Hello beautiful souls,
This is June Bee and welcome to a beautiful night's sleep.
Thanks for being here for another in the series Bedtime Tales with June Bee.
Join me as we visit my local knitting club and all the things we will discover on our journey to sleep.
So let's get into your favourite sleeping position,
Making sure you are comfortable.
Close your eyes,
Relax your muscles and slowly imagine yourself melting into the bed.
Now let's go to your breathing,
Slowing down the heart rate and let's take some nourishing breaths together.
Breathe in,
Breathe out.
Breathe in,
Breathe out.
Breathe in,
Breathe out.
Breathe in,
Breathe out.
Breathe in,
Breathe out.
Breathe in,
Breathe out.
Last time,
Breathe in,
Breathe out.
Settle in now,
Relax and get comfortable.
Listen to the sound of my voice.
If your mind wanders,
It's okay,
Bring it back to the sound of my voice.
Let go of everything that has happened today and let's go on our journey together.
Today we are going to visit my local knitting club and then come home and work on my newest piece to gift to one of my friends.
I was knitting at an early age,
Self-taught,
Because of my love of seeing so many people taking up this pleasing and useful activity.
And I have been knitting some cute little pieces as time has gone on.
I decided many years later to join a knitting club,
A community of people who love to meet over some tea and biscuits and discuss,
Learn and experiment with all things knitting.
Some of the members have such a wealth of knowledge and there are a few of the members who go around and give you individual help with any issues,
Pattern difficulties and new ways of doing things that you may come across when you are working on your project.
According to some research on various internet sites,
Knitting has a long and fascinating history that originated in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean around the 11th or 12th century.
Everyone agrees the earliest knitted artefacts are Egyptian socks from that era,
Dating from the 11th century.
They are a very fine gauge,
Done with complex colour work and some have a short row heel,
Which necessitates the purl stitch,
The number two stitch in knitting as far as many people are concerned.
These complexities suggest that knitting is even older than the archaeological record can prove.
Knitting then spread to Europe,
Where male servants used it to make religious garments.
Some interesting facts about knitting.
Did you know?
Knitting was once a male-only occupation.
Isn't it interesting how society changes?
A craft that's generally thought as being women's work was once a predominantly male trade.
The first knitting union was founded in Paris in 1527 and yes,
You guessed it,
No women were allowed.
The knitting machine was invented in 1589 by an English clergyman by the name of William Lee,
During the reign of Elizabeth I.
The knitting machine changed the way we think about clothing and fabric.
The business of making clothing transferred into small cottage industries,
Making hand knitting non-essential and a leisure activity.
Knitting was considered a national duty during times of war.
In many countries,
The women who were left behind in times of war were tasked with picking up where the men left off.
Their jobs included making aircrafts,
Weapons,
Farming and so much more.
They were also charged with the duty to knit socks,
Hats and scarves for the soldiers that were stationed in cold places.
Some families sent knitted garments straight to their soldiers,
Although many used to knit for any and all soldiers who needed a bit of warmth.
The first knitting pattern book was written in the 17th century.
Published in 1611,
This book contains 126 pages of needlework and colourwork charts,
Ranging from simple repeating motifs to full tapestry-like seams.
Early needles were made with ivory,
Bone and tortoise shell.
These early needles were designed to be strong and pointed to facilitate knitting,
And use materials that we might think are very strange.
Today's needles can be made with a huge range of materials,
From plastic to aluminium to bamboo to beautifully coloured wood.
Lastly,
Knitting is healthy,
Believe it or not.
Again and again,
Studies have proved that knitting reduces blood pressure,
Decreases heart rate and has innumerable benefits for mental health as a whole.
I think that is why many of the recent Hollywood stars have taken up knitting as a pastime.
Knitting spurs on a relaxation response by the whole body,
Which can help to deter illness.
So after visiting my weekly club,
Hanging out with some of the members who've now become great friends,
And checking that I am following the pattern of my new beanie hat correctly,
I am back home,
Sitting by my large bay window and watching the world go by as I knit away.
This beautiful yarn I am using and the delicate moving of the bamboo knitting needles are so calming and soothing to me.
They say basic knitting is so simple.
Two sticks and a string.
And that is what makes it one of my favourite ways to relax and,
At the end,
Get something handmade that I can cherish and enjoy for decades to come.
A dear friend of mine recently made me a shawl or throw with some beautiful colours of burnt orange,
Green and cream in a soft and comfy yarn.
And each time I pull it over my legs to ward off the slight chill that happens from time to time,
And to keep me cosy,
I think of each stitch she lovingly put together and how much that means to me.
Knitting is so much more than the simple two sticks and a string to me.
It is a way of relaxing and putting joy into something that will live on for years beyond me.
Oh,
What a wonderful thought.
I'm not sure about you.
I'm getting sleepy even thinking about it.
So I'm ready to let go fully and surrender to sleep.
Thanks for joining me tonight.
And as you slowly drift away,
Have yourself a great night's sleep.
And looking forward to seeing you again for another in the series of bedtime tales with June B.
Good night.
