Bright orange beanie

It's my first knitting project, i still wear it, it's my keeper

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My first knitting project was a bright orange wool beanie I made 15 years ago during a tough time. On a dreary winter day, I found a yarn shop with a colorful display. I picked some soft, bright orange wool purely because I loved the color and feel. Since I was a novice with just the basic stitches i learned from my grandma, the shopkeeper suggested I start with an easy project like a beanie.

I knitted a mini scarf, sewing it into a tube, and closing one end. It took me 10 days to finish. During the process, I listened to audiobooks and music, which helped me find a sense of calm.

"After that first beanie, I knitted 5-6 more with much more even stitching and fewer mistakes. I gifted them to family members, who were pleasantly surprised by my newfound skill. They had no idea that knitting was my way of coping with darkness. Few people around me had knitting as a hobby.

Even though my initial beanie was a bit bumpy and imperfect, I still wear it. It’s soft, has held up well, and the quirks have smoothed out over time. This beanie is a keeper for me; it taught me that it’s ok to be imperfect, it also reminds me of how I found my way out of a dark period. Since then, bright orange has become my favorite color.