In Knitter's Almanac, Elizabeth Zimmerman says something about knitting on through adversity. EZ knew a think or two. When faced with the prospect of a whole afternoon at a dire extended family function at the end of a rough week, I treated myself to one of the pretties from stash.
Knitting the Pretties is one of my 2008 resolutions.
This is hand dyed, hand spun Wensleydale with little glass beads. The yarn was called Dew Drop Fancy by it's creator, that yarn maven, Helen Rippin. I bought it at our visit to Bundanoon in October. There was a scant 115g of this gorgeous Navajo plied yarn and I wasn't sure it would be enough for what I wanted but the Yarn Goddesses smiled and it was just enough for a short but spunky Short Circuit Scarf over 8 stitches on 6.5mm needles.
There was no blood shed at the family function, at least not by me. I was pleasant and composed at all times and I completed a project, so it was productive.
I also taught myself a new skill - knitting backwards. It's slower, of course, than knitting forwards, but the look of intense concentration on my face could be attributed by the person speaking to me as wrapt attention in them. I get bonus points for this.
The only downside - requests for two similar scarves. Both from really lovely and generous people, though - so that's ok.
12 comments:
The scarf is lovely! I bookmarked the pattern for future reference. I could use the practise on short rows. I just need to find the right yarn in my stash!
Knitting backwards? I can't imagine how difficult that would be. I cannot bowl with my left hand because my body can't figure out what to do, I can't picture knitting backwards. The scarf is pretty in those colors.
oh that yarn has come up really nice. very pretty indeed.
Knit the prettys - and how pretty is that!
Very pretty indeed!
I know just what you mean - I love my family, but sometimes I love them best at a distance.
Pretty colours and sparkly glass beads would take the edge off nicely.
Very Lovely indeed. There's nothing like treating yourself to yummy yarn and then being able to knit something gorgeous with it.
That is flipping gorgeous!
I am always found knitting at family dos. It is a shield.
Love the yarn - and am glad it wasn't damaged by any bloodshed! Nothing like knitting to soothe away a challenging week.
A very pretty pretty indeed, and the onerous get together wasn't wasted as you learnt (taught yourself) a new skill. Way to go.
Very, very pretty. I'm all for knitting the pretties in the stash, because then they aren't hiding in the darkness of the stash cupboard anymore.
It's a stealth scarf when it's all curled up... you wouldn't realise until it unravelled to keep you warm that it was indeed a scarf!
Well done on maintaining your equilibrium AND knitting something beautiful at a difficult family gathering! I don't know how to knit backwards, but I bet it makes the Short Row Scarf even easier (less of the needle turny stuff)!
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