Knit together

A woman I work with is teaching a few of us how to knit. Every other Thursday at lunchtime we convene on the two sofas next to the archived reference binders, a couple of novices and two or three longtime knitters who join us for the company. There's something to this, the knitting circle. A different kind of interaction happens. Things are shared that aren't over the office cubicle walls; people who normally have little or no daily interaction feel like neighbors. For a complete novice, it's like having aunties or cousins passing on the tradition.

My mother must have taught me how to knit when I was young, because the motions feel familiar and I vaguely recall starting something that never materialized into more than a maroon swatch. I asked her about it a couple of months ago on the phone and she told me she used to knit "all the time," though I wasn't sure whether to believe her. I don't recall her knitting, but she may have when I was very young or before I was born. I know that she used to sew some of our clothes when I was young. Her mother, my grandmother, knitted us a new pair of mittens every year for Christmas, in sturdy thick yarn that was toasty warm. My grandmother also tatted doilies. I had a much beloved bed throw when I was a child that I believe one of my mother's aunts tatted.

In college, I crocheted for my brother an entire bed-length afghan, in a crescent pattern, which was the only pattern I ever learned to crochet. I started another afghan once but never finished it. I used the yarn from that abandoned crochet project to begin practicing knitting, but found the yarn too loosely wound and difficult to work with. So on my last excursion up to the NH seacoast, I sought out The Yarn Basket and with the help of a lovely "auntie" in the store I picked out this merino wool yarn in variegated colors to knit a basic scarf with. It's silky soft and a dream to work with, spinning out new surprise colors with each uneven, imperfect row.

Today, the weather was finally nippy after an exceptionally warm fall to date. I had to wear knitted gloves when I went out for a walk when I got home. It's knit weather. I've brought a chair in from the porch and set it up by the window and the bookcase along with a lamp for reading and a fleece throw. It's time to get to work on that scarf...

Comments

[maria]

Oh, I want to knit, too -- I learned ages ago, and now with some time on my hands and with prices being what they are for simple knitted items (like this cape-like thing I had my eye on), I probably should pick up the needles again, but it would help to have a group like you have, for a boost.

[marja-leena]

This sounds so wonderful, bringing back memories of my mother and aunts. I never did learn to knot, being a sewer instead. Knitting has really had a revival. One of my daughters has taken it up, even belonging to a group of knitters. The lovely yarns, like you show, are so very tempting. Perfect winter evening activity, enjoy yourself!

[Tall Girl]

Sounds so cosy and comforting

[beth]

Leslee, I wish we could sit together in the evening and knit and talk! It's a female memory for me of things being right with the world - my grandmother, mother and aunts working on projects, talking (though not about Milocz!!), relaxed. My knitting now is usually solitary, which is meditative and OK, but I miss the "knitting circle."

[Lisa]

Yay! You're learning (or re-learning) how to knit! I find knitting very restful and calming.

Scarfs are a good 1st project, as are washcloths, placemats, and slipcovers for throw pillows!

[leslee]

Maria: I bet there are people around you who knit. It seems to be very popular these days!

Marja-Leena: Yes, the yarns are wonderful. I got a few new rows in last night and it's going to be very pretty, which encourages me to keep going. I envy your sewing - I've never had the patience.

Tall Girl: Yes, it's a nice cozy cold-weather activity.

Beth: It would be great if we were all closer geographically! It's one thing that can't be reproduced online. Sigh.

Lisa: Ooh, slipcovers... Well, have to get through this scarf first. Great ideas.

[Lucy]

that is such delicious wool! Multicoloured stuff like that is great for producing variety and interest without haveing to do anything too complicated!
There seems quite alot of knitting on blogs at the moment.

[leslee]

I was coveting some more expensive (as well as some beautiful but harder to work with stuff) but the yarn I bought is lovely. Yes, interesting results without the complication. The knit blogging must mean fall in the Northern hemisphere.

[rr]

Oh such beautiful yarn! Rasberries and wine. I too wish I could join the circle.

[leslee]

RR: I've been admiring your handiwork as well - it's one of the things that inspired me to take it up. What fun we'd have knitting and sipping wine, no? Sigh. We need a 100 Days blog for knitting.