Knit, Purl, Knit, Purl...

Well I have been taking my knitting classes and while I understand the basics of how to knit and purl, I still struggle. I am one of the frequent people who show up outside of class to show the instructor what I have done. Often this is in an attempt to help me figure out where I have once again gone wrong. Despite this struggle and frustration, I am really liking knitting, to the point of staying up late so I can finish one more row. As many of my friends would point out...it is a sickness. I'm off to indulge....

Challenges

Out in my neck of the woods we have finally finished with snow, and it appears the rain is also finally subsiding. There are a few places that are still under flood watch, and parts of Chilliwack are flooded, but thankfully no loss of human life. Still it is cold, and I have signed up for Crunchy Chicken's "Freeze Yer Buns Challenge". I've been spending a lot of time under the blankets in an effort to keep warm. And because I am under the blankets, there has been a lot of time reading, or surfing the net.

I have signed up for another challenge, a science reading challenge. I already belong to a local book club. I joined a club not only for the social aspect, but also to challenge myself to read books that I might not normally choose to read. With this in mind, I decided that I would not review books for the science challenge, that I have already read or would normally read. In other words no books about sustainability, climate change, peak oil, etc. I want to read about aspects of science that I might not otherwise have chosen. I think a starting place might be female scientists. I done a bit of looking, but I have not decided which books I am going to choose. I do hope lots of people sign up for the Science Book Challenge 2009. Hopefully this link works out (I admit I still have not been able to figure out what I am doing wrong when it comes to linking), however if it does not please google them.

On the home front I have indeed signed up for the knitting classes. When I first inquired about the classes I explained that I am a complete novice, I know nothing. I believe I said something to the effect of... "see all this stuff, to me it is a bunch of yarn and some pointy sticks." I showed up and signed up. The lovely woman then informs me that for this class, which again is for beginners, I have to know how to knit and purl. I then shoot her one of my 'are you kidding me' looks and once again explain that I am looking for the "I have no idea how to knit class" as I do not know how to knit. After a bit of an Abbott and Costello routine, she, thankfully offers to teach me how to knit and purl (by the way, these are two very basic stitches). So I have pre-classes if you will.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Try, try again...

I love to learn and have decided that I am going to explore some of my interests that I had when I was younger, things like art and design. I am under no illusions that I am somehow the next DaVinci. Even the stuff I do well is not to the level of some masters, but for me it is fine. In other words I can cook well enough to feed myself and guests without having to ensure that the ambulance is on standby, but Iron Chef Feenie I am not. I have decided to learn how to knit and crochet. I figure that this will nurture my creative side without taking away from my practical side. When I get really good I might be able to make sweaters...I do live in Canada and despite global warming it still gets very chilly (read darn tootin cold).

Prior to my deciding to learn these skills, I should note that I can crochet a single line for as long as I would care to, but really that is about it. As for knitting, somehow that is a process that has long had an air of mystery for me. I know and have known extremely talented people who are able to create wonderful items through knitting and/or crocheting, but alas not me. In fact my grandmother was an amazing knitter; I'm not actually sure I remember seeing her sit down to watch television without knitting something. She made sweaters, blankets, toques, and a number of other things. I also have a really good friend who is very artistically talented. When we were housemates for a bit she crocheted these amazing sweaters, not lacy ones, but gorgeous sweaters that fashionable type people wore. Both of these people make it all seem so easy.

My grandmother did attempt to teach me to knit, but for whatever reason, I was never able to get it. As for crocheting, my good friend was able to explain crocheting things other than a really long chain. I remember being able to crochet a square, but really it has been a very long time and honestly I just cannot remember what she was teaching me. Previously I have borrowed from the library (and once in a while bought) in an effort to learn how to do both. Thus far, I have not been successful. Once again I have signed out a book from the library, in the hopes of changing my track record. This time however, I have borrowed a book from the children's section. Perhaps this time Ill have more success.