It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. So go the opening lines of "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens. Those words have a certain authentic ring in 2009, as well.

There just is no denying it. Times are tough. Jobs are so hard to find; and when a good job is lost it is difficult indeed, to replace it with another. Security seems to be slipping through our fingers, faster every day. Prices of food, energy, just living, seem to go higher as each minute ticks by. Just five minutes in front of the TV news, and our anxiety level can hit the roof.

What to do?

Be knitting. I say that in the present tense, because that's what I like to believe I do, daily. I will give you four reasons why.

#1. The satisfaction of a hobby is unrivaled in anything else you do. That is why you can still find yourself at midnight, finishing a project that you have waited so long to see, and it cannot wait another day. Or using any extra money, no matter how much or how little, to buy your favorite yarn. Your non-knitting friends and family will truly think you have gone over the edge.

By giving yourself over to learning and perfecting a hobby is a sacrifice. Now, there's a word you seldom hear anymore! But, hours spent doing something else, or going somewhere else is devoted to what makes you tick. To what makes you happy. And, that, after all, is what a hobby is. When you catch yourself in the middle of a busy workday, thinking about tonight or the weekend when it's just you and your needles, you know you have caught the "knitting bug"; and this is one malady that can stick around forever.

#2. There is nothing I love more than to wander around in a beautiful yarn shop. Just touching and seeing all the sublime yarns and textures and colors can take my breath away! The only drawback being some of the stuff is expensive indeed! If you look hard enough, though, there are always yarns that fit any desire and any pocketbook. So, you never have to worry about saving up for very long, for that sought-after yarn. Whatever knitting project is your heart's desire is usually just a few skeins away.

Remember that whatever you wish to knit, you can always substitute one yarn for another. The results are usually similar, and like a good fake diamond, no one will ever know the difference!

#3. Once upon a time knitting patterns were hard to find. Magazines were scarce and a trip to the local library was occasionally a help, and if you were lucky enough to live close to a knitting shop then pattern ideas were available. Of course, far more people never had those opportunities, and if no one in your family knew knitting then chances are you would have trouble learning it, too.

The Internet has changed the world of knitting. Good knitting sites abound, and any pattern you can think up is free for the searching. Just print and go, I say, and have a nice day!

#4. Lastly, what you "make" of your knitting is really all up to you! If you like scarves or sweaters or baby blankets or children's clothing or jewelry or men's vests or shawls or placemats or dishcloths or toy animals and dolls, or curtains or Christmas decorations or bathroom items or kitchen items or afghans or socks or lacy creations. . . you can do it!

There is no end to the gallery of gifts galore you can create! The only missing element is your expertise. And that element comes from you. So, what are you waiting for? Find the time, create the space, pick up the yarn and needles, and 'be knitting.'