Wednesday, February 13, 2013

I'm Not As Stupid & Incompetent as I Thought!

Hooray!  My fellow knitters on the Ravely knitting site have instructed me that yes, my shawl does have to be blocked which will make it wearable for someone other than a Munchkin or a mouse (Hi mouse!) so I have ordered myself a blocking board & will give that a try.

I learned to knit in the late 90s.  I found out that there was a knitting group in the next town that got together at someone's home once a month.  I was thinking it was once a week but no, it was once a month. Anyway, I called the lady who hostessed this group & she met with me one day to show me how to knit.  She started me out on a dishcloth.  I can remember sitting & working on that dishcloth, tears rolling down my face, sobbing all the while, until I got it right.  Of course I didn't want to learn to knit so I could make dishcloths!  I wanted to make sweaters & socks!  I then got some yarn & a pattern & taught myself to make socks.  I had one sock done & was working on the second when I attended my first meeting with the group & saw the hostess who was speechless when she saw me working on my second sock.  Apparently knitting socks is supposed to be difficult.  Well, no one told me so I just jumped right into it!  I made myself at least a dozen pair of hand knit socks which I would wear & save to hand wash all at one time.  One day I was sorting the laundry & apparently not paying attention to what I was doing because the socks ended up in the washing machine along with one of the piles of laundry, then in the dryer, & I ended up with a whole bunch of baby booties.  This kind of bummed me out & I put down my needles & never knitted again until the interest was rekindled last summer at which time I started working on a shawl, had some problems with it & walked away.

Since my cross stitch PTSD continues to prevent me from stitching, last night I decided to start knitting a pair of socks.  I've chosen to start off with a really simple, basic pair of socks to get myself back in the sock knitting saddle again, & so far, so good.

I'm sure I'll be stitching again ... I've actually purchased 3 new charts in the past couple days ... but I apparently need this break, which is fine.  I plan to be around for another 59 years so I should have plenty of time to get everything done   : )  

13 comments:

Vickie said...

ooOoo! I am jealous of your new, cool socks. =)
I am glad the shawl is going to work out!

butterfly said...

Looks like you are into your knitting, all looks good I need to get back in to it , need to get some baby tops done , but you know me after years of knitting I now love my stitching, hugs.

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Still stitchin'!!!
Always nice to switch it up.
Looks great! Enjoy!
Prim Blessings
Robin

jennifer768 said...

Hey friend,sorry that I have not gotten back with you.I have had computer problems and now have the flu.Love that yarn you are using for the socks.So cool that you are so talented in so many crafts.Hugs,Jen

Pam in IL said...

I never could get the hang of knitting. Your sock looks great!

Stress Less said...

Your socks look wonderful! Wish I knew how to knit. I hope you'll show us your new cross stitch stash when you get it. And breaks are good....

Mouse said...

ooooo re the sock knitting I am in awe .... good luck with the blocking of the shawl too :)love mouse xxxxx

Judy said...

Things are looking up! The yarn for the socks is really nice... like to colors. Hope all goes well with the shawl.

Judy heartland stitcher

Peggy Lee said...

I only know how to knit those dishcloths and that was out of necessity because I couldn't make myself pay the high prices I was seeing at that time.
I'm so glad the shawl is going to work out. When you are finished you'll need to model it for us.
Happy Valentine's Day (and happy anniversary too)

Janet P said...

Great knitting! June told me you want to know the name of the wool I used for the wrist warmers it is Crofter DK made by Sirdar, it's a fair isle effect wool. Hope that is of help. x

Siobhán said...

I am glad to hear that you're coming around from your XS PTSD! I think it's fine to take a break now and then. It's supposed to be fun, and when it isn't, move on to something that is. The Good Lord knows that there are enough stressful things in life, you don't need your fun things to cause stress, too! I think your knitting is fantastic! I learned in the 5th grade but never kept up with it, so I always have to relearn it when I decide to do it again. I can only manage very wonky scarves. My daughter is learning, though, and has made her first cowl and plans to do a lot more.

Enjoy your weekend!

Kaisievic said...

Please don!t stop cross stitching. Your stitching is beautiful, I treasure the piece you sent me for Christmas. Love to you, Kaye.

Miss LindaLee said...

The yarn you're using for these socks looks like knitting worsted! Is it? I would love to know where you found the pattern for the socks. I love the colors. Could you clue me in? Thanks.
LindaLee at
CrossN' My Stitches