I was wearing a sweater that I made to work the other day and someone asked me who made it for me. I replied with “Yes, I made it for me!” Their response was, “Oh, I didn’t know you were a real knitter.”
I was not sure how to respond to that. What makes someone a real knitter? What is a real knitter? Isn’t someone who knits a knitter? Are there levels to knitting? Is there a certain point that you cross over from non-knitter to knitter? Is it when you cast on the first stitch? Or is it after you have completed a project?
A real knitter, in my mind is a person who knits. Whether they have knit endless amounts of projects or have only knit a few. If you have started and completed several projects, you are a knitter. Just like I would not say because I went on one bike ride with my children, that I am a biker.
If knitting is something that you are passionate about and that you engage in on a continuous basis, you research new patterns to knit and you stop by LYS and other crafting stores to purchase yarn and other notions to knit with, you are a knitter. If your family and friends know that the best gift to give you is yarn, needles or other notions, you are a knitter.
Am I a real knitter? I engage in the activity almost daily. So yes, I am a real knitter!
What makes you a real knitter?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
My Guilty Mind
Recently, my addiction to knitting has made me feel guilty. Very guilty. First, I feel as though I am never going to win the Mother of the Year award as long as I continue to knit. My daughter, my poor thirsty daughter, came to me the other night and asked me if I could “Please”, get her a drink of pink milk. Well, after the Please was added with out having to ask her for it, I felt I should get it for her right away. So I told her that I absolutely would get her a drink, and I loved the way she asked. (At this point I had just started a row of 85 stitches that included several yos, k2togs, purls and stitch markers.) I kindly mentioned that I needed to finish my row quick and I would be right with her. She said “OK” and stood there, staring at me as I worked on my row. Several times asking me how many more stitches? A little bit later, I finished my row and automatically started the next row. Without thinking, my dear thirsty daughter stands before me waiting for me to get her a drink and I started the next row. I had shocked myself and felt very guilty. I continued to knit into this next row of stitches wrestling in my mind whether I should carefully put down my project and get my polite, patient daughter a drink, or make her wait for another row, putting my knitting before her. Guilt! Guilt! Guilt!
Next, on another note, I have knit many projects for family and friends, and a multitude for myself. I enjoy looking through patterns and thinking who it would be perfect for; my children, my husband, a friend or myself. Someone had mentioned several different charities for which they knit. After much thought, I had not knit for any charities, ever. Does that make me a terrible person? I have knit scarves, hats, mittens and sweaters for my children. Hats for my hubby. Shawls, lap-robes, hats, scarves, golf club covers, and the list goes on for friends and extended family. I have NEVER knit for a charity. I have read about them and looked into them, however never once knit a stitch for one. Does this make me a terrible person? Should I extend my knitting to charities? Perhaps I will add charity knitting to my project list. Actually, I think I will. This way I can eliminate some of my guilt.
As for my children, and husband at times too, I think that it is something that they are very familiar with. Especially when my husband starts a request with, “When you are done with that row…” I guess I should not feel guilty about them waiting for one minute, or several minutes, while I finish a row. I could be doing something much worse than knitting that I make them wait for my attention. After all, most times I am working on items for them.
What makes you feel guilty about knitting? Is it a guilt that you can live with?
Next, on another note, I have knit many projects for family and friends, and a multitude for myself. I enjoy looking through patterns and thinking who it would be perfect for; my children, my husband, a friend or myself. Someone had mentioned several different charities for which they knit. After much thought, I had not knit for any charities, ever. Does that make me a terrible person? I have knit scarves, hats, mittens and sweaters for my children. Hats for my hubby. Shawls, lap-robes, hats, scarves, golf club covers, and the list goes on for friends and extended family. I have NEVER knit for a charity. I have read about them and looked into them, however never once knit a stitch for one. Does this make me a terrible person? Should I extend my knitting to charities? Perhaps I will add charity knitting to my project list. Actually, I think I will. This way I can eliminate some of my guilt.
As for my children, and husband at times too, I think that it is something that they are very familiar with. Especially when my husband starts a request with, “When you are done with that row…” I guess I should not feel guilty about them waiting for one minute, or several minutes, while I finish a row. I could be doing something much worse than knitting that I make them wait for my attention. After all, most times I am working on items for them.
What makes you feel guilty about knitting? Is it a guilt that you can live with?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Comparing Knitting!
As I was looking at a new pattern the other night, I was thinking about the knitting process and how you can compare so much of knitting to other things. There are podcasts that creatively connect to things such as a coffee shop like the Knit Knit Café podcast. The following morning while I was practicing yoga, and attempting to do a new move, I found a similarity.
When I first started out knitting (only 4 short years ago), everything was very unfamiliar to me. There were many tools that I needed and had to familiarize myself with what their purpose was; straight needles, circular needles, different sizes and lengths, stitch markers, stitch holders, and the list will go on and on. I would read different books and magazines to learn new things, well the basics at first. I had to continuously look to be sure I was in fact casting on correctly and in fact doing a knit stitch, not a purl stitch. I would look at pattern and think, “Wow! I can’t do that yet, but I will.” After quickly getting down the basics of the knit and purl stitches, casting on and casting off, with out looking in a book or having to double check that I was doing it right. I was able to create many different items, mostly scarves, without looking at a pattern. I would look for another pattern that was slightly more challenging and go through the same process until again I was able to do this with out looking. I could read the abbreviations without having to look up what PSSO, YO, K2tog, and BO mean, just to name a few and know how to do them. I would move on to more challenging pieces until I was again comfortable with my newly learned skills and move on. It is an exciting process because there is always something more that I can learn, do and master. In only four short years I have emerged into a knitter.
When I first started doing yoga (only 4 short months ago), everything felt very strange to me. There were things that I needed; a mat, blocks, strap, bolster, etc. I grabbed a Yoga Journal magazine and a few basic yoga books and started to teach myself the poses, or asanas as they are called. It appears that each pose has several names. I had to keep looking to be sure I was in fact in Adho Mukha Svanasana also known as Downward Facing Dog, and not Ardha Uttanasana which is Standing Half Forward Bend. Once I learn the poses and am able to do them and hold them for a few breaths, feel the stretch and length from them, I move on to new asanas. Yoga is amazing because there is no one to compete with to be better, just myself. There are always more to learn, do and master. In only four short months I have emerged into a yogi.
Knitting and yoga are two personal enjoyments that provide very similar results. They are noncompetitive, relaxing individual things. They can be done with others, however it is still a personal experience that you have. Someone can guide you when you are stuck or just not right in your stitch or pose, however you are the one to learn, do and master. I enjoy my knitting and yoga and how they both bring me such similar joys.
With what do you compare knitting?
Enjoy your similarities.
When I first started out knitting (only 4 short years ago), everything was very unfamiliar to me. There were many tools that I needed and had to familiarize myself with what their purpose was; straight needles, circular needles, different sizes and lengths, stitch markers, stitch holders, and the list will go on and on. I would read different books and magazines to learn new things, well the basics at first. I had to continuously look to be sure I was in fact casting on correctly and in fact doing a knit stitch, not a purl stitch. I would look at pattern and think, “Wow! I can’t do that yet, but I will.” After quickly getting down the basics of the knit and purl stitches, casting on and casting off, with out looking in a book or having to double check that I was doing it right. I was able to create many different items, mostly scarves, without looking at a pattern. I would look for another pattern that was slightly more challenging and go through the same process until again I was able to do this with out looking. I could read the abbreviations without having to look up what PSSO, YO, K2tog, and BO mean, just to name a few and know how to do them. I would move on to more challenging pieces until I was again comfortable with my newly learned skills and move on. It is an exciting process because there is always something more that I can learn, do and master. In only four short years I have emerged into a knitter.
When I first started doing yoga (only 4 short months ago), everything felt very strange to me. There were things that I needed; a mat, blocks, strap, bolster, etc. I grabbed a Yoga Journal magazine and a few basic yoga books and started to teach myself the poses, or asanas as they are called. It appears that each pose has several names. I had to keep looking to be sure I was in fact in Adho Mukha Svanasana also known as Downward Facing Dog, and not Ardha Uttanasana which is Standing Half Forward Bend. Once I learn the poses and am able to do them and hold them for a few breaths, feel the stretch and length from them, I move on to new asanas. Yoga is amazing because there is no one to compete with to be better, just myself. There are always more to learn, do and master. In only four short months I have emerged into a yogi.
Knitting and yoga are two personal enjoyments that provide very similar results. They are noncompetitive, relaxing individual things. They can be done with others, however it is still a personal experience that you have. Someone can guide you when you are stuck or just not right in your stitch or pose, however you are the one to learn, do and master. I enjoy my knitting and yoga and how they both bring me such similar joys.
With what do you compare knitting?
Enjoy your similarities.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
What is knitting?
When you think of the word knitting, what do you picture?
Is it an old lady with a shawl that she made wrapped around her shoulders holding plastic needles as they click away with her acrylic yarn that she got on sale at Woolworths? The yarn that extends down to her tapestry bag that sits closely on the floor near her chair holding the ball of yarn and her other tools. Is she sitting in the quiet of her room working on another baby sweater that she will donate to her church for their annual craft fair? or
Is it a 30 something with a tatoo on her wrist, listening to a The Knit Wits podcast on her ipod, bamboo needles in her hands tapping away with her alpaca yarn she purchased at the local farm? The yarn is leading to her chic project bag holding her supplies and two other projects that is sitting next to her on the couch. Is she finishing a funky scarf that will perfectly match her outfit she will wear Friday night?
I see both of these pictures! The first being my Great-grandmother, Helen (bless her) and the second, myself.
I have heard people tell me that knitting is a waste of my time and money. It is something for old ladies when they are living alone and have nothing else to do. My response to this is, it is my time and money and it is not at all a waste of either. In fact I consider it a tool that helps me to relax and have a less stressful day. It is wonderful to know at the end of my day when the chaos has settled, I can sit on the couch and progress with my project. And if "old" ladies are knitting, YEAH to them for doing such a pleasurable craft. I am honored to share the love of yarn with them.
Knitting is a form of creativity, a stress reducer and a last minute helper to have the perfect accessory. It is amazing that you can take two needles, some yarn and after a short time have an amazing item to wear, use, gift and enjoy!
There is always something new. There is no way to get board with knitting. It is an activity that there is always something more to learn and create. With one pair of needles and yarn, there is an endless amount of creativity that can emerge. There are basic patterns with detailed yarn. Detailed projects with basic yarn. The amount of projects that are out there to create are unlimited and I plan to make as many as I am able.
When I hear the word knitting, I picture comfort, relaxation, creativity! When my Great-grandmother would sit in her room and knit her projects, she seemed content and peaceful. I feel the same as I believe she looked.
I wonder what my Great-grandmother pictured when she thought of knitting! I wish I could go back in time.
What do you picture when you hear knitting?
Enjoy your knitting and all that it brings to your picture!
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