I love to knit. When I pick a ball of yarn it speaks to me. It tells me what it wants to be transformed into—a sweater, or maybe a dress, or maybe a blouse. I think of a pattern that the yarn would love to be and I get to work. I find the count of stitches very relaxing; it takes my mind off the worry, anxiety, and sadness that I sometimes feel right now. When I knit, I am in the National Park of Peace. It is always restful and quiet. There is nobody around and I can roam wherever I like. I am happy and free. It is woolly-warm and fuzzy, soft and calming, never-ending.
Daria Malave, Age 38
Corona, New York City, NY
This story is a selection from National Parks of Emotion, an evolving participatory art project documenting people’s emotional experience during the Covid-19 pandemic. Writing edited by David Goldstein, photos edited by Mindy Stricke.