For years it seemed to me that my nan sat in front of the television watching countless episodes of Coronation Street knitting what seemed like never-ending, but progressively larger versions of the same bottle green sweater for her 10 grandchilden who all attended the same local schools.
Typically, as she and my other grandma both kept us well provided with woollen garments, I never felt the need to learn. Not saying she didn’t try but I wasn’t exactly a willing pupil!
My New Year’s resolution in 2011 was finding pastimes to keep me occupied and away from the television. Well, I was still in the same room as the TV, but certainly couldn’t concentrate on viewing whilst getting to grips with a new interest. A variety of short-burst ‘enthusiasms’ ensued and then a colleague suggested I try my hand at knitting.
I thought I would start with a scarf – mistakes occurred but the end result was snaffled by my niece so I consoled myself that it obviously wasn’t too shabby an effort. Confidence at high levels I then attempted a sweater… thank goodness for literature that explains how to correct mistakes. My new hobby appears to be UNRAVELLING on a major scale. The hours of fun I have had!!
Fortunately I have located both library books and magazines devoted to knitting on the subject to assist me through this steep learning curve. I have also discovered some interesting links in the library’s handicrafts page.
What New Year’s resolutions do you propose making in 2012?
29 December 2011 at 10:59 am
My mother taught me to knit–somewhere between the ages of 7 and 9–and my first attempts (once I learned how not to drop stitches and not to gain extra ones) were outfits for my dolls. Gradually I progressed to making my own jerseys, cardigans, twin sets, etc. I don’t think there was any type of knitting I didn’t tackle and two of my three sisters and I quickly became expert knitters. I then taught myself to crochet (with the help of a book) and became very good at that, even making myself a tablecloth, which I still have. Eventually I turned to tatting, but I’m afraid it beat me because you can’t really make mistakes with tatting; it’s so hard to unpick.
Good luck with your knitting, Karen. Knitted things are all back in fashion!
As for new year resolutions, I still think the best one is not to make resolutions. I’ve never managed to keep any other new year resolution; at least I succeed with this one!
29 December 2011 at 11:51 am
The ‘not to make resolutions’ was successfully achieved in 2010 – good luck!
29 December 2011 at 1:59 pm
My Mum taught me to knit when I was in grade 1. Ted eventually got a scarf. In the 80′s knitting became trendy and Ted didn’t score any more clothing, but I managed to make several jumpers. My knitting went into a bit of a decline until the earthquakes. Then out they came and I started knitting desck-top traffic comes and small toys. My advise is to knit something small but interesting when you first take up knitting. Toys are good. Second. Never,ever make a New Years Resolution.