Thursday, February 12, 2015

My latest fascination


When I was 10 or 11, I took a couple of knitting classes through 4-H Club. A kindly elderly lady, Edna, was my teacher. When I walked to her house after school, she always had hot chocolate and cookies waiting.


 

We knit through hot pads, slippers, headbands, head scarves, coin purses, and other projects in the 4-H knitting book. I learned the garter, stockinette, rib, and seed stitches using my red plastic needles.



During the last class, I attempted a sweater (the pattern of which was way beyond my ability and level). It was of turquoise yarn and had a lacy stitch across the shoulders. It took a long time, but I finished it, with a lot of help from Edna. Unfortunately, it had several noticeable "problems".  I gave it to my mother, who thanked me, smiled, and put it in a dresser drawer. Neither of us spoke of it again. And I went on to other things.



But here I am, years later, trying it again. So far I've done a scarf, wristers (fingerless gloves), and am currently working on a shawl.

No sweaters. But maybe, in time. We'll see....


9 comments:

Anonymous said...

in this time when fragments
heralded, some
thing so re
assuring in whole
cloth, total
radiance of
chromatic weave of scarf
& gloves,
& whatever emerges next
from so many knotted
moments
into symphonic swatch: cherishing
each
yarn twist
& even more
this new language you learn
assembling moments
into a yarn
of who you're be
coming, giving your story a novel
shape
say an infinity
scarf?

sonia a. mascaro said...

Sounds good that you are trying knitting again! The shawl looks beautiful!
I don't know knitting and I don't have any talent to tricot and crochet... My grandmother and my mother was very talented on tricot and crochet.

Wishing you and yours a nice weekend.

Ms M said...

Simply wonderful poem, Anon! xxooxxoo

Sonia,
Thank you! It's fun to try again as an adult. I find I understand many aspects of knitting much better now. :)
My mother didn't knit, but she was an excellent seamstress. However, sewing is not for me.

Petrea Burchard said...

Nice one, Anon.

I love those wristers, Ms M. Is there an Etsy shop in your future?

Ms M said...

Thanks, Petrea. The wristers were fun to make, and there are a lot of neat patterns for them. But I think Etsy may be a while coming. I'm still a "beginner" :-)

Shell Sherree said...

Knitting seems such a peaceful thing to do, Ms M, not to mention cosy in winter. It's lovely that you're enjoying a renaissance with it. :) Does Macie enjoy playing with the wool while you're doing it? Hours of family fun!

Anonymous said...

I'm with Petrea -- the wristers are simply elegant.

Ms M said...

Hi Shell, I've found knitting to be peaceful, especially after a hectic workday. It's fun to get back into it again. Macie has tried to play with the yarn a couple of time when I'm pulling it to continue knitting. However, we must limit it to a minute of fun for the sake of the yarn :-)

Thanks, Karin; The wristers did turn out well. I've seen a pattern for 1920s style turban hat, and am wondering how the they would go together....

sonia a. mascaro said...

My mother was a good seamstress too, but when older she preferred to do weaving.

Have a happy Sunday!