A couple of years ago my stepmother was really into knitting. She made some extremely gaudy scarves that I felt compelled to wear during her visits. Because of this experience I was not impressed with knitting, and definitely not interested in learning how to knit. However, two things have occurred since that time, and as such my views have taken a dramatic turn.

First, I have since seen first hand the virtues of vintage afghan patterns. The grace of the lagoon pattern, the texture of the sculptured block and the overall selection has captured my interest. Not to mention that so many of the knitting patterns can be acquired for free off the internet. It is a virtual soft textile goldmine.

No matter what your taste, a gorgeous throw flung over the edge of a sofa will appeal to you. In fact, if your colour scheme is out of hand, or gone a bit wonky, then an afghan can tie it all together. For many, the idea of making your own blanket is overwhelming, so a quick purchase will make do. But there is an additional draw to taking up the knitting hobby.

The second, and most compelling reason I found for knitting was that completed projects can be donated to worthwhile causes. The more blankets you can produce, the better for several non-profit organizations. Once you have gotten the hang of it you can pretty much do it while watching television. Think of it as multitasking for a good cause.

As a side note, my stepmother is no longer married to my dad, and for this I am pleased to no end. But, I still feel she deserves a bit of recognition for opening the door to the world of knitting to me. After all, she was the one who told me about the many donation projects in existence. Ultimately, this has led to the creation of over 15 blankets that I have donated, and two blankets that I have showcased in my home. I should also mention that those scarves she forced upon me have also been passed on, so unbeknownst to her, she also helped in the donation process.