"Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit, either." ~ Elizabeth Zimmermann
What I have learned while becoming a knitter is that knitting is not for the light-hearted. It is not for the one who gets easily discouraged and gives up. It requires patience; lots and lots of patience. It stirs up a desire in oneself to work until the beginning expectation is reached. An excitement over the finished result. It is a painstaking process and makes {me anyway} want to scream and stomp my feet and throw a mini temper tantrum every so often, but when I see the end result, that is a priceless feeling! When I see the look of joy on the face of the recipient when they ask "you made this for me"? That is worth all of it! Knitting is a labor of love and unless you are a knitter {or crocheter, sewer, etc.} you truly do not realize the amount of work and oneself that gets poured into each and every project!
That being said, I had to rip back Caleb's Vest, again! Not the whole way back to the beginning, but back enough rows that I was ready to give up and never knit another thing again! Ok, that might not be necessarily true, but I was pretty discouraged and upset and I threw it in my knitting bag not to be looked at for a few days!
Once I did, however, relax, take a few deep breaths, and decide to give it another go, I made great progress and actually started to really enjoy knitting it again. I have no idea why this simple pattern is giving me so much trouble. Maybe I am still meant to learn something from it all!
While taking a hiatus from the Vest, I managed to cast on a shawl for my Aunt for her birthday next month. It is the Oaklet Shawl that I saw mention of by another yarn alonger. I am loving it and the pattern is so well written. It is coming along a lot nicer and a lot easier than the "simple" Vest I started for Caleb over a month ago! I am thinking of casting on another one for my mother-in-law for mother's day as well!
On the reading front, I finished The Secret Life of a Fool as well as Garden Spells. Both were great books. I am now reading Firefly Lane. This is my first time reading a book by Kristin Hannah and so far I am enjoying it. I have been warned that most of her books are tear jerkers of some sort, so I am prepared with kleenex's nearby me at all times while reading!
What have you been knitting/crocheting/reading these days?
Linking up with Ginny
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. ~ Genesis 50:20
Hi Amy!
ReplyDeleteI wish that I had chosen knitting, but I chose crotchet. (That text you may have got back in January asking knitting or crotchet? That was me. I forgot to add my name as I stood holding both start up sets at Joanne Fabrics! :0)) I understand the frustration though. I am not a patient person and boy has this been pushing me! I recently finished little cupcakes for Gracie's tea parties and have a few things on my list, but I think I'm too scared of the "feet stomping and screaming" again to actually start something!
I just finished "Freefall" by Kristen Heitzmann last night, and will be visiting the "home library" today to choose my next adventure.
Have a great day!
Mindy
I agree, knitting requires patience. I do wish that I could crochet as well, but it hasn't worked out for me yet! And I can't read tear jerkers anymore. After having babies it was all over for me emotionally. I see something slightly sentimental on tv and I am tearing up...insane.
ReplyDeleteI love reading Kristin Hannah. She is a favorite author of mine- I have passed that love on to my teenager. I hope you are able to read them all. Home Front and Wonter Garden are [personal favorites of mine. I taught myself to knit for exactly EZ's words--knitting is a healing balm to my soul. Put Caleb's vest for a time and work on what soothes you. The Shawl sounds wonderful--I will have to check out that pattern!
ReplyDeleteSorry you had to rip back a bit. That is never fun, but it always ends up being a good thing. Love both of your projects you have going on!
ReplyDeleteI've ripped out almost a whole sweater before. Sometimes, it's just a horrible pattern. I've found that it really helps to read the reviews on raverly, and see others examples of the finished project. Once you reach the finished project, it feels really good:)
ReplyDeleteLove the quote!
ReplyDelete...your knits look lovely- beautiful color.
You're right - you need lots of patience for knitting. Sorry about the frogging of the vest, but you'll get it back in no time. I think as a knitter, you need to enjoy the whole process not just the end result. Love the verse in your header!
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful color for a shawl! So sorry about your vest....I ripped one out not that long ago as welll and have yet to pick it back up!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure knitting should be categorized as a form of meditation. It does soothe the soul. Multiple frogging. I empathize. I'm sure you'll get there.
ReplyDeleteTotally with you on the ripping out and trying again....oh my! That sweater I knitted for Sophie brought me to tears a few times, but once it's done it's SO worth it :)
ReplyDeleteI love what you wrote about knitting. So true. So much patience, so much joy, so much anticipation. Well said.
ReplyDeleteGlad you stuck with it! I think all those hand-skills take a lot of patience. I haven't worked on anything lately because we've been so busy outside, but I miss it in the evenings to unwind AND feel productive.
ReplyDeleteGlad you stuck with it! I think all those hand-skills take a lot of patience. I haven't worked on anything lately because we've been so busy outside, but I miss it in the evenings to unwind AND feel productive.
ReplyDeleteGood work Article is awosome i like Satta King by the next afternoon I'm chomping at the bit to get back to it.This is very good blogspot theme, where you can find out the best theme and latest designs Very good . Know what you mean. but You know about the Game which is viral soo fast in India play bazaar
ReplyDeleteGood work Article is awosome i like Satta King by the next afternoon I'm chomping at the bit to get back to it.This is very good blogspot theme, where you can find out the best theme and latest designs Very good . Know what you mean. but You know about the Game which is viral soo fast in India play bazaar
ReplyDelete