Kavita Bisht

Kavita joined Needles to Say More in 2012. Part of the first batch of enthusiastic women embarking on an unknown adventure, she started from learning how to knit with circular needles and how to follow knitting patterns. It’s been quite a journey, to becoming an expert knitter and a smart, strong woman.

Born in Mona village (Chaukuni) Kavita grew up doing all the expected household chores, attending school, and enjoying friends and family. After completing her Class 10 exams, Kavita was married to Heera, who was an Army cook at Ranikhet. 

While Heera worked in Ranikhet, Kavita inherited his big family in Ganiyadoli. She had to run the household, look after cows and buffaloes, and tend to the fields of pulses and grain. There was no time for knitting, especially after the birth of her son in 2002 and daughter in 2003. 

Kavita would single handedly manage the children and their schooling in the early years. She moved to Ranikhet when it became difficult to manage the children alone. After renting a house for some years, Heera and Kavita saved up enough money to repair the old family home in Ranikhet. Now, they enjoy living in their lovely home, and there are delicious meals too…the perks of a cook being the father of the house!

Kavita recalls those days when she wanted to join NTSM. The children were young,  and her husband was not convinced about her ability to manage home and knitting, but Kavita handled it all with patience and love. Getting the children ready and dropping  them to school, attending NTSM knitting sessions, doing the housework, Kavita did it all. Now her children lend a hand in the housework, take care of their studies, and even make yarn balls for Kavita’s knitting!

The initial months with NSTM was all about learning about ripping (a terrifying and unheard concept in the hills), new techniques for casting on, gauge, sizing, good finishing and so much more, all under the strict guidance of Dr. Mala. She remembers feeling scared of knitting charts and patterns. Now, she believes that knitting with charts is much easier than trying to memorize patterns. 

Kavita treasures the support system and extended family within the NTSM community. With her strong knitting skills, she creates beautiful knits and tries out new patterns. In addition to managing the house, she now gets to meet all the knitters on Wednesdays, have some fun and also earn well. She remembers how thrilled with her first salary. Over the years, she has invested her earnings in gold. With salaries being transferred directly to bank accounts, Kavita has learnt to comfortably manage her own finances.  

During COVID times, when everyone’s work stopped, Kavita continued knitting, with NTSM arranging for yarn and project details to be dropped at her house. She feels blessed to be a part of NTSM, especially for the steady support, and the way everyone watches each other’s back.   

Kavita believes that her life is going on very well. She is part of something meaningful, she has learnt a lot, she is earning and handling her own expenses…She is HAPPY!!