I think I’ve mentioned that I’ve learned to knit. And purl. I can knit and purl. In a rectangle. Which means that I’ve made a lot of scarves. At first I was a bit bummed about this. The perfectionist in me said, “Accomplish this skill! Be a great knitter! Knit something amazing!”
I bought the Stich N’ Bitch book, excited about learning some new skills. I was one step closer to a hat, or wrist warmers, or a sweater. I actually love the book…it all makes sense, until I get past the knit and the purl and the rectangle bit. Then everything sort of gets fuzzy.
I realized, though, that I was getting really frustrated with knitting. I just didn’t have the patience to learn increase and decrease, patterns and textures. I do plan on asking my friend Shara, who is an amazing knitter, for some help in those areas, but for the moment, I’m happy with my little scarves. Knitting is something I started for creativity, for relaxation, for something to keep my hands busy. And when I’m knitting a scarf, I’m pretty happy.
I tend to do this with so many things in my life. I try something, and immediately want to “accomplish” it, to be the best at it. Some examples:
1. Hey, this yoga stuff is fun! I should be a teacher! Right now!
2. Sewing? I can sew. I should sew my entire wardrobe!
3. I like my handwriting. I should be a calligrapher!
4. I like to read. I should read every book in the library, in alphabetical order!
5. I love to cook. I should have gourmet meals, every night! Yes!
I overdo it to the point where it is no longer fun. I excel at this. But this year, I’m taking a step back, looking a little deeper, and figuring things out. I like to knit. And purl. I like to knit and purl scarves. And that’s okay.
From top to bottom:
**Pink scarf, my first ever, done with cheap acrylic yarn. Kinda long but very warm.
**Purple scarf, my second ever, done with two yarns from the Target dollar bin, held together while knitting.
**Beige scarf, for my love, warm and snuggly from another Target yarn.
**My favorite, my monster scarf, made with a super-soft and way cute yarn from Michael’s. Justin doesn’t like to look at it because he says it reminds him of monster skin, and it scares him a little.
**My current project, an incredibly soft scarf from an awesome bulky yarn I found at Michael’s, for my grandma.
**Not pictured: One purple/pink belt for my niece, four small scarves for my sisters-in-law.
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