So, I've been knitting since a friend taught me how... well, she demonstrated the basic knit stitch and I was expected to learn by example (it was a very quiet lesson). Learning to knit reminds me of the Jay O'Callahan story about the WWII gals who took up the work in the herring shed... "Thumb in the gill, open the mouth, stick it on the rod in the herring shed..." because knitting is very similar. The needle goes into the opening, like an open mouth, you wrap the yarn around the needle, and keep it on the rod/needle as you move on to the next stitch... And all the stitches hang there like fishes on the rod. This manipulation of one really long string creates function art... scarves, hats, socks, sweaters, and, in this day and age, the world of Debbie Stoller brings us patterns for cell phone pockets, tea pot cozies, and even bikini tops. It's actually from Debbie Stoller's STITCH N' BITCH book that I learned to purl, cable, Yarn Over, etc...
(from www. angusrobertson.com.au)But the ladies who helped me when no book could explain what was going on in some goofy diagram are right here in Williamsburg. This shop is so very special... you can just walk in with your project and ask for help. I've learned better stitching skills as well as how to crochet a border or complete an awkward pattern with these women. I feel so odd... I don't acutally know anyone's name, but, like my grandmother once was, I know they are there, down the street, and willing to lend a hand...
I sort of look at people who knit the same way as I look at people who smoke. Smokers seem to know one another and have this mutual respect for one another... and in any country. Around here, you see people brazen enough to "bum a smoke" from a total stranger... I very rarely see a smoker refuse to share his/her cigarettes (I'm sure it has happened, but I've never seen it). Even in France, I saw a woman call over to a stranger... it was as though she hand-picked him from the others walking on the road... and she asked for a light, which he readily, as if he knew her pain, crossed the road and lit her cigarette. Just like that, I've seen knitters of all ages, sizes, and levels of enthusiasm seem to simply understand one another.
I came in once with a different baby blanket than the one on which I'm currently working... I was just struggling with binding off this mammoth and needed a place to sit where I would be left quietly to my task. Two other women were in there discussing life, frustrating relatives, and their harder projects. It was a good time eavesdropping... there was nothing they said to which I could not relate, and though we had not really talked when I was there, they smiled a knowing smile at me as I gathered my many knitting tools, stuffed them in my bag, and walked out.
My current project is a stubborn thing... I like having my own special thing with people... so I am determined to make a blanket for all of Anya's children. Lilia's was knit from the colors Anya had picked for her (dark pinks, purples, etc). I tried not making it... "cutesy". Same with the one for Jude which is white and then on the other side multi-colored with shades of blue, green, and gold. All I need to do now is the border... so, of course, I've been slacking off lately. I hate finishing projects because I always let them go. The joy of giving is a plus, don't get me wrong, but I rarely keep any of my work for myself and then I don't always see much of what I've worked on for someone else after the fact.
Which is a shame, because I put so much into the knitting. I think specific thoughts for the person, dream up good dreams, create settings which remind me of the person... I mentally infuse good things into my work.
The constant motion of weaving the thread in and out of itself is also just so cathartic... it's so calming, comforting, and an awesome lesson... it takes time to knit something, but when it's finished, you have some functional art at your fingertips that you can wear or use to warm a loved one. So, at least I get the cheap therapy out of the activity...
I spent some ridiculous time last holiday season hurriedly knitting things for some people. I don't want to do that this year. I missed much of the fun of lounging, of sipping the cocoa... I'm trying to plan things out right now so that I can enjoy the holidays this year. I try to think of that as I reluctantly complete this current baby blanket so that I might convine myself to move on to a holiday project (I have at least 4 ideas for the holidays).
I love the sound of ticking needles... the excuse to watch a silly movie... the reward at the end of a piece of work... Thinking that someone won't have to be cold once I give them this project...
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