Why I Love Knitting
Nothing else in my life gives me the consistent sense of accomplishment as knitting.
Pride of Accomplishment
It’s an amazing thing to be able to create fabric. Persistently adding stitch after stitch to a swatch and watching it grow into something can be wondrous. It’s even more amazing when you can shape that fabric into a garment…to create a perfect neck opening, or to turn a perfect heel, or to execute a spectacular cable pattern. Then add colors to this process, and you have the perfect craft.
When it all comes together in exactly the right way, and you have combined all the components of a perfect knitted garment…the drape and hand of the fabric is just right, the fit, structure and shaping of the garment is exactly how you’d hoped, and the colors come together in a composition that is harmonious and beautiful.
How much better can it be than to look at such a garment, and say, “I made it.”
I honestly believe this sense of pride in doing something worthwhile, is one of the major pieces missing from most folks’ lives in society today. I believe that folks’ drive to make money and have all the things that they think will make them happy, allow them to forget to take the time to appreciate the value that they can bring by doing a job they can take pride in.
I don’t mean to get all Ayn Rand on your or anything, but for me, knitting gives me the opportunity to appreciate all that I’ve been able to do.
Current Knitting (and Crocheting)
I finished the first pair of Kaffe/Regia socks over the weekend, and I am very pleased with them.
Can you picture how spectacular it will be when my the gap between the bottom of my chinos leg and my shoe reveals a small portion of these amazing colors? I’ve already started the first sock in the other colorway, and I think I am going to be equally pleased with those socks as well.
I completed another few stars on the crochet tablecloth.
I was going to continue added to the row of two stars until it was as wide as I was going to make it, but the length started getting a little unruly. I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like adding sections to this tablecloth as it gets to be over halfway completed and more.
Readers’ Comments/Questions
k writes, “And Joe, your sock are not identical. I so admire you. I cannot do that.”
There are some patterned sock yarns that require the socks to be identical. I didn’t feel as though this was one of them. Although, I really like how the toe of the next sock looks, so I may decide to make the second pair identical.
Thank you for posting your sock picture! I’ve been wondering what Kaffe yarn would look like knit up. Why they’re handsome enough that you should consider capri pants! 🙂
Handknit Kaffe socks on a pair of sexy gams. Talk about your yarn porn!
I completely agree with you about the Pride of Accomplishment. One of my opinions about the Decline and Fall of American Society is based on the relative lack of people (it used to be primarily young men) working under the hood of a car in a private driveway. Since automobile engines became computerized, most people don’t even attempt to change the oil. This situation has removed an important opportunity for Pride of Accomplishment. Similarly, our society had begun to devalue most forms of needlework. Fortunately, that seems to have changed somewhat post-9/11.
I second dr. mel!
“he’s got legs, he knows how to use them!”
the socks are cute too!
(wink wink nudge nudge)
What lovely socks, and what lovely gams! The socks will sure to be a hit peaking out from under those chinos!
whew! look at those legs…
Indeed a fine pair of legs!
As for unruly tablecloths, a suggestion from hand-stitching king-size quilts – roll up and pin what you’re not working on. You’ll still end up with a slightly unwieldy sausage, but an improvement on tying your legs in knots in the stray fabric 🙂
Your socks are fabulous, your legs are better! This is a wonderful way to start the morning, coffee, socks and your legs.
I crocheted a monster blanket for a double bed and it was a PITA to finish, so I worked the pieces into 4 squares that I could manage, then I connected the 4. It was much easier that way.
And Joe? Bravo! You said it so eloquently. Knitting brings me such a feeling of pride and even if it isn’t perfect (still working on that) I know *I* did it. The sense of independence, pride and accomplishment can not be replaced. People don’t stop to take the time, they would much rather run to the store and show off their purchase instead of investing themselves into anything. Shallow, imo.
The accomplishments of craft (not just knitting, but nearly anything that creates a finished product) is something I discuss on a fairly regular basis with my husband. He is a fairly normal geek, who spends a lot of time playing video games. He loves the games, but bemoans the fact that he doesn’t have anything to show for the time he has put into it.
People want to be able to claim ownership. I did that, or I made that are very satisfying things to say.
Very nice socks, Joe. The legs are bad either! 🙂
Hi Joe, Delurking long enough to suggest a way to contain your tablecloth: get a ladies knee-high nylon stocking. I rolled my tablecloth (something I will never make again) into a sausage shape, either from side to side or up from where I started, and shoved it into the stocking. Kneehighs will hold anything…they even make great yarn bras. P.S. I now have to get some of the Fassett colorways-thanks to you.
I’ll bite, Tracey …
“Similarly, our society had begun to devalue most forms of needlework. Fortunately, that seems to have changed somewhat post-9/11.
So what has 9/11 to do with needlework, or vice versa?
Yours in curiousity,