Prompt:- Self discovery through art
Ankit was always fond of knitting. It fascinated how his grandmother sent him a sweater with his favourite cartoon character every year. She could knit anything from Mickey Mouse, to Garfield or Donald Duck.
When children his age wanted cricket bats, guns, airplanes, he begged his parents for yarn and needles. He would sit in his room with various colored yarn spools lying on the bed as his fingers dance across the needles. His eyes would be intently focussed on the next knot, the next loop, while the fabric growing beneath his hands.
His face was calm and serene while eyes lit up as his hands moved deftly, across the fabric.
Other children made fun of him, he paid no attention instead he would proudly wear his knitted sweaters to school. Unfortunately he couldn’t continue his hobby for long as mounting pressure of academics and extra curricular took toll on him. He was neck deep buried with books as he prepared for engineering entrance exams.
He did try to restart his hobby in college but the constant mocking and teasing made him quit.
He never understood why he was picked for. Why was this hobby considered effeminate?
Growing up he faced bullying, harassment and felt isolated. He thought it would change but he seldom found any peers who would be interested in the same pursuit.
He would often hang out with her grandmother and her knitting friends. They encouraged him to not be bothered and pursue as long as it made him happy.
When she passed away he completely quit it as he felt now no one would understand him.
As he became busy with other commitments, the needles got buried in a box somewhere.
But life has a way of surprising us. He got laid off like many of his peers during the COVID pandemic. He soon reignited his passion and started posting on social media.
As his channel grew, he found a way to monetize and pursue his hobby full time.
His quirky and uniquely knitted sweaters quickly grew in demand.
Once while buying supplies he saw a young boy with his mother getting the beginners kit, a wide smile spread across his face.
