I haven’t posted much lately because I’ve taken up a new hobby. Did I mention that I am learning to knit? I learned a couple of stitches (knit and purl) and also yarn over and knit two together, casting on, of course, and binding off.
Instead of learning more, I’ve spent the past week knitting dish cloths. The same pattern, with crooked edges, which I found a fix for today online. This is a sample of the second or third one I did (before addressing the uneven edges):
So far I’ve completed SIX of these puppies, using cotton yarn. The sixth one I finished this evening, and it turned out so much better, but I didn’t take a picture because I had already put the dishcloth in the closet with the others.
The nice thing about knitting is that I can be in the same room with the TV going and my husband and/or daughter watching TV, and I can be with them without being glued to the tube.
The bad thing is it is seriously cutting into my reading time, and my fingertips are a little sore.
I received the knitting needles and four skeins of cotton yarn from a dear friend, along with a pattern for the dish cloths. I had to learn to knit first, which I did by watching videos on YouTube.
I was so frustrated trying to learn, but now that I can do some basics, it is such a zen sort of activity. I feel good knowing that I can make some things to stockpile for gifts throughout the year so there isn’t such a mad scramble next Christmas.
Sitting on the sofa in the very early morning with my coffee on a table nearby, knitting in silence while the cats sleep on the floor beside me…it’s wonderful. Knitting in my easy chair while my daughter watches cartoons and pauses the TV to tell me stories and jokes is also a wonderful thing. Hearing her say to me “Mommy, you’re doing a good job!” is priceless.
I just bought little knitting needles so I can teach Mia (of course, like you said, I need to learn first, but …) — pretty exciting stuff!
My SIL made some cool fingerless mittens for all of us – basically a tube with a thumb hole – out of chunky yarn. They’re cool.
Did I mention that they are cool? Yeah, I’m not awake yet.
you can ‘listen’ to books, while you knit …
practice makes perfect! :)
Last winter I learned how to crochet. I found it to be very relaxing and almost addictive. I started with discloths and have a big tub of them in my gift closet. Michaels has cotton yarn on sale this week–I feel a shopping (inspiration) trip in the works!
I just started crocheting again after years of not doing it. I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed it. Never a big fan of television, now I keep my husband company while he watches it and relax with something I like to do. Scarfs seem to be fashionable again. I made one for my daughter for Christmas (all single crochet, so simple) and she absolutely loved it. It made me feel so good (blushing).
This makes me want to learn either knitting or crocheting. The last “crafty” thing I did that came close was a latch hook thing when I was a child. Which is easier – knitting or crocheting?
I’ve made a lot of those. In truth, actual wool is easier to knit than the cotton.
Part of the wavy problem is the way you cast on; glad to hear you have a fix. You can also backstitch the first row after casting on and this gives a very tight edge for a sweater wrist, for instance.
Sorry to hear you have the January blahs. The grey slush bit is the insult added to the injury of no light, isn’t it. We keep getting ice storms up here in Eastern Ontario. Driving in one is No. Fun. At. All. Never mind – spring is coming and my forced paperwhites are going to bloom next week.