Monday, August 13, 2007

K is for... Knitting

If you've been round these parts for a while, you might remember my efforts to learn how to knit. I wanted to make some little Christmas stockings, but they proved too ambitious and I am ashamed to admit that I gave up. Months later though, I did buy a copy of 'Kids learn to knit' - a wonderful little book pitched at 6 to 9 year olds. Spot on for my levels of patience.

I don't know what made me pick it up tonight - perhaps for a bit of mindless yet absorbing activity. I had a phone call today giving me a date for Mark's multidisciplinary assessment at the hospital and for some reason, it's sent me into a bit of a tailspin. I need distraction.

Funny thing is, both boys wanted to knit too. So with one 'knit stick' and some 'string' each and no idea, they began. And so did I, only I did have two sticks and some gorgeous alpaca that Tasha gave me ages ago. Hey, I may be a novice, but it doesn't mean I have to use bad yarn right?!

I'm planning on a Hooting Henry - hoping he comes with extra wisdom.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well you're holding those needles and that gorgeous yarn like a pro! K is definitely for knitting, it couldn't be anything else! I hope you get hooked x.

Anonymous said...

I cannot learn to knit for the life of me - it defeated me as a child, and now I'm older and have tried a few times I get bored and frustrated WAY too easily. Plus holding the kneedles hurts - I don't know if I just have terrible technique or if people with little hands should have little needles! Good luck, though!

weirdbunny said...

I taught my kids to knit basic recently. Instead of calling them knitting needles, she called them pins ! I so wish I could knit properly I'd love to knit socks - Julia x

Candlestring said...

Using nice yarn is half the battle. Or would that be half the fun? Anyway, if you don't like knitting try crochet - much quicker and easier IMO. At least, for me having just one hook vs. two needles makes for twice as fast. Check out the little outfit I made for Flowergirl - pics are up on my blog for yesterday and today.
I love that you let your kids knit, too.
And sending my best your way for Mark.
And, no worries about abandoning a project. It bugs me to do that, too, but sometims it just means you're smart. I was just thinking today about how often I've sent good money after bad because I was too stubborn.

Anonymous said...

Kids books are the best for leanring things, any kind of things. And of course you should use great yarn.

Just to contradict, I find knitting much easier than crochet. Perhaps I am just contrary.

Anonymous said...

Yay! Keep it up, girl. I have given up my dreams of learning to knit until weather gets cooler.

ljm said...

Love the picture of your boy "knitting". Ethan is always asking me to teach him and I just have to let him play around his own way. Some day hopefully I'll have the patience to really show him how!

Sue said...

Have fun with the knitting, and I am sure you will be addicted in no time at all. The owl looks cute too.

Joanna said...

For some reason I thought you were going glamping this weekend...can't wait to hear how that goes.

So great that you are knitting. Yay for you! I've been working on knitting a dishcloth for the past 2 months. I just haven't been able to sit long enough to get it done!

Anonymous said...

I find knitting hard, I can cast on but then extra stitches keep appearing from somewhere! The owl looks good, is the assesment soon?

Joanna said...

I love to knit and did that before sewing. I never made anything complicated but used fantastic yarns (and ribbons) to make it look really clever Keep going it can be so relaxing.

Junie Moon said...

It's great to see tiny little hands working on their knitting--it's never to early to encourage learning such things. You know how it's said that yarn has memory? Even if kids put down the knitting and don't go back to it for a gazillion years, I do believe their hands will "remember" when they decide to try it again.

Anonymous said...

You have inspired me again! I started knitting a cardigan ages ago but realised I would have to lose 2 stone before I could wear it - I can never follow patterns - anyway I think I will take the knitting needles on holiday and make a scarf - surely I can't go wrong...

Anonymous said...

I used to knit a lot - I learned how to do it walking around with balls of wool in my pockets and churned out coats in hundreds of colours.
I don't know why I stopped - it was very thereputic and stopped me biting my nails - perhaps I should take it up again.
J
x

Natasha said...

I can't count the number of times that I have used a children's how-to book to learn something new. It sounds goofy admitting it but it sure simplifies things.:)

Gretchen said...

My great-aunt tried to teach me to knit one time and quickly gave up and told my mother I had no talent for it. :)

julie said...

Yay, keep up with the knitting - I always new you were a lady of quality and your choice of yarn proves it, alpaca definitely beats acrylic into a cocked hat!

Anonymous said...

hey, I think it's looking great and don't give up because the more you practice and relax with it the easier it becomes. I love knitting...I think it's the repetitiveness of it. My advoce is to start of with something small but an actual pattern so that you see something at the end of it rather than just a piece of knitting...I've been knitting since I was little but nothing major. It's only now that I'm keen to follow patterns and make things. And yes, good yarn is definately the way to go...it makes the experience so much better.

Go girl!

Mark laughs at me when I'm knitting...he thinks I'm like an old granny!!!

Louise said...

Good for you! My girlfriend recently bought a children's book for crochet and it worked a treat.