I am dying to learn how to knit.
I've seen so many gorgeous things on the Internet lately, mostly made by other moms and posted on Etsy (the eBay of home crafts). I want to make Gabi lovely winter hats and finger puppets. And maybe a sweater or two. And I could make blankets for new babies! And purses!
I really don't know what's become of me. My friends from college would die laughing if they knew I wanted to knit. It's just so not me. I've always appreciated hand made things, but the idea of me doing something myself was laughable. I didn't have the talent, the patience or even a smidgen of desire. I'm still at the stick figure stage of creative development.
But now that I'm 90% domesticated, I have an overwhelming need to learn some sort of craft before I get too old. My options are fairly limited as I work from the left side of my brain. Logical and analytical do not pretty pictures make. I need something that provides direction.
After salivating over a beautiful, raspberry colored children's hat, the knitting obsession started to well up inside me. I could do this! The most creative I'd have to get with knitting is what color yarn to use! The rest would be guided by little directions on what type of loop to use, and for how long. An orderly hobby. Perfect.
Only, I don't have anyone to teach me. I tried to teach myself, and it was a disaster. The directions read like a foreign language, and by the end of my "lesson", the yarn wasn't even salvageable. One of my mom's friends was going to join us for Christmas and give me lessons, but her plans changed. And I don't know anyone locally who knits.
Do I take a class? An online tutorial? Post a note somewhere? Where are all of the people who want to pass their knowledge down? WHERE ARE YOU? Here I am, an eager pupil, with no frickin idea how to find a teacher for one of the oldest art forms around.
Now that I know I want to learn how to knit, I just need to figure out HOW to learn how to knit.
Again, another reason for you to move back to Oregon! I would love to teach you, though I am really just a novice myself. My suggestion is to seek out your local yarn shop since you will need a place to buy yarn (other than Wally world which doesn't carry many,if any natural fibers). The women working there are a wealth of knowledge. I ususally bring in my projects when I have a question or have made a mistake I don't know how to fix. They can walk you thru the directions since like you said they are in a foreign language. Since my knitting guru Kusi has moved to NY, I bought a book called "knit speak" by Andrea Berman Price that explains the different stitches with nice little pictures which are very helpful. Plus the knit shops can give you leads on different classes and knitting circles that meet around town. This is a great place to get together with fellow knitters who are often very helpful and love to instruct people on their passion. A good knit shop should have a place where people come for questions or help like Soft Horizons here in Eugene. They have a big round table and whenever I go in there, at least one person is just sitting there working on a project. I find knitting to be a relaxing hobby while sitting in front of the TV in the evening (although if it is a really good show or movie I create more work for myself undoing my mistakes) and rewarding to present your friends with handmade gifts. Good luck and let me know how it goes, Beth
ReplyDeleteI don't know how to knit, but I do crochet. But I can't crochet anything but a scarf! I cannot figure out those darn books to save my life! It's like hieroglyphics to me! Those books cannot possibly teach anyone how to knit. I wish I lived in San Diego - we could hold up a sign together saying "Need to learn how to knit" on a freeway offramp.
ReplyDeleteHow funny--I'm knitting right now while watching my TiVo'd Masterpiece Austen collection. Obviously my college friends have already given me up for lost.
ReplyDeleteI'm an avid knitter, and have often taught friends to knit. I think that's the best way--find someone with patience who you can run to with questions and knots. It's not hard, it's just not easy from books.
Barring that, I'd suggest finding a boutique-type yarn shop and seeing if they have lessons. Many of these type stores will give free help if you buy your yarn there--so you can go choose some schnummy yarn and get started while sitting in a cosy rocker.
Also, there's a web-site--knittinghelp.com--that has videos. I go to it when a pattern calls for an odd little stitch I've never heard of, though I'm sure they have a decent beginning video as well.
Good luck!
Thank you for all of the suggestions! A neighbor gave me the name of a really great yarn shop that has classes. I'm so excited! I'll keep ya'll posted on my progress.
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