Monday, March 24, 2008

Knit One, Purl Two!

We have this kids show DVD called Nanalan' that my sister-in-law Salome got for Blaise. One of the episodes has Nana the nanny knitting something that Russel the dog snatches away from her. A wild chase ensues with the star of the show, Mona, retrieving the scarf from a repentent Russel. All this to say that while Nana is knitting she is saying aloud "knit one, purl two, knit one, purl two" and that has been going through my head as I have taken up knitting.

My mom taught me when I was little but I had forgotten, plus I don't rememeber making any really stellar projects as a child. I have really wanted to learn again, so a few weekends ago I took out the needles I had brought here with me over 2 years ago. I recalled seeing Julie (the Peters' kids tutor from Alberta) knitting a scarf around Christmas so I got her to show me how to get started. Zaak, Julie and myself always play Settlers (and eat churrascos) Saturday nights but that night all I wanted to do was knit! That must be why I lost both games, I kept knitting when it wasn't my turn to play :)

I quickly finished off the small amount of yarn I had started with and promptly gave it to Blaise for a teddy bear blanket. Unfortunately I didn't "bind off" (I think that's what it's called) so my first practice project soon unravelled itself, whoops. I won't make that same mistake this time.

Today with the rain coming down and the kids blessedly napping in unison, I looked up some knitting instructions. Julie had started me off so I needed to learn how to "cast on" - all these fun terms, like a new language! I found a great sight with super simple knitting instructions.

And so it begins! My hope and dream is to get to a point where I could be proud to see my children and husband (and myself too of course!) wearing items I have knitted. I also would love to be able to give as gifts the things I knit...so we'll see how I do on this knitting journey I've embarked on - wish me luck!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I too learnt how to knit as a child. I crocheted much more, doing a doily or two and an afghan. As an adult I started crocheting a top for myself. I still have it in storage, more than half done and wouldn't fit me now. I have a half knitted dishcloth as well from about 5 years ago. I will have to get a lot of projects finished when the kids move out.

Anonymous said...

Well...good luck on the knitting. Your grandkids will really appreciate all those Afgans that you knit for them :-)

Anonymous said...

So you don't have to knit afghans! There are cool things to knit too! Like toques, scarfs, kids blankets! :) I knitted Nate's little blanket that he sleeps with. Fun, fun... I haven't knit for awhile... since moving to SA. But will for sure pick it up again - after I am through this scrapbooking kick! :)

April said...

Wishing you all the luck in the world! It feels good to make something; we'll have to knit scarves together in the summer, practice for when we are old ladies...

Amber said...

Dawn - is crocheting much garder than knitting? It looks it.

Sirdar - I guess you're not a big afghan fan hey :)

Mish - Afghans aren't cool?

April - You are ON sister!