I take notice of the different stitches that make up my sweater. A rib stitch, garter, and purls. I like to look at how things are made. I want to know what someone had to do to create such a work of art. It’s not hard for a knitter to create this sweater. The stitches are quite simple. However, the hard part is preparing, reading, and envisioning the final product. It’s a labor consisting of countless hours of needlework and determination.
The gradient colors have both muted and bold tones. A garment that can be worn with almost anything. Careful thought must have gone into the sequence of events. The rolled cuff, the high delicate neck and the short, abbreviated shrift. Almost too short to hide my ample belly. I turn the cuff to see the wrong side as a contrast to the outside. To see the stitches more defined, a mirror image. It is soft and flexible, mimicking the outside perfectly. I could wear it inside out if I wanted to.
Knitting is my passion, a place where I lose all sense of time. My mind can wander a bit while I count rows and stitches. The exercise of deep thought and nimble finger work wipes the slate clean like a deep meditation. You can see the work unfold into a fabric of delight. Oh, it can be painstakingly tedious at times as you calculate how much more work needs to be done. However, the sense of accomplishment keeps you going until you pick up the needles again.
This art form requires a playful imagination. From finding a pattern to picking your needles and yarn. Yarn shopping for knitters is Nirvana. We buy, buy, buy whether we need it or not. Temptation has led me to a stockpiled, overflowing yarn stash. There are so many options, textures, weight, and yardage. How do you want the item to look? How do you want it to feel? I prefer natural fibers of Marino wool, alpaca or angora. If matched right with the pattern, you’ll have complete success. That’s if you don’t drop stitches or miss an instruction. And don’t get me started on colors, that’s a whole other funhouse.
My skill is ever evolving. I try patterns that are more difficult to stretch my knowledge. I knit for self-satisfaction only. I’m often asked to knit something for someone because they’ve liked what I made. I really don’t like doing that. Mainly because I knit very slowly and only knit for myself or the occasional gift. If I were to put a value on my time and effort, not to mention materials, no one would be able to afford my stuff. But I do give in every so often to be nice. Afterall, it’s easier the second time I create something I suppose.
It’s time to start planning the next project. Maybe a sweater. I will take out my tools and a glass of wine, and knit, knit, sip. The night is young and there’s rows before I sleep, rows before I sleep.
