Knit, Purl, Pray: 52 Devotions for the Creative Soul

by Lisa Bogart

Overview

52 knitting-themed reflections for the over 53 million knitters who want to blend their passion and their faith.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781617957123
Publisher:	Worthy
Publication date:	10/13/2015
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	592,485
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

As both a gifted writer and accomplished knitter, Lisa Bogart practices both of her passions every day. She has gifted over 70 sweaters to Guideposts' Knit for Kids. Her award-winning devotions have appeared in several publications, including Guideposts, and she is the author of Come on In: Taking the Hassle Out of Hospitality. She lives outside of New York City.

Read an Excerpt

Knit Purl Pray

52 Devotions for the Creative Soul

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By Lisa Bogart

WORTHY PUBLISHING

Copyright © 2015 Lisa Bogart
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-61795-712-3

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CHAPTER 1

Sticks and String

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

Philippians 1:9-10

Why do we play with sticks and string when so many other chores scream for our attention? Do you ever feel guilty about "wasting your time" knitting? I'll confess sometimes I'd rather knit than do just about anything else. It's hard to stop — one more row, one more pattern repeat. But chores beckon and work fills my desk. So between piles of dirty dishes in the sink and loads of laundry, I squeeze in time to make a few stitches. I actually set a timer since I know I'd rather knit than clean.

Why pause to knit? Escape! And I love the peace and quiet; knitting offers the perfect time for reflection. In this quiet frame of mind, my thoughts slow down and my muscles relax. I bet you enjoy the respite knitting gives too. This collection of devotions offers a nugget to read so the heart can ponder while the fingers glide through stitch after stitch.

We knitters are patient people. We take the time to make socks rather than buy a pair. We see a scarf in the store and know we can make it better. We play with patterns. We collect yarn. We decide on colors. This hobby can consume lots of time and energy. And many of us use our knitting as a meditative time of the day. Knitting is a way to pause and think outside yourself, or a time to look within and find deeper meaning.

I'm inviting you to pick up this book of devotions now and then when you knit. I will offer you a little something to think about while you work on your current project. You may find a smile of recognition or a gentle conviction but always a look toward the heavens.

Grab this moment as your own. Enjoy the freedom to pause and find new insights into everyday ideas. This is time well spent; try not to worry about other pressing errands and chores. Have fun with your sticks and string and let your mind wander to heavenly things.

Dear Father, I love quiet time with You! And knitting while we have a moment alone is such a bonus. Peace, yarn and You! I'm a happy knitter! Amen

CHAPTER 2

Welcome!

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:2

It was time for the knit shop to close. We were all packing up from Thursday Night Knitting when Linda said, "Thank you all for knitting with me. I look forward to this every week. I am so glad you all like to knit." I laughed, "I feel the same way. This is my favorite night of the week! I'm glad I found you." All the ladies nodded in agreement. We unanimously loved our weekly gathering.

This was a new knit group for me. I'd only lived in the area for six months. But from the very first night I walked into the lovely little shop, they were welcoming to me. I know this is not true of every group. It took a little searching to find a place where I could pull out my knitting and feel at home. However it just seems to me that knitters are quick to pull in new members. It starts with talking about craft, and soon enough we are sharing a little more and a little more of ourselves with each other.

The welcoming spirit of the knit group is a good reminder for me to bring that same hospitality feeling to all my interactions. Smiling at passersby as I walk on the street. Using my "pleases and thank yous" when people wait on me at the grocery store and other errands. Taking the time to stop what I'm doing, make eye contact, and listen to my family when they need to talk. Little ways to bring the pleasantness of knit night into the rest of my week. And then of course, grabbing my needles to go play with my friends and recharge with another knit night!

Dear Father, thank You for the coziness of a friendly gathering. Help me infuse the rest of my week with those positive feelings. Help me remember I can be kind and open wherever I go. Amen

CHAPTER 3

The Kitchener Stitch

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

The Kitchener stitch is used when you want the seam or join of your project to be invisible. It's most often used for grafting the toes of a sock together. A nifty technique but it's tricky. There may be only a dozen stitches to finish a sock, but it takes all my concentration to get right.

Often my knitting has vast rows of nothing exciting going on. So I let my mind wander. I make to-do lists in my head. I plan the errands of my day. I think of friends and family far away. I watch TV. I do a lot more than attend to the knitting in my hands. But it all comes to a full stop when I do the Kitchener stitch.

I am sure to loose my place and miss a stitch if I let my mind wander. To complete the task, I have to be in the moment. I can't veg-out and wander off mentally. But it's easy to get distracted. It happens to me all the time. Attending a business meeting. Driving to work. Drifting off during a sermon. Chatting on a long phone conversation. I don't mean to but I disconnect.

Loosing my focus during prayer makes me feel guilty. I should be in the moment then. I am in the very presence of God. I am having an intimate conversation. There is no honor in wondering, What's for dinner? This all use to bother me very much until I realized I could talk with God in prayer more often.

I cling to the power of short prayer. A little prayer often goes a long way for keeping me connected to God. This is why I keep me prayers short and often. I do have a quiet time, but it's only the quick beginning to my day. Rather, I pray in short bursts throughout the day. I concentrate for the time it takes to praise, to plead, or to thank. Then I move on. Like working the Kitchener stitch, my prayers are short and concentrated.

Dear Father, even in the rush of my day today, keep me connected to You in prayer. Amen

CHAPTER 4

Hidden Treasures

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:3-4

I love to knit socks. I've made so many pair I've lost count. Today I pulled on my socks, put on my shoes, and realized my hand-knit beauties were covered up and no one could admire my lovely work. It didn't make me sad; in fact I was thinking what a cool little secret I had on my feet at this very moment. I have crazy socks on, hand-knit with expertise. It's taken me a while to enjoy hiding my knitting.

Most often no one ever sees the socks I make. Sure the people who get them are impressed for a little while, but eventually the socks are worn through and discarded. Should I cry over this? No, it's a cool gift to give someone, a secret something that makes them feel special. I like the undercover nature of socks. Not everyone can see the treat I lavished on someone else. It keeps me humble to know there is just one person who loves that pair of socks.

All my sock musing made me think about the verse of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing. And I wondered if it applied here. Do I knit the socks so I can feel cool, or do I knit them to surprise someone else? I like to think it's the surprise of giving someone a treat, but sometimes it's pride. I want the person to know about my amazing knit skills. I want them to be impressed. Like when someone watches me work on double-pointed needles. It just looks so impressively complicated, though with practice it becomes easier.

So I am trying to shift my focus. These days when I knit a pair of socks, I think about the person they are for and pray for them as I work. The hidden little gift of love will be just for them. I will send it with the hope they enjoy the secret fun of having hand-knit socks. And when the socks are worn through, I hope I'm ready to make another secret pair.

Dear Father, let me rest in the secret of a job well done for You. Amen

CHAPTER 5

Lacework

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Jeremiah 29:11-13

I did it. I attempted a lace project. I have long been intimidated by lace, but it's so beautiful I wanted to give it a try. I started out simple with the leg of a sock: six stitches in the pattern repeat and only four rows in the design. Turns out, lace is great fun. It definitely kept me on my toes and challenged me.

I was still nervous working on my socks. I proceeded slowly to minimize mistakes. Troubleshooting a misstep in lace was hard for me. I could see a problem, but the only fix seemed to be ripping back. So I watched what I was doing very carefully.

Lace is full K2tog (knit 2 stitches together) to decrease and YO (yarn over) to increase. As well as S1 (slip one stitch) and PSSO (pass slip stich over worked stitch). All those increases and decreases are what make the holes. If you follow the pattern, the holes are formed in the right places and a pleasing design emerges. If you put the YOs and K2togs in the wrong places, there is no pretty pattern.

Paying attention to the details, I realized that over the space of one row no matter how many K2togs or YOs I did the number of stitches in the row remained constant. I wasn't loosing or gaining stitches; I was forming lace. So exciting to watch it grow on my needles.

I did finally get into the rhythm of my sock project and could knit along without checking the chart every single row. I started thinking about all those increases and decreases. It reminded me of how God seems to work in my life.

He takes things away (K2tog), and He gives blessings (yarn overs). But sometimes I can't see the whole pattern. I get frustrated not knowing why something is being taken away. Then by the time things are done (at the end of the row), there is a yarn over of blessing somewhere that has increased my life. I don't like the discipline of things being removed from me, but I am beginning to see it is necessary. It takes both increases and decreases for a pleasing pattern.

It took me a week to finish one lace cuff on that first sock. I ripped back several times to get it right. I had tried something hard and was rewarded with a glimpse of blessing. I am watched over by a God who loves me, One who has a plan for me. I receive both discipline and blessing in my life.

Dear Father, I appreciate the blessings You pour in my life. Help me to see the things You withhold are equally a blessing to me. Amen

CHAPTER 6

Head to Toe

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25

I put on hand-knit socks. I buttoned a cardigan. I pulled on fingerless mitts. I slipped a scarf around my neck and put a hat on my head. I was ready for an autumn walk. Then I laughed when I realized I was covered in yarn. Head to toe I was warm and toasty with merino and cashmere. I enjoy wearing the things I knit.

I admired my handiwork. Cables twisting up the front of my sweater. I remember the mystery of cables. I was surprised to learn they were relatively easy, just knitting the stitches out of order. I wiggled my toes. I remember thinking socks were beyond my knitting expertise. I was scared to even attempt them. Who knew they are just a tube that bends in the middle? I've learned so much through decades of knitting. Looking over my garments, I felt wrapped in more then warmth. I felt accomplishment. I didn't realize what a stockpile of creations I had. Sometimes it's a good idea to take a look at how far you've come.

It's a good idea to take a look at how my Christian walk is going as well. I have been on this journey for years and have learned a lot. But to rest in the knowledge I have so far is to miss out on new facets of faith. I want to move toward a richer understanding and belief. Just as I learn new knit tricks and tips from the community I know, staying connecting to the faith community I will learn more about the God I love. Staying close to God in prayer is another way to grow in faith.

There is so much to discover. Sometimes I have to learn a faith lesson a second and even third or fourth time. And that is why I can't rest on my insights and knowledge so far. I have to keep learning and seeking and growing. Each addition of information, each prayer, each story shared from another's faith journey adds new things to ponder. It's exhausting yet exhilarating. When I step back and look at how far I've come knowing God, I realize faith is a lifetime journey. I have come a long way, and we are still together on the road to discovery.

Dear Father, You are beyond measure! I will never know You fully, but there is excitement is learning more and more about You. I want the prize of renewed faith today. Amen

CHAPTER 7

Weighing In

His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in your master's happiness!"

Matthew 25:21

How much yarn am I going to need? How much yarn have I already used? It's a mystery! Well not quite. I learned a trick when I worked at a local yarn shop. You weigh the yarn. I realize this will seem obvious to some knitters and be a big surprise to others. I was in the latter group. It makes perfect sense though; you know a lot when you weigh in. I bought a kitchen scale. I weigh my yarn before, during, and after I knit. Now I can plan and use my yarn wisely.

Last winter I knit a lot of hats for charity. I pulled all kinds of yarn from my stash, using up many great colors and textures. I worked with a basic beanie pattern. The design fun came by putting different yarn combinations together. And it was easier to plan if I weighed the yarn so I knew how far it would go. I knit one hat in a solid color and weighed it. Then I knew how much yarn I'd need to make a hat that size. Turns out it was 38 grams.

So when I looked at my stash, and pulled out more yarn to play with, I weighed it to see if I had enough for a whole hat. Often times I did not. But I added a few extra color choices and voilà! A whole hat was born. It was great fun to fit together the puzzle of each hat.

Weighing in gives you useful information for all kinds of projects: Do I have enough yarn for the second sock or mitten or glove? How much yarn do I need for this baby sweater? How much yarn did I use for that scarf? I want to knit another one! It helps so much in planning and using resources wisely.

And I love the stewardship of this technique. I use what I have on hand rather then buying more yarn. Most knitters I know have far more yarn then they have time to knit. Sometimes I feel guilty for all the yarn in my stash. But I've found weighing it helps me better use what I already have. What is in your stash that you can use now? Weigh in, and find out.

Dear Father, I love to buy yarn! I have so many pretty choices in my stash. I want to be a good steward of all I have. Remind me to go shopping in my stash soon. Amen

CHAPTER 8

Biblical Knitter

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. ... She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

Proverbs 31:13, 25

The woman described in Proverbs 31 gets a bad rap. She is, after all, annoyingly perfect. She cooks and cleans and raises the children. She's wise, faithful, strong, disciplined, and noble. She's a smart businesswoman as well as keeping her husband happy at home. She may even be a size six. It seems she has her whole life effortlessly together. But I wonder, just maybe, if she's able to do all those amazing things not only because she loves the Lord but she also has the good sense to knit.

Verse 13 says: She gathers wool and flax and works with eager hands. She knows she is making fabric to clothe her family. And she also knows she will get a moment's peace when she knits. She will have time to herself to think and dream, pray and plan. I'm sure I'm taking liberties with my interpretation, but isn't it a lovely thought that God gave this busy woman a way to relax in the midst of her industry?

You and I know this secret of knitting. You and I share the delight of fiber in our fingers. Like the Proverbs 31 woman we are eager to get to our knitting. Even when struggling with a difficult pattern or having made a mess of a project, there is something so satisfying about knitting. In all the things listed that woman accomplishes, it is a happy thing to see knitting called out as a good thing for her to undertake.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Knit Purl Pray by Lisa Bogart. Copyright © 2015 Lisa Bogart. Excerpted by permission of WORTHY PUBLISHING.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

Introduction,
1. Sticks and String,
2. Welcome!,
3. The Kitchener Stitch,
4. Hidden Treasures,
5. Lacework,
6. Head to Toe,
7. Weighing In,
8. Biblical Knitter,
9. The Fabric of Life,
10. Tuesday Night Knits,
11. Woolen Prayers,
12. Lifelines,
13. What Is It?,
14. Marked by Love,
15. Threads of History,
16. Raglan Construction,
17. Lessons from My Knit Bag,
18. Swatches,
19. Follow the Directions,
20. Picture Perfect,
21. The Search,
22. Monkey Mind,
23. The LYS (Local Yarn Shop),
24. Fresh Eyes,
25. The Selfish Knitter,
26. Yarn overs,
27. Gifts to Share,
28. Metal or Bamboo,
29. Bundled Up,
30. Multitasking,
31. Happy Hobbies,
32. The Learning Curve,
33. Knitting Lesson,
34. Mistakes,
35. Novelty Yarns,
36. Don't Help Me,
37. Goldilocks,
38. Full-Sized Love,
39. Comfort for the Furry,
40. Superpowers,
41. Knit for Marie,
42. Baby Sweaters,
43. Heating Up and Making Changes,
44. Nature's Patterns,
45. Weaving in the Ends,
46. Knit Your Bit,
47. Progress on the Needles,
48. Darn It!,
49. Thanks, Mom,
50. Wise Women,
51. I Speak Knittish,
52. Passion!,
Patterns,
The Slouchy Beehive Hat,
Coffee Cup Cozies,