Knitting Witchcraft

Published in Llewellyn’s 2005 Magical Almanac

“Knitting a sweater is a tremendous act of faith.” – Bernadette Murphy, Zen and the Art of Knitting

Modern Witches are some of the craftiest people around. But like everyone else, we are busy people, trying to make time for ritual, study, meditation, work, family, and crafts. Sometimes it seems like an impossible task, but there is a way to do it. The path is found by balancing and mixing the magical and the mundane. That is why paths like Kitchen Witchcraft are so popular. They allow the Witch to practice magic along with fulfilling a mundane need, such as eating or bathing. Witches can also add a bit of magic when making crafts. Every craft project bursts with opportunities to make magic. One of the witchiest crafts is knitting. There are many spells that can be weaved using two knitting needles and a ball of yarn.

In this article, I’ll cover a few aspects of mixing knitting and witchcraft. I’ll talk about meditation, spellcraft, spirituality, and knitting deities. As for the level of knitting skill, I will assume that everyone reading this is at a beginner level of knitting. All the suggestions mentioned here can be used by any knitter, regardless of their skill level. Since I want to just focus on spirituality here, I will not go into too many technical knitting specifics. To compensate, I will provide a list of helpful knitting resources at the end of the article.

Spirituality
Knitting is a spiritual craft. It gives Witches many gifts. We gain patience and perseverance while learning to make the stitches. Knitting can also teach the value of free will and making mistakes. Our mistakes are those things that we truly own. We have the power to fix them, live with them, and even embrace them.

As Witches, we strive to practice tolerance and compassion in our lives. Working with different yarns reminds us of the treasures found in our own diverse world. Everyone has something valuable to teach and learn. Also, witches can use their knitting skills to volunteer and help others. There are a number of charities that need donations of knitted blankets, linens, and clothing. They thankfully accept donations. In this way, knitting provides an outlet to give joy and comfort to others.

Witches attempt to live in balance and harmony with the elements and nature. Knitting can also be used for this. We can create pieces inspired by each element, moon phase, or season, such as a bag for spring, a bathing suit for summer, a scarf for fall, and a sweater for winter. Each project’s symbolism and power can be increased by using matching yarn colors and beads. Every time you wear the finished project, you’ll be connected to the energies it represents.

Knitting also helps to teach us that we can find the magic in the mundane, if we change our viewpoint. It provides Witches with a way to use our creative and logical sides at once. This is especially important to strengthening the magical mind. Knitting also teaches how to make goals and follow through with them. A knitting project starts with one stitch. The finished project is formed by creating one stitch after another. Our lives are made like this, one step at a time. After finishing a piece, it is magic to see a finished creation and to know that not long ago, it was just a strand of yarn.

Meditation and Mindfulness
Witches can also use knitting as part of their everyday meditation practice. When using knitting for meditation practice, I recommend working on with a simple project made with a basic knit stitch. As you get more experienced, you can do more complex projects. I find the simple the project, the better the meditation, as there are no worries about making mistakes. You can use any size needles, although medium sizes, such as 8 or 9 seem to work best. I do not recommend using fancy yarns to work with. They can be tricky to use and too distracting for meditation. I recommend the “Sugar and Cream” yarn brand. It is an inexpensive good quality cotton yarn, but any plain cotton or synthetic yarn is fine.

Try to take about 20 minutes for each meditation session. If that is too long or too short, adjust the length of time to your schedule, comfort, and skill level. Work in a quiet, safe environment and make yourself comfortable there. I try enhancing the atmosphere by listening relaxing music and lighting candles and incense. Take one deep breath and begin. I use the stitches as a way of timing my breathing. Take one breath for each stitch, breathing in and out slowly. There is no right or wrong way to do it. Do what feels natural. While working, let any thoughts that enter your mind float by. Do not pay much attention to them. Just focus on breathing and making each stitch. Also, you can use knitting to relax any time you feel anxious, tense, or stressed out. Just grab the needles and start knitting. Concentrating on breathing and making each stitch helps stop and release frantic, worried thoughts.

Try working the act of knitting into your guided meditations and visualizations. For example, if you want to commune with the Goddess, knitting can help. When meditating, try to see Her knitting with you, sharing Her wisdom and advice. During the meditation, my advice is to relax and do what feels comfortable. Trust your inner wisdom. In addition, use a knitting meditation to help solve a problem. Imagine you are working on a knitting project and this project will help with your problem or set you on the right path. Let go of any preconceived ideas you have about the project, but pay attention to it. The yarn, the stitch, or the project itself may hold the key to the solution.

Knitting Deity
As I mentioned above, we can use knitting to connect to deity, especially creative or inspirational ones. Witches can commune with them or invoke their aid and blessing for a project. I will list here some of Gods and Goddesses that directly connect to the fabric arts and how they can help you. The deities include The Fates, Arachne, Spider Woman, Ariadne, Athena – Minerva, and Hephaestus. There are many deities in other pantheons that can help with knitting and crafts. This is by no means a complete list.

The Fates embody the Triple Goddess. They are viewed as the Maiden, Mother, and Crone. The Fates spin the thread of our lives, measure them out, and cut them at their end. These Goddesses are so powerful that even other Gods and Goddesses are subject to their rule. Call on them when you need guidance, confidence and self-knowledge. If you are stuck on a project, invoke their wisdom to know when to keeping trying and when to give up on a project. Ask for their blessing when making gifts for loved ones or to donate to charity.

Arachne was an expert weaver and faced Athena-Minerva in a weaving competition. Arachne’s piece showed the horrible things that deity had done to humankind. In the end, Athena turned Her into a spider. Call on Arachne when the truth is needed or when you need to face the shadow side of yourself. Another spider-related deity is Spider Woman. She is the creatrix of the world. She spins it into creation each morning and undoes the web each night. Spider Woman can be called on for inspiration and beginning projects. Invoke both Goddesses for skill and preciseness.

The Minoan Moon Goddess Ariadne gave Theseus the yarn ball that stopped him from getting lost in the Minotaur’s labyrinth. Call on Her when you are confused on what path to take or need to reflect on the past. Invoke Ariadne when deciding when and how to proceed on a project or new idea.

Along with being the goddess of wisdom, Athena-Minerva (Greek-Roman) was also the patron of arts and crafts. Her only equal in yarn work and weaving was Arachne. In their contest, Athena-Minerva created a weaving piece that showed all the wonderful things that the Gods and Goddesses gave humankind. She is exact and precise. Call on her for skill and detail. Athena-Minerva also rules inspiration and blesses the planning and start of a project.

Hephaestus is the God of blacksmithing and crafts. He is better known for metal working and weapons, but Hephaestus is multi-talented. He wove the magic net that caught his wife Aphrodite and her lover Ares in a compromising position. It was so well made they could not escape. It was woven with strong fibers and held with tight knots. Men can invoke Hephaestus’ aid and skill in their projects.

Spellcraft
Knitting can also be used in spellcraft and magic. Since knitting is a repetitive exercise, it has the potential to allow the crafter to change consciousness. This change in consciousness can aid the Witch in magic by putting us in the right state of mind to cast spells. Just picking up the needles can help shift your mind toward magical workings.

Knitting magic is connected to knot magic. They both involve weaving and moving yarn. Knot Magic has always been a popular type of magic. The ancient Greeks and Romans used it often to ward of negativity. It was also used for finding lost objects or to manifest a goal or wish. Ancient knot shapes became a part of sacred Celtic artwork. Knots are considered sacred in the Chinese Buddhist tradition too. It is believed that when enlightened masters meditate their intestines take the form of the Mystic Knot. In modern witchcraft, the Witches’ Ladder is made of nine knots on a bit of cord. Each knot has a feather tied in it. It can be used for any goal, including healing, prosperity, and love. A charm or chant is said while each knot is being tied, reinforcing its purpose. Any type of string or yarn can be used in this spell. Knitting Witches can use this technique with left over bits of yarn.

Witches can also put energy and intent into our knitting projects. In this magic, use yarn color and texture to your advantage. Use red in a sweater for a boost of energy. Blue used in a blanket can help you fall asleep. Pink is for projects of love and affection. Work pink into a project for a lover or friend. Black can be protective and is great for a purse or bag. It will match any outfit and protect your valuables at the same time. Adding a bit of energy and magic can make a beautiful, handmade gift even more special. Witches can empower any project. Be creative. There are many ways to knit and charge your own magical tools, like altar cloths, sachets, and robes.

Knitting can also be used in Witch’s rituals honoring the ancestors. It has the power to connect us to them. I recommend knitting a small cloth for each family member you wish to honor. Use colors, patterns, and symbols to represent them. While making it, light a white or black candle in their honor. Remember all the fond memories you have had together. Keep the cloth on your altar when you are not working on it. After you’re finished, you can place it on a family altar or stitch several cloths together to represent your whole family, creating a family afghan. With good care, the afghan can become a family heirloom. The squares can also be made into a Samhain altar cloth or a wall hanging for above the altar.

I have included two practical knitting spells. I tried to keep them open ended so that any witchy knitter, regardless of their experience and skill level can use them. Adapt these spells to any scarf or bag knitting pattern you desire.

Raising Confidence Scarf Spell
Scarves are the perfect projects. They can be as easy or complicated as you’d like. For beginners, I recommend using a simple knit stitch. The scarf will knit up quickly if you use large needles and make it a thin width. For this spell scarf, use bright colors, like red, purple, or metallics, like gold and silver. There are a lot of cheap, stylish, and fun yarns now available at most chain craft stores. When casting on the first row of stitches chant: “I bind on one, my spell’s begun.” With each knit stitch, chant: “My confidence rise and reach the skies.” Allow the stitch and chant to create its own rhythm. When completing the cast off stitching say, “Now I’m done, the spell is sealed.” With the final stitch, say “So mote it be!” Next, stop and look at your beautiful scarf. Admire and feel proud of it. Lift your head high, put on your scarf, and face the world glowing with beauty and confidence.

Protective Knit Bag Spell
As you progress and learn more stitches and patterns, you can move from making simple scarves to making bags. While making the bag, you want to empower it to protect your valuables. It doesn’t matter what stitches you use, but good colors to use would be black, green, or brown, any “earthy” color. As you cast on the first stitches say: “As I bind on one, my spell’s begun.” This starts the magic. With each body stitch, “Protection is bound all around.” When binding the final row, “Now I’m done, this spell is sealed.” With the last stitch, say “So mote it be!” Strengthen the spell by placing protective symbols on the bag, like an eye, five petal flower, star, or sun. The symbols can be placed inside or outside the bag. They can be embroidered, beaded, or attached as a charm. Also, you can create a small pouch for protection herbs or crystals and attach it the inside of the bag. There are a few protection herbs you can use, like sandalwood, rue, sea salt, black salt, dragon’s blood, or fennel. Apache tear, obsidian, smoky quartz, or clear quartz make good protective crystals.

Knitting is a wonderful and witchy craft. It can be relaxing, challenging and empowering. It can be used for meditation, to work powerful magic and to connect to nature, deity, and the ancestors. In addition, it can be used to increase our self-knowledge and teach us about the world we live in. However, the greatest lesson knitting teaches us is how to blend and balance the mundane and magical everyday.

Magical Knitting Article Resources:

Knitting Books:
Bergman, Deborah. The Knitting Goddess. New York: Hyperion Press, 2000.
The Boye Needle Company. I Taught Myself Knitting. West Warren, MA: 1988.
Manning, Tara Jon. Mindful Knitting. North Clarendon , VT: Tuttle Publishing, 2004.
Murphy, Bernadette. Zen and the Art of Knitting. Avon, MA: Adams Media Corporation, 2002.
Skolnik, Linda and Janice MacDaniels. The Knitting Way. Woodstock, VT: SkyLight Paths Publishing, 2005.
Stoller, Debbie. Stitch ‘n Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook. New York: Workman Publishing, 2003.
Zimmermann, Elizabeth. Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitter’s Almanac. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 1981.

Other Knitting Resources:
Check out these Magazines: Family Circle Easy Knitting, Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits
Check out these websites:
About.com – Knitting: http://knitting.about.com
KnitList – http://www.knitlist.com
Knitty – http://www.knitty.com
Stitch ‘n’ Bitch – http://www.stitchnbitch.org
The Knitting Guild Association – http://www.tkga.com
Craft Yarn Council of America – http://www.craftyarncouncil.com
Check out your local yarn shop or craft store for more resources, supplies, and classes.

Knitting Charities:
Knitting for a Better World – http://www.interweave.com/knit/charities.asp
Knitting for Charity – http://knitting.about.com/od/charityprojects/
Wool Works: Knitting for Charity – http://www.woolworks.org/charity.html
BellaOnline – Charities – Knitting – http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/206.asp

Witchcraft Books:
Ahlquist, Cynthia, editor. Llewellyn’s 1996 Magical Almanac. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1995.
Conway, D.J. Magical Knots, pages 235-237.
Weaver, Jim. Greek Knot Magic, pages 238-239.
Bell, Jessie Wicker. The Grimoire of Lady Sheba. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Worldwide, 2001.
Cunningham, Scott and David Harrington. Spell Crafts. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2001.
Polson, Willow. Witch Crafts. New York: Citadel Press, 2001.
Valiente, Doreen. An ABC of Witchcraft. Custer, WA: Phoenix Publishing, 1973.