Knitting: A Journey

I've decided that learning to knit was probably the best skill I've picked up, ever. I love being able to work my magic and go *poof* a hat exists where there was no hat before! And *flash of light* my child magically has mittens! And judging from the compliments I've gotten over the years ("Wow, that looks storebought!" "That is so amazing!" "I wish I could do that.") it seems like a lot of other people think this is pretty neat, too.

Lest anyone get the wrong idea and think that I was knitting lace shawls as a child when most kids were playing nintendo, allow me to set the record straight:

 In case you can't read the fine print, those forlorn-looking objects that look as though they have been coughed up by a cat are a "teddy bear hat" and a "barbie doll rug." Fabulous! I poke fun at them, but my mom and I were very proud.

And you know what? I pretty much stayed at the same knitting level for years ("So...tell me about this thing called 'purling?'"). I didn't start to actually do stuff with knitting until after I had graduated college and married. I was bored one day and thought, "I think I'll knit socks today." So I did. I got a copy of Folk Socks from the library and bought some yarn and size 2 dpns (that's "double-pointed needles" for the uninitiated.) and made these:

 Woot! SOCKS! You can wear them and everything! And you know what? They were a lot less scary and complicated to make than one might think.

Since then I've made lots of things, but I don't tend to blog about every single project or post them on Ravelry: sweaters, socks, hats, shawls, mittens, scarves, etc etc etc.

The point is, there is a natural progression in learning any skill and knitting is no exception. I didn't know anything about k2tog or heel stitch or negative ease before I made my first pair of socks, but it wasn't hard to figure it out with a pattern that explained everything. Now, when choosing a new project, I like to select something that includes a technique that I've never done before because I enjoy the challenge. 2-into-9? Sure! Thrums? Don't mind if I do! Nupps? Yes, please!

I tend to knit in public ("KIP") and it tends to impress people. I always feel a flattered, but also a little sad. Knitting isn't a mysterious art that can only be learned by spending a few years with Tibetan nuns! Anyone can do it. Yes, that means you.

So I'm going to make an announcement: If anyone who reads my blog wants to learn to knit, I will teach you. You provide the yarn and the knitting needles and I will show you what to do with them. This is, of course, assuming that you live close enough for this to be worthwhile. Obviously lessons aren't going to be effective if I live in Utah and you're currently on assignment in Yemen. But it will be great. We'll start with a garter stitch scarf and then go from there. You never know - you might be better at it than I am. My ego would be in no way bruised.

The same offer stands for tatting (You provide the shuttle, I can loan you some thread), and spinning (We can jury-rig a drop spindle, and I have plenty of fiber.).