Knitting

After one of the best Thanksgivings we’ve had in a long time, the day after was upon us. Dishes done (well almost) and the kids off and Steve gone to Tahoe with his mom, my sister, Dienna, and I got up to drink in the day. So many options, such possibilities! So many places we could go. So many stores open, so many people we could visit. It was a beautiful day, we could go for a walk. We could go for a bike ride. We could….Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. Here’s what we did…

We got up about 8:00, not bad. Had our coffee and a bite or two. Watched a little of the morning news. Then, we each picked up our knitting and began to create wonderful things! We never got out of our pajamas or combed out hair or even washed out faces. We were barefoot and comfortable in front of the TV all day. My sister at one point realized she had eaten 3 meals and it was only 1:00 in the afternoon. Oh, those leftovers.

Now as I was knitting for the 7th hour in the day and on my 3rd scarf, I began to examine this knitting thing. What is it about knitting that is so fascinating? My sister is a journeyman when it comes to knitting. She follows complicated pattern, and uses interesting yarns. I, on the other hand, am an apprentice, knowing only how to knit and pearl. That’s it. On my first scarf, half way through I realized I hadn’t a clue how to take my scarf off of the needles. I had to suck up my overly creative self and take my almost completed project into the knit shop and ask for help. I hate when I have to do that! But it was worth it. I guess…

Anyway, to have to describe knitting to someone who doesn’t know a thing about it is odd, at best. It sounds monotonous. At best. In my mind as I knit, I say the following phrase; in, over, tuck, push. In, over, tuck, push. In, over, tuck, push. In, over, tuck, push. In, over, tuck, push. In, over, tuck, push. In, over, tuck, push. In, over, tuck, push. In, over, tuck, push. Over and over and over and over and over and over and over again! How boring does that sound?! And yet, it is addicting. In, over, tuck, push! In, over, tuck, push.! In, over, tuck, push! Fascinating! For those knitters out there, you know exactly what I mean! Don’t you?! Right now, those of you who haven’t knit in years are trying to remember where your needles are. You’re getting out the old pattern magazines, realizing that they are out of style and you MUST get some new ones. You’re wondering where the neatest yarn shop is. Don’t worry; you’ll always remember how to knit. In, over, tuck, push! In, over, tuck, push! In, over, tuck, push!

That’s what my sister and I did all day long, the day after Thanksgiving. And loved every minute of it. She finished a scarf with complicated stitches and measured every 5 minutes hoping it was finally long enough! ‘Bout 2:30 it was long enough. Then she got out the sweater she’s been working on for 3 years. Don’t think I’ll ever be up to that complicated pattern! I’m just sticking to my scarves today! Maybe tomorrow I’ll try something else. Like a potholder or something.

My scarves have been a hit. I sold somewhere around 40 of them and gave the rest as gifts. Kept some and tucked the not so great ones in the drawer. I’ll figure something to do with them someday. Pot holders, possibly?


I’m working on a sweater. My first ‘real’ project. I don’t know how to follow a pattern, but I think I can figure it out. It’s pink. And soft. ¾ sleeves. Off the shoulder. It should be done around July. I’ll wear it anyway.

On a recent trip to Boise, my daughter-in-law asked me to teach her to knit. Oh! It’s easy! Just In, over, tuck, push! In, over, tuck, push! In, over, tuck, push! In, over, tuck, push! In, over,……..

Fascinating!