There is a rush of adrenaline with that last step. As if you have in fact run a marathon, sewing together the last seam on a project now completed. There is something that I can show for the hours of work I've put in and the lessons I've put to use.
I took knitting classes years ago with friends and if I remember correctly, we all chose the same pattern to learn on. It was a raglan roll-kneck children's sweater, a la JCrew. I made mine in a navy blue, no recipient in mind necessarily. That turned out to be a blessing the project was put down and never picked up again once I got to the point where I needed to sew the seams together. I admit that I was intimidated by that last step. It was something new that I had not learned before.
My approach to knitting and my classes in general now are the complete opposite. I purposefully selecting projects that include skills that I believe need strengthening so. I don't expect we can all known or learn everything, but if we can at least experience the more common challenges under the careful watch of a skilled knitter, then we have a much better chance of taking on challenging projects once classes are over.
Some of the projects that I've started include a Baby Garter Sweater, an Easy Drop Stitch Scarf, pocket slippers, umbilical cord hats, mittens (frogged), Picot socks and a crocheted headband with flower. Our choices help us learn skills such as provisional cast on, wrap & turn, casting on in the middle of a row, button holes, picking up stitches, hemming, yarn over, increasing, decreasing, seaming, splitting work to create a v-neck. Maybe even crochet.. chain stitch, sc, half double, double, half double, triple, slip stitch... which leads to making dish cloths, and this week was a headband with a crochet flower. I must say, I am very happy with my crochet flower!
In the meantime, I have finished the Baby Yeti sweater. I contemplated reseaming one side of it that looks somewhat amateurish, but that can be done at anytime. In the meantime, the ends are sewn in, the seams are done and even though I chose not to block it, it is considered "completed" in my estimation. And I am proud to share the finished product here:
I would guess it's a 3-6m sized hooded sweater... somewhat heavy weight wool, but soft. I've been asked many times who I will give it to. But I think this one is for me. I think this one I have to keep as a reminder of my a great knitting accomplishment, to full completion. That I didn't give up. Even better, perserverence. And here is the crochet project in progress:
Crocheted Headband
Closeup of Crocheted Flower on headband
I am having fun and it's a far more productive and enjoyable hobby then spending countless hours on the internet; time I've lost that I can't get back. [And no, blogging does not count!]
This may be an old-fashioned hobby in some minds. I struggle with that; the image of a spinster, cat-lady who sits alone at home, knitting or crocheting. I already feel old before my time. But I am not old, I am not a spinster and I don't have cats. This is for the fun of it. It is for the peace I get and for the pleasure that comes with seeing a finished project. Who cares what anyone else thinks!?
Next? Maybe a felted birdhouse... I'll keep you posted as I take the next lap in this journey!
-Knotty Nancy :)
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