Monday, March 15, 2004
Knitting
All my life I have heard and even believed the saying "it is the thought that counts", but I have never truely understood it. A little over three years ago, my mother-in-law taught me the fundementals of knitting. During the Christmas holidays I learned to cast on, knit, and purl. When it was time to go home I was armed with a pair of size 8 needles, some blue worsted weight yarn, and a book on beginning knitting.
I stumbled for quite a while. I started a number of projects, then ripped them out because they were not absolutely perfect. I was not progressing and I put aside my knitting needles in favor of finishing my graduate work.
Shortly after I received my degree, my husband and I moved to a suburb of Washington, DC. Just before Christmas we attended a craft fair. This was not one of the craft fairs of my childhood in the basement of the church or the middle school gym. This was at a fairground and there were hundreds of booths filled with pottery, jewery, and even some knit goods. I looked at the knitted items. They were all beautiful and they all contained the minor glitches that show they are homemade.
I went home, grabbed a pattern for a baby sweater and carefully drew the picture of an animal on it. I knitted the sweater for a neighbor who was adopting a child. The excitement carried me through and it was complete in three days. While it was not perfect it was beautiful to my eye.
I carefully wrapped this gift of love and brought it to the neighbors. She misted up and I misted up.
I am sure that they have received far more expensive presents for their new baby, but as I look at the picture of him in his sweater I realize that few of the presents could have brought both the giver and the receiver as much joy.
I can't wait. There are three babies due this summer.
All my life I have heard and even believed the saying "it is the thought that counts", but I have never truely understood it. A little over three years ago, my mother-in-law taught me the fundementals of knitting. During the Christmas holidays I learned to cast on, knit, and purl. When it was time to go home I was armed with a pair of size 8 needles, some blue worsted weight yarn, and a book on beginning knitting.
I stumbled for quite a while. I started a number of projects, then ripped them out because they were not absolutely perfect. I was not progressing and I put aside my knitting needles in favor of finishing my graduate work.
Shortly after I received my degree, my husband and I moved to a suburb of Washington, DC. Just before Christmas we attended a craft fair. This was not one of the craft fairs of my childhood in the basement of the church or the middle school gym. This was at a fairground and there were hundreds of booths filled with pottery, jewery, and even some knit goods. I looked at the knitted items. They were all beautiful and they all contained the minor glitches that show they are homemade.
I went home, grabbed a pattern for a baby sweater and carefully drew the picture of an animal on it. I knitted the sweater for a neighbor who was adopting a child. The excitement carried me through and it was complete in three days. While it was not perfect it was beautiful to my eye.
I carefully wrapped this gift of love and brought it to the neighbors. She misted up and I misted up.
I am sure that they have received far more expensive presents for their new baby, but as I look at the picture of him in his sweater I realize that few of the presents could have brought both the giver and the receiver as much joy.
I can't wait. There are three babies due this summer.
I have been reading blogs for the past several months. I have learned many things and I am constantly amazed by the way some people share important moments in their lives. I have read about births, deaths, pregnancies, trying to conceive, political rants, and general day to day events.
After all of the reading, I am not sure that I know what style I would like. I am not sure that it is something that you know automatically, it may just be something that develops over time.
Anyway, it will be fun to see!
After all of the reading, I am not sure that I know what style I would like. I am not sure that it is something that you know automatically, it may just be something that develops over time.
Anyway, it will be fun to see!
