better than dating.

Knitting doesn’t talk while you’re listening to a podcast. Instead, that repetitive cable pattern complements Planet Money perfectly; you don’t even have to refer to the chart anymore. Supply-side economics and global labor markets and Turkish yarn in your hands! Whoa girl.

You won’t get all nervous and try on 5 outfits and buy new makeup and commit to a regular leg-shaving routine for your knitting. Knitting loves you in your see-through Lululemons, just the way you are.

Knitting doesn’t try to get you to stay out for one more drink on a weeknight when you’re tired and you’re already over your calorie limit for the day. Instead, knitting says: Let’s go home and sit in that awesome overstuffed chair and drink LaCroix. Netflix and chill, y’know.

Knitting LOVES when you get up super early in the morning, brew the coffee, put on the news, and plop down for some stitchin. Or if you skip the stitchin and go for a morning run? Knitting loves that, too. Significant others? In my experience, they DESPISE mornings and they will try with all their might to dissuade you from your cheerful routine. Ultimately, they want to make you a night owl LIKE THEM (see #8). It’s a global non-knitter conspiracy.

Knitting doesn’t have jealousy issues. Sure, cast on a hat while you’re halfway through that lace cowl. Cowl DOES NOT HAVE FEELINGS ABOUT THIS.

Knitting doesn’t text you passive aggressive missives ending in LOL.

Knitting doesn’t text you at all. When you leave it in its basket and go about your life, it doesn’t need to know at all times that you still care about it and btw whaddaya wanna do for dinner? LOL.

Knitting doesn’t have an obsession with DINNER. Knitting doesn’t care what you feel like eating, where you want to go for dinner, should you order takeout, ugh we had pizza last week, I don’t feeeeeel like tofu; can we eat at your place . . . Knitting does not care and will never bring it up. Thanks, knitting.

Rather than fidgeting for 4 hours next to you on a flight to the east coast to visit your mother, knitting will actually ENTERTAIN you for the duration and will not say anything unpleasant about your family as it does so. But, the cutie in the next seat WILL use your knitting to break the ice and you’ll be forced to look full into the eyes of a gorgeous stranger and contemplate letting him say snarky things about your mother 6 months down the road. Thanks, knitting.

Knitting makes being alone AND being with other people more fun and more fulfilling. And it won’t mind when you do meet someone special and they want a spot on the couch next to you. Just tell them to bring their own project.

Maybe you should date a whittler. Or a weaver. Date someone WHO HAS HOBBIES OF THEIR OWN. I think this is key. Out of the fiber crafts, weaving purportedly has the highest rate of male participation, so if you’re looking for a crafty fella, maybe you should take up weaving and see who you meet.

Yes, this IS the most efficient way to meet people and get dates.

And you know what? You’re gunna LOVE weaving. You won’t even have time for dates.

Thanks, weaving.

Originally published 2/13/2018. Updated 2/13/2023.

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Docbeccy February 14, 2023

Very cute! I remember you when we sat in the bus touring around Lake Tahoe on our weekend with Chris Bylsma years ago. I would say you know you’ve found the right person when they treat you as well as your knitting does, companion-wise. My hubby is very much this way except for the eating part. He still likes to eat at reg hours but since we moved in across the street from his fav pub he often goes there when I just want a baked potato and some knitting. Win/win. Now if knitting could pay the bills as well as the hub he might have something to worry about.

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Maria B February 18, 2017

made me laugh out loud – and I realise I am not that weird or too much set in my own ways. Thanks so much.

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Maria B February 18, 2017

made me laugh out loud – and I realise I am not that weird or too much set in my own ways. Thanks so much.

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M February 18, 2017

Loved this. Introversion is so little appreciated or even tolerated! Love my hubby of 30+ years but I insist on #7 and heartlessly leave him in a cold bed on weekend mornings.

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M February 18, 2017

Loved this. Introversion is so little appreciated or even tolerated! Love my hubby of 30+ years but I insist on #7 and heartlessly leave him in a cold bed on weekend mornings.

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Lisa R February 17, 2017

I loved this article and I’ve been married 51 years! My single years (only a few) were never as much fun as yours, even though I have knitted since childhood. Fortunately my husband has no problem with me knitting and watching British detective series every evening while he watches baseball in the other room. Marital bliss!

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Lisa R February 17, 2017

I loved this article and I’ve been married 51 years! My single years (only a few) were never as much fun as yours, even though I have knitted since childhood. Fortunately my husband has no problem with me knitting and watching British detective series every evening while he watches baseball in the other room. Marital bliss!

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Barbara S February 17, 2017

A local restaurant in my town has a sign on the wall, “Who needs a boyfriend when you have a falafel sandwich?” Sounds good to me!

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Barbara S February 17, 2017

A local restaurant in my town has a sign on the wall, “Who needs a boyfriend when you have a falafel sandwich?” Sounds good to me!

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Rebecca A February 17, 2017

My mother-in-law taught me to knit; her son seemed to contrive to spill spaghetti sauce/leave dirty things/otherwise spoil knitting that wasn’t for him. Too bad I couldn’t have kept his parents when I ditched him! (How’s that for a switch?)

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1. Karen A February 14, 2018
  
  Way to go, Rebecca, ditching an inconsiderate man! (I did too 🙂 Odd that he did not pick up on his mom’s thoughtfulness. Too bad they don’t reveal their bad points til after we tie the knot. Oh well, done now. Your former mom-in-law probably wishes she could ditch him and keep you!
  
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Rebecca A February 17, 2017

My mother-in-law taught me to knit; her son seemed to contrive to spill spaghetti sauce/leave dirty things/otherwise spoil knitting that wasn’t for him. Too bad I couldn’t have kept his parents when I ditched him! (How’s that for a switch?)

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1. Karen A February 14, 2018
  
  Way to go, Rebecca, ditching an inconsiderate man! (I did too 🙂 Odd that he did not pick up on his mom’s thoughtfulness. Too bad they don’t reveal their bad points til after we tie the knot. Oh well, done now. Your former mom-in-law probably wishes she could ditch him and keep you!
  
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Tracy C February 17, 2017

OMG, being single, this reads so true! Caught myself nodding in agreement, smiling and laughing as I sit in my yoga pants planning my evening alone with my knitting…

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Tracy C February 17, 2017

OMG, being single, this reads so true! Caught myself nodding in agreement, smiling and laughing as I sit in my yoga pants planning my evening alone with my knitting…

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Sheree S February 17, 2017

Loved this article! Very good view of the perks (& there are many) to being single. Although I am married (2nd time), being single or with someone has it’s good and bad. Knitting is my saving grace:-).

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Sheree S February 17, 2017

Loved this article! Very good view of the perks (& there are many) to being single. Although I am married (2nd time), being single or with someone has it’s good and bad. Knitting is my saving grace:-).

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