Who Me?

Chuckling was heard the day I decided I was going to start knitting. Least you decide these sounds were emitted from the Peanut Gallery, I should quickly confess I was the one chuckling. Until the moment of decision arrived, I had no desire to learn to knit. When the idea began to spin {yes, pun intended!} around in my head, I found humor in the thought that I suddenly wanted to learn how. Even more surprising was the realization that it all made sense to have the desire to knit. After all, I had always enjoyed fiber arts and I needed some projects that were more portable than the more complicated bead projects I enjoy so much.

To those who have knit since childhood, it probably seems strange for someone to say they had no desire to learn to knit. While growing up, no one I knew ever mentioned knitting, so there was no enticement around. Nor do I remember any yarn shops in the towns where we lived. Weaving with fibers is intriguing and I have spent countless content hours bead weaving {on loom and off loom}. Additionally when I saw my first spinning wheel, I knew it was something I wanted to investigate. Yet knitting was just not in my plan ~ until two months ago. So what possibly could entice this Southern born gal to seek out knitting needles?

Being a very tactile person, I have always enjoyed creating things. Fibers and colors brighten my world. When I was in college, I enjoyed macramé and string art. Then I progressed into embroidery, needlepoint and bobbin lace. While making hand bound journals, it was fun to add fibers and beads to the spines. I have always enjoyed embellishing my paper art creations with fibers. It was only natural to move into making fiber and bead necklaces. {A side note for macramé enthusiasts: Micro-macramé with the beautiful cords now available makes wonderful modern bracelets!}

Having the privilege of growing up with parents who enjoy reading, I have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. Having read a couple of books centered around a knitting shop, I was searching our wonderful library system’s website when I discovered some “cozy mysteries” that continued the theme of the knitting shop. {I will review these books in future posts so you can enjoy them also.} In these books, the men and women were really enjoying knitting ~ some spinning ~ and the camaraderie they found in sharing these creative endeavors.

Before I knew what had happened, it was all making sense for me to learn to knit. Having taught paper arts and beading for a number of years, it was only natural to seek out a teacher. Having purchased some beautiful fibers and glass buttons from Naturally Needlepoint and Knitting in Tulsa, I remembered they had some beautiful yarns. I went in on my next day off and signed up for beginning knitting classes with Susan, a delightful and talented Knitter {yes, Knitter with a capital K ~ for those who have read Yarn Harlot}.

I just had my 5th knitting class this morning. Here’s a picture of my in-progress first scarf that is my practice for knitting and purling.




Knowing I would need to use yarn that was very appealing to me if I was going to want to finish my first project, I chose a skein of Noro Silk Garden Lite {45% Silk, 45% Kid Mohair and 10% Lamb’s Wool}. This skein is getting smaller and I am getting faster in my knitting and purling. The solid color is Noro Cash Iroha {40% Silk, 30% Lamb’s Wool, 20% Cashmere and 10%Nylon}. I will be using it for fringe and embellishments. When the skein has been used up, I want to learn about embellishing and blocking. {A side note for the curious in nature and for those with Knitting Attention Deficient Disorder ~ yes, I have other knitting projects in the works!} My crazy work in Information Technology has slowed my progress down, but I have learned a lot during this time and look forward to sharing more of this part of my tapestry with you.

Carpe knitting,
KZ