Knitting is More Than the Knit Stitch

While visiting with a customer the other day, I heard a story about how quickly her grandchild learned to knit.  The little 6-year-old conquered the knit stitch, sat comfortably showing her grandpa how to knit, and exclaimed that knitting was easy!

I love these stories ....but I also cringe at these stories.
 
On one hand, we want to promote the "easy factor" in order to open the door for new knitters.

On the other hand, I tire of the disdain one hears from non-knitters who think that what we do is easy or talentless.  Ageism and anti-feminism ooze from comments such as ``my grandmother knits`` or `that`s woman`s work.``

Let`s remember that learning the knit stitch is entirely different from learning to knit.  To me, working the knit stitch is like learning how to print the letter "a".  When you can purl, you've learned the letter "b".  When you have a few ``alphabet letters`` under your belt, then you can read easy picture books.

The real fun begins when you take those two simple letters and learn an entire alphabet of variations - decreases, increases, cables, yarn overs, twisted stitches, colourwork patterns, short rows, seams, buttonholes, braids ...and variations on all of these, and more.  You learn to read patterns, decipher charts, and choose tools and fibres wisely for each project.  You learn about fit and design and color. 

You realize that the possible combinations of yarn and techniques are infinite.  As your understanding develops and your arsenal of techniques grows, shelves and shelves of great stories can be written with yarn and needles.

If there are skills that you have yet to discover, classes can open your eyes to ``novel`` ideas.  They can give you a chance to try a new technique under a watchful eye, help solve a mystery that has plagued you, or come up with a happy ending for the ``story`` on your needles. 

To me, knitting is much more than the knit stitch.  Knitting is a joy ...and a never ending journey of discovery.

There's Always More to Learn

Yesterday, I taught a seaming class to a group of 7 eager knitters.  Most of them were there because they had had bad finishing experiences in the past and really wanted to know how to solve their problems.  They were definitely of the opinion that, "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well."

As I tried to squeeze as much as possible into two short hours, I heard comments about how much there was to learn about the topic and how many different ways there are to get the job done.  Since I am in the midst of putting together several more hours of finishing classes, this was good to hear. 

And, unfortunately, it is the opposite of what the general public thinks about knitting.  The public seems to think that if you can knit, purl, cast on and off, you know everything there is to know about knitting.  This is actually pretty sad, because they really don't have a clue about what they are missing. 

Maybe I'm just a slow learner, but I feel like there is no end to what I can learn about knitting.  There are so many different techniques, yarns, colours, stitch patterns and projects around that can then be recombined into new ideas ...that it just boggles my mind.  And that's just one of many things I love about this great art!

How do you eat an elephant?

Hmmmmm ...maybe it's because there's a monumental elephant statue across from the shop that I've been using the phrase, "One bite at a time," a lot lately.

It started with the goal of clearing up piles of paper.  You know the kind ...knitting patterns.  I've been sticking them into page protectors and sorting them into binders for three weeks now ...and I've made sure to do a bit every day.  And I can see progress.

And then there's the 60-80 hour lace shawl project that I'd sure like completed by late August; and the samples for an upcoming class; and ...and ...and....  I just keep reminding myself, "One bite at a time."

While talking with a customer the other day, she complained that she didn't have time to knit because of her gardening.  She was just too tired at the end of the day to knit for her usual few hours.  I suggested my one bite at a time approach. When sitting to take a break, she might find that ten minutes of knitting can really add up.  And, anyway ...it is physically better for us to take breaks while knitting. 

She smiled and I could see the excitement in her eyes.  After all, is there anything better than playing hooky from chores, with your feet up, a favourite beverage at your side, and knitting in your lap?

Knit-in-Public Day

What fun!  At World-Wide Knit-in-Public Day, we spent so much time with activities that there was barely time to knit!  The weather co-operated and many knitters spent much of the day in the great outdoors.

6.5 hours of straight knitting would be a bit hard on the hands, so we tried to break up all of that hard work with in-store scavenger hunts, door prizes, a beer and cheese tasting, all kinds of nutritious food (well, it did seem to have lots of calories, at least), hourly sales, a how-to session on continental knitting and another on knitting backwards, and the piece de resistance, the yarn bombing at the Jumbo Monument. 

Check out Jumbo's tres chic ankle bracelet - apologies for the photo orientation! 

 ...and the St. Thomas Communities in Bloom sign is now in full bloom!

History ...or Fantasy?

You never know where your mind will go when you glance at Ravelry. This time, it was Tir Chonaill by Kate Davies that caught my eye.  I love beautiful Fair Isle work and found myself daydreaming about a few of Kate's gorgeous designs. 

But the thing that really grabbed me was the name of the design.  A few miles west of St. Thomas lies the village of Tyrconnell with the cemetery of Colonel Thomas Talbot.  Talbot, who was granted much of the land in Southwestern Ontario in the early 1800's, was Irish.  According to Kate, "Tir Chonaill is the name of the last independent Gaelic sovereignty in Ireland: a kingdom which, until the flight of the Earls in 1607, covered most of what later became County Donegal". 

Doesn't it just fit that a man who was handed all of this virgin wilderness in Southwestern Ontario might fancy himself head of his own little Canadian "kingdom" ...and name his village after an historic one?  It seems perfectly plausible to me, considering his reputation as a despot and land baron.  Actually, I have no idea if Talbot even named Tyrconnell ...but it certainly was fun imagining this scenario. 

And maybe my bit of daydreaming was even more fun because of personal history.  Tyrconnell was the stomping grounds of my maternal grandparents in the early 1900's, and one or two generations before them, while Kate's home of Edinburgh was the birthplace of my father and generations before him.  I love connections, degrees of separation and all that ...
...hmmm ....I'd better take another look at that rams and yowes blanket ...and peerie flooers ...and sheep heid ...and dollheid ...and blaithin ...and ....

May is for Einsteins

My Einstein is done ...well, except for adding buttons and weaving in ends :) 
Less than 2 weeks ago, I worked up a swatch, cast on for the lower section of Sally Melville's Einstein Coat, stuffed a ball of Lamb's Pride Bulky in my knitting bag, and went to the movies.  Thick wool and addi turbos made for an easy knit-in-the-dark project.  No split stitches and no ripping back when I got home - woohoo.  I was inspired.  I set a goal of one ball per day for 12 days.  It took 13 days, but I don't feel like a failure.  Instead, I feel like a genius, an Einstein, if you will!!! 

So now I've made a Baby Albert ...

and an Einstein Coat. 

Several people have remarked on having to do "all that garter stitch", but I've honestly loved every minute of it.  What's better than garter stitch to allow you to relax, and yet still focus on other important things in your life?  And bulky yarn works up sooooo quickly - it's practically instant gratification - not too common in the world of knitting! 
Sally Melville's book, The Knit Stitch, is a masterpiece of well-written patterns, wonderful technical photos and instructions, friendly advice and thoughtful insights on life and knitting.  I look forward to having her visit us at Little Red Mitten September 28-30.  She'll be teaching 4 classes and talking to us (on the Friday evening) on "Why Do We Do What We Do".  More information and registration for classes will be available soon.  Hope you can "make it".

Why am I smiling?

I had a serious case of startitis this past week.  Besides the February Baby Sweater, I began a Pi Shawl, a Baby Albert, a Shape It! Scarf ...and I bought a huge pile of yarn for my own Einstein Coat.  Browsing through my Knitter's Almanac is the reason for the Pi Shawl (hey, I'm easily influenced) ... but what's with all those Sally Melville projects?!?!?

You might think that I needed an easy garter stitch project (Baby Albert) to work on while I watched The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, in Swedish, with subtitles.  And you'd be right.  One sleeve to go!
Or you might have been talking with me this week and heard that Sally Melville is coming to Little Red Mitten on Sept. 28, 29 and 30.  And you'd be right, again!  Can you see the big smile on my face?  :)

There"ll be more information in the coming weeks about classes, lectures, knitalongs, displays and prizes.  I hope you'll stay tuned!