There is something soothing about a yarn shop. Maybe it is the feel of the fiber, the rhythm your hands and feet fall into, or the satisfaction of making something that reflects you.
"It's certainly brought me a lot of nice, warm things to wear," said Aaron Bush.
Bush taught himself to knit in 2005, a nice contrast to his day job in information technology.
"This is a completely different side of the brain," he said.
If you are saying to yourself - I thought knitting was for women -you are so wrong.
"I don't think there's anything gender based or anything that's more feminine or masculine about any particular craft certainly not about wrapping a piece of wool around a couple of sticks," said Bush.
In fact, he says, it is a growing art among men.
"There's a large community online of men who knit, a site called menwhoknit.com and we have well over 2000 members," said Bush.
A few years back men knitting retreats started popping up.
"The first was held locally by a couple of gentlemen who wanted to create a different atmosphere," said Bush. "Just to have a space for men to gather and learn from each other."
Since then there have been retreats in Seattle, Colorado, the UK, even New Zealand.
"It's spread all over the world," said Bush.
In a world where we can buy anything we need, Bush says there is something to be said for making something for yourself.
"I think people are enjoying that a lot more, learning how to make things," said Bush. "Take some time, slow down and create something."
Taking time, slowing down, putting a piece of ourselves into something. Those are values important for us all to remember, no matter our background, our age, our gender.
"There's a lot to learn along the way about yourself too it teaches you to slow down, treasure the moment," said Bush.
