Mark Twain

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do ...
Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

My Happy Place



This is a beaded shawl I finished for my daughter as a gift for this Christmas.
 I don't think she follows my blog so this picture should be safe here.  The pattern is called Cathedral Windows.
And she lives directly across the street from the National Cathedral
with beautiful cathedral windows.   

I began knitting officially in 1998.  I say 'officially' because I sort of knew how to knit back in the 70's, but the hobby never took root then.  I was self taught.  I was terrible at it.  I wanted immediate gradification.  I had no patience for long projects, problem solving fit issues, learning to correct mistakes, or accepting the fact an item might 'perfect' even if I was the only who could see the error.  In 1998, however, I left a life sucking management job and had learned that imperfection was ok.  I decided to 'recover' from that profession by learning to knit at a yarn store.

The time was right.  Knitting became a life-enhancing hobby that I would be lost without.

Over the years I tried to expand my crafting horizon beyond knitting to other related activities. 

Some Merino and Silk fiber that is waiting for me to
spin it.
I learned to spin.  There was, of course, the initial excitement and purchasing of equipment.   First I spun yarn on a spindle and then quickly bought a full size spinning wheel.  I looked at the end product of spinning - yarn.  I realized pretty quickly that I am a product spinner rather than a process spinner.  I wanted the finished yarn (the product) more than the effort (the process) to get the yarn.  The yarn I created was nice, interesting, unique.  But I have no desire to create one-of-a-kind yarns.  I am happy to purchase beautiful yarns - owning it NOW - rather than participating in the dream of owning it someday.  I gave my spinning wheel to a cousin.  I kept my spindles and sometimes they 'call' to me.  I will return to this hobby at some point - casually dipping my toe back in the water of spindle spinning - because I have some wonderful fibers that I just can't part with.  But can spinning ever replace knitting?  Never.


Here is a woven shawl I treasure.  It was created by my cousin
using hand spun yarn.  The amount of effort for a shawl like
this is enormous.
I learned to weave.  Again, my initial interest in weaving sparked excitement ... and new equipment, new skills, new jargon.  I had active weavers in my family.  My Pennsylvania cousin is an amazing weaver with several floor looms and a wide variety of table looms.  My sister was bitten by the weaving bug and is in hot pursuit in the 'loom acquisition contest' she has going with our cousin.  And it is great fun to watch them.  They both create beautiful items.    And I own three table style looms, a tapestry loom and several pin looms.  I plan to keep all those - especially the smaller looms.  I can see myself weaving projects on my pin looms at some point, as well as the tapestry loom.  And maybe I will return to my table looms.   Maybe.  But I am a product weaver - wanting the end item more than wanting the process of weaving.  Although this hobby did make more inroad in my crafting time and wallet, did it tramp down my enthusiasm for knitting?  No.  Not even a close second.  Too much equipment to juggle for me.  Not as portable as knitting, and while the product produced can be breath taking when finished, it requires a pretty decent commitment of time to learn the craft at that level.  Desire must be present.  I think I am missing the desire.

And then there is knitting, the craft that started it all.  Knitting never left my side during my side trips into other crafts.  After 20 years of knitting, I can accomplish most projects at an acceptable level even to my critical perfectionist eye.  Yes, knitting takes more time than weaving or spinning.  It is an argument I have heard more than once.  Since I am a process knitter rather than a product knitter, time is not a negative.   And knitting is so much more portable than the other two crafts: simple tools can be carried anywhere.  Finally ... the most important positive element of knitting that trumps all other craft considerations - is the calming effect it has on my brain.  No need for drugs.  Knitting is sort of my happy place.  The missing element in spinning and weaving - desire - is abundant in knitting for me.  But it should be said ... finding your calm place can happen with any craft.  Weavers and spinners say it all the time - how relaxing their craft is ... and I believe it because I experience it with knitting.

Here is a shawl I made for myself
to wear to a wedding.   
Another shawl I made for myself.






















I love that knitting graduated from the 'rocking chair grandmother' status into an activity that is loved by all ages.  In fact, weaving and spinning has also experienced a resurgence in popularity.  It could be argued that this resurgence is because of knitting.

Knitting, it seems, is the 'gateway drug' to many fiber activities like weaving and spinning for a lot of people.

If you don't knit and are considering learning this habit forming activity, don't say I didn't warn you!

16 comments:

Paula said...

That shawl for your daughter is beautiful. My mother was a knitter. The bug never bit me!

Michelle said...

Thank-you for glimpses of some of your projects!

Retired Knitter said...

Thank you. My mom was a knitter when she was younger, although I don't ever remember seeing her knit. My grandmother (her mother) was a great knitter. Knitter a 3 pc suit for herself. I have some of her knitting needles. Special.

Retired Knitter said...

Thank you for being my continued inspiration with regards to spindle spinning. I see your work and I think - every single time - I need to get out my spindles. Between your spinning and the pictures of your animals - especially that wonderful bully - I truly enjoy your blog.

Michelle said...

I enjoy yours, too, and am glad you're back to posting! Your words made me realize I'm a process spinner and a product knitter, so there is room for both in my life. And my spindles are every bit as portable as my knitting, without the need to count!

Carolyn said...

First, your shawl is amazingly gorgeous and I am sure that your daughter will love it! As I read on I was totally in agreement... I wove a lot and did a bit of drop spindle spinning as an art student in college... I was sure that by now, I would be all back into it... but, no, as for you, it is all about the knitting... peace, process, slow accomplishment, etc...

Retired Knitter said...

Thank you Carolyn. I am not surprised that you understand my commitment to knitting. And I LOVE your designs. You have come a long way in this craft. Right now I am working diligently towards projects for my future grandchild. But I have several of your patterns and they are in my list of future goals. Thanks for visiting.

happyone said...

You have quite a talent. I enjoy knitting too but don't think I could ever reach the skill that you have.

Priscilla said...

Your daughter is so blessed to get that shawl! Yes, let's hope she doesn't pop by your blog.:-) I really like the woven shawl your cousin did, too. I can understand why you treasure it so much. I never got into knitting, but I do enjoy crocheting. Here's to hobbies that take us to our happy place!

Retired Knitter said...

You sure could. It is just a process of breaking it into managed sections.

Retired Knitter said...

I crochet as well. Somethings just go better if crocheted - like children's toys for one. But I am happiest with knitting needles in my hands. But crochet is starting to grow on me. :-)

Lynne said...

Loved reading this post . . .
Your knitting is exceptional . . .Oh my, the Cathedral shawl . . . what a treasure.

My knitting has never been at your level . . , however we may share “The Happy Place.”
I still try once in awhile but after my hand injury it has been difficult.

Happy you found me, I have “found you” back.

Retired Knitter said...

Hi Lynne. I never miss your posts - they are dropped in my inbox. I was 'off' writing for a time so I wasn't commenting on other blogs or writing on my own. But I am feeling more myself - after a long period of distraction since my mom's passing ... and I am hoping to be more engaged in the blogs I follow, like yours.

Una said...

I love all your colours and your work is so delicate and detailed.

Nawm D Gerr said...

I love you blog and I LOVE your knitting. So beautiful! I crochet, but I want to learn how to knit. I also want to learn how to make a quilt, but not until I retire.

Retired Knitter said...

Nawm, nice to meet you and thank you for visiting my blog. I checked in on yours - a new one. I will be visiting and commenting again there. Not sure if you can add one small thing. I follow blogs by subscribing through email. That way when you post to your blog, I get a notice in my email that you have a new post. Check it out. It is probably an option buried in the service that houses your blog.