Just Call Me Purl
I can't stop knitting. I seriously cannot stop.
A few months ago, I decided that I wanted to teach my six-year-old son and seven-year-old daughter how to knit. Armed with some fat wooden needles and a skein of squeaky acrylic yarn, I consulted the awesome Kids Knitting
A short time later, both kids had survived my fumbling casting-on instructions, and were knitting their first row of stitches. My son is a natural - he moved the needles and yarn with a spare economy of motion, and his stitches were even and regular. My daughter tackled the knit stitch with more flair, involving twiddling fingers. But they both completed a few rows.
"This is boring."
"Let's go play dinosaurs."
Well. Okay, then. I picked up my son's needles and thought, oh, I'll get him going, and it will be more fun to work on a project when he sees that is has some progress showing.
Two hours later, I was holding a scarf. Oops.
Since then, my fingers have been itching for it. I've made hats. Not that anyone wants to wear stupid beanies made out of squeaky acrylic. I've made 700 "fun fur" scarves. I've made a handbag for my daughter. And now I'm starting a pair of socks.
My daughter has occasionally picked her needles back up, and my son has done a few rows, but I think they are afraid of the mania in my eyes as I knit. They see what can happen, and they don't want to go down that road.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions, yes?
Comments
You should join your local "Project Linus" group and donate your knitting to them
Posted by: Cathy | January 7, 2007 8:05 AM
Next you'll be starting a knitblog. And then--well, perhaps you should start putting some money away for a spinning wheel. I have seen how these things go. ;)
But seriously: if you haven't checked out knitblogs, go visit Yarn Harlot. And Mason-Dixon Knitting. And, oh yes, Knitty.com has fun patterns!
Posted by: Katy | January 7, 2007 8:28 AM
Any chance you'll post some photos of these manic creations? And does this mean when my kids are a little older I'll be able to knit without someone running off with my yarn and/or needles AS I KNIT?
Shocking.
Posted by: Elaine | January 7, 2007 8:40 AM
Actually, I read this and nearly started shrieking EUREKA! Given your obsessive personality (I say that with love, you understand), something like knitting is probably an ideal hobby for you. Did I ever tell you that I started crocheting while on my first diet? Because YOU CANNOT EAT AND CROCHET (or knit) AT THE SAME TIME.
Also, you must go read http://www.crazyauntpurl.com. I love her and I don't even knit. ;)
Posted by: Mir | January 7, 2007 10:38 AM
welcome to the club, we are converting the world to our evil adictive ways one knitter at a time.
Posted by: Justine | January 7, 2007 3:05 PM
Hi! I've been reading your blog for a bit and decided to delurk for a moment to get all excited about knitting! My mom taught me to knit when I was about eight, and I credit it with giving me an attention span. Good luck with the socks! I got a knitting book for Christmas, called New Knits on the Block: a Guide to Knitting What Kids Really Want, by Vickie Howell, which has some really fun and easy projects. If you ever run across it, you should check it out. There's a pattern for a knitted unicorn dress-up-set, for crying out loud! How cool is that?
Posted by: Johanna Cagan | January 8, 2007 12:55 AM
I'm jealous! I wish you lived next to me - I'd invite you over for coffee and have you teach me. I can crochet - but only the basic simple stitches that produce basic afghans. ;)
I have the Knitting and Crocheting for Dummies book but I still cannot do it since I really learn best by picking things up and doing them... not by reading. I need to watch someone!!!!!
Enjoy your knitting. Think of me and all the poor stupid people in the world that can't knit. ;)
Posted by: meritt | January 8, 2007 5:37 AM
Oh, I am jealous. I have always wanted to learn how to knit. Unfotunately, I a coordination impaired. It's sad. I'm thinking of sponsoring a walk-a-thon or something.
Wanna knit the official hats? ;)
Posted by: jenn2 | January 8, 2007 7:54 AM
You're making me itching to knit too. My Mom taught me to knit, and I managed to make 2 sweaters and some blankets to donate but that was it. I should find the time to do it more. Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Waya | January 8, 2007 9:14 AM
DUDE! I just learned how to knit! I am almost done with my first bear for the mother bear project for kids in Africa.
Julie taught me how.
Its fun.
Posted by: Meghan | January 8, 2007 3:19 PM
Knitting is great when you're in the mood. I love to knit and crochet, especially after the Christmas holidays. I guess it's a no-pressure activity in January.
Enjoy.
Posted by: cassie-b | January 9, 2007 5:41 AM
I took knitting classes instead of childbirth classes- that was 11 years ago, oh my! I want to knit again...need to find the time, thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Tricia | January 9, 2007 9:48 AM
Is knitting as addictive as scrapbooking? If so I need to stay as a far away as possible.
Posted by: Jess | January 9, 2007 1:04 PM
Yeah, another knitting convert! I taught myself to knit from a book about 3 years ago, and haven't looked back. I tried to teach Princess to knit, but she got frustrated very quickly (she's doing well with the knitting loom, though) and Hoss has said he wants to learn, but gets distracted too quickly. So, I'm the solo knitter in the house.
Posted by: MamaKaren | January 16, 2007 8:11 AM