So I’ve been on more of a knitting binge than usual lately. Not only do I find it incredibly relaxing – I can sit and knit and find myself completely “in the zone” for long periods of time – but it’s also fun to watch beautiful things coming off the end of my knitting needles.
I’d never done anything crafty until whiterabbit was a baby. I was complaining one day to a friend that I was bored with just housework and baby, and finally, in exasperation, she said, “Oh, why don’t you go learn to crochet or something!” So I went out, bought a book, crochet hook, and a pile of cheap yarn, and taught myself to crochet by crocheting a ripple afghan in three days. It started off loose at one end and got tighter and tighter at the other, but my dad insisted it was perfect to cover his lap and so kept it for all these years. My mom still has it.
Anyway, I crocheted for a while, then tried cross-stitch, which I enjoyed, but finally picked up knitting and found my true crafting love. I’ve been knitting now for probably 20 years, off and on; I had to quit for a few years when arthritis in one thumb made it too painful, but I had surgery on that thumb and it doesn’t hurt at all now, so the first thing I did when I could use my hand again was pick up some knitting needles. I’ve knitted an assortment of sweaters and shawls and whatnot over the years, but have never tried accumulating a stock of knitted stuff to sell at craft shows – until now.
So what’s the first thing you need to knit? Yarn. Lots and lots of yarn. I’ve been indulging myself recently, getting small quantities of this and that. There are a zillion gorgeous yarns out there. And I got a ball winder and swift so I can ball up the yarn easily – when you’re dealing with lace-weight yarns, there’s a LOT of yardage there to deal with.
And then to make it most fun of all, I’ve started working on knitting lace. Which was a massive struggle at first, since I’m left-handed and I do everything backwards, but I’ve finally figured out how to reverse all the patterns and it’s starting to happen now.
So here are some of the pretty things I’ve knitted recently:
An entrelac (basketweave-style) shawl from Noro Silk Garden yarn that I gave to whiterabbit as a thank-you for taking care of me after my knee surgery.
The basketweave scarf that I knitted for Papa Tigs just in time for spring to arrive.
Another cabled scarf that doesn’t show properly in the photo for some reason, but the cabling is really intricate.
A surprisingly simple diamonds and mesh scarf.
Another amazingly simple diagonal lace scarf – I fell in love with this yarn at my local Very Expensive Yarn Shop, and just had to bring it home and find something pretty to do with it.
My first leaf lace pattern scarf – it’s small but was a great learning experience.
A more elaborate small Forest Canopy shawl, lots of leaves in a triangular shape.
My current project underway: The Moonlight Sonata shawl, which is an intricate pattern that produces circles-within-circles – also a real learning experience, obviously!
And, of course, last but definitely not least, the Flying Spaghetti Monster with all His noodly appendages!
So as you can see, I’m trying lots of stuff and playing around a whole bunch, and having way too much fun. It’ll be a few months before I have enough stuff stocked up to sell, but it will definitely be fun when I finally get there!
and still can’t quite remember that I hate woollen jackets - even more if they’re long-haired wool (we’ve only been putting up with each other for 39 years and change).
She’s also the one first on the scene a couple week’s ago when Amy’s son was killed, and she had to pronounce them. Lorraine was a basket case at the funeral, and much sympathy and support went to her.
