I spent the past year on and off practicing. Knit, unravel, knit, unravel. Finally I decided to knit a scarf. Knit 200 stitches. Tie off. Start a new row, knit 200 stitches. Rinse and repeat. I finished a week ago and I must say...that it is arguably the worst scarf I've ever seen. HUGE holes. Some rows look knit. Some look purled. Some look like some other sort of unknown stitch. Mystery stitch.
My knitter friend came over to see it and took pity on me. My "helper" knitter friend. She modeled what a knitter looks like by showing me how she knits. (I'd never seen anyone knit before.) She watched how I was knitting to see what I was doing right and wrong. Then she gently reminded me to push the yarn down here, push it up there, and mostly she encouraged me. She rolled balls of yarn for me. (Nine of them) She sat while I knit 10 rows of stitching to make sure I was starting out well.
Today I have 4 inches of a new scarf started. Arguably the most perfectly wonderful scarf I have ever seen. So happy. So glad I have a friend who took the time to get me on the right track.
21 comments:
Yay for you!! I was going to suggest that you make one of those long skinny scarves. Large needles (11) and cast on only 11 or 12 stitches. They are pretty easy.
aww I'm glad you had someone to come and show you how it's done. I too, have tried and failed terribly. It looks so simple but it is an art form. I love the balls of yarn. :)Bea
ahhh, as i started reading (i am a knitter)i thought you just need the right person to help you and with that enthusiasm, you'll win no matter what. good for you for not giving up. you will only get better with time. and you now have a treasured gift for yourself to be able to pick up those needles at the most unexpected times. i just loved this post of yours!
Hang in there...knitting is not easy for me but my best friend can knit anything and she has been very patient with me. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart
Why didn't you tell me? I can knit! I can purl too, LOL.
In college I actually made an Irish fisherman's sweater for my then BF. I don't do more than an occasional scarf now, but I can help you too!
Eileen
That's great, Teri. Knitting is something I still want to learn how to do someday.
i just started knitting, and i really suck at it too! unfortunately I don't have a friend to show me the era of my ways! You will have to show us the perfect scarf next to the last scarf you did when you get done!
YAY Teri! And another yarnie was born...
I'm hoping to pick up my sticks again this winter. I got really into crocheting about two years ago. Now that I feel pretty good about crocheting, I want to give knitting another shot. I tried starting a big, chunky scarf a couple years back, but it looks horrible. I'm going to unravel, re-ball the yarn, and start over. It will be my second attempt at a first project. It's also GREAT to have a friend to model after!
The fact that you're friend took the time to do that for you shows you what kind of friend she is.... those are the special ones! But I'm sure you know that ;)
Take pride in the fact too that you actually went out and took lessons and made a thought into reality. That's powerful stuff!
By the way, GREAT picture!
Thank you so much for these encouraging comments! I had no idea I knew so many knitters. Here is an exciting update: at the hair salon yesterday someone asked if they could buy one of my scarves. CRAZY wonderful!
Teri is better than she wants to admit. I love the picture of the yarn. Now you need to post pictures of what you have done so far re: the knitting. A video of Roan wouldn't hurt either ;-)
That was my knitting friend Rosie. She's great. And she likes to exaggerate about some things. LOL.
Love the picture of the balls of yarn. I can crochet, but I haven't been able to 'get' knitting. Maybe you can come to Salt Lake and sit with me. :) I want to see your masterpiece!
Pictures!! Pictures!!!
I am not exaggerating about this. I am so proud of you and you have done a fantastic job!!
Oh I admire anyone who can knit, perl, crochet, and sew. Good for you to get in there and try. I'm proud of you for not letting the rough start hold you back. For now, I'm sticking with paper and photography, and flower arranging.
Swing by my blog for a little surprise. http://collagediva.typepad.com/collagediva/2010/12/blog-tour1.html
Pretty yarns. :)Good to see you happy with your wonderful scarf.
Thanks for the encouragement, as I´m planning to learn how to knit next winter.
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Yours is gorgeous. And I love the story of your learning to knit. Can't wait to see that scarf!
funny, i just pulled some wool out that my sister gave me. i forgot how to knit. not very good at it, but i remember how to crochet, but the ends always look bad, but I am finding it very relaxing.
I have not crocheted in 25 years.
My son thought it was intriguing. I will post a pic when I am all finished.
What a wonderful friend. Congratulations on your determination and not giving up. Hooray for your success. My Gram taught me how to knit and I tried to pass it on to my daughter. However, she is left handed and I right handed and just couldn't help her as I couldn't figure out how to show her left handed. She has since found a teacher who is left handed and hooray she's had success.
Teri, When I grew up, in the UK, every woman learned to knit. So when i arrived in the USA and eventually met women who kitted I thought it hilarious that they knitted SO slowly. When i returned to England I would buy knitted toys from a shop who really sold patterns. A few remain in my collection. SO knit on until you do it automatically.
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