For the love of knitting....

I am definitely a beginning knitter...however, I have been working on it here and there for maybe the past 6 months or so now. You see, with 4 little ones and one on the way....learning new skills takes a little more time than it used to. Also, I suppose, it didn't help that I was homeschooling, starting up a new blog, starting a Natural Living group with a friend, as well as teaching myself to sew, and oh, probably about 100 other things! I think we all know how life gets busy...and geez, after typing that I think I need to s-l-o-w down a bit!

My mom told me once that when she looks back on her 30's she can't believe the things she did and learned and tried to accomplish in a given year. Maybe that's why God gives us these wee ones while we are still youngish so we have the energy to keep up.....and do other things as well.

Please don't think I am doing each of these things every day. Oh no, God and family come first (at least that is my goal!) Plus, I am sure it would cause major revolts to have mama at the puter (as my littlest calls the computer), or sewing machine all day and ignoring them! I try to set limits for myself and stick to them.

As far as knitting goes, I have definitely fallen in love with the rhythm of my hands and the repetitive movement that is knitting, which lets my mind fall to other things. My mind has a chance to wonder, pray or talk with my loved ones----and I feel as though a wee bit of myself goes into each one. A bit of my heart goes into each little stitch, and I think of those who will wear the scarfs, mitts, or whatever it is I do or will make.

Simple ways to love my children.

As far as knitting I originally learned how from my middle daughter. Yep, she was 12 at the time, and very patiently I might add, taught me how to knit. I have loved the journey of learning this new skill, yet had a few things I needed to tweak, that my daughter didn't exactly know how to help on.

Then, I heard this book was HIGHLY recommended (see below), even if it had an odd title! So, I bought it and have been very, very pleased.

See how my edge stitching is kinda loose here? (I know it's probably hard to tell in this photo.)

{the yarn above is 100% organic lion brand....so very soft to the touch}

After following the methods in the book, here is my latest attempt at it. No, not a pro job, yet it's definitely much snugger and neater looking. This book has helped my knitting in other ways as well, that would be but one example.

~aren't natural fibers gorgeous...this is dyed with kool-aid!~

I would highly recommend this book as the best one I have seen so far, and I've looked at quite a few, for beginning knitters. Did I mention I have a VERY hard time learning to knit from a book? The pictures are usually very confusing, and the words never seem to help. Not the case with this book...which made me SO pleased, and my daughter got a break from trying to explain things to me as well! A win-win situation!

Happy stitching,

Joy

p.s. In case you're wondering...I am NOT being compensated to endorse this book....just trying to help out my fellow beginning knitters....we gotta stick together!

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Your knitting looks just lovely - the colours & the photography. I know what you mean about the difficulty of learning from a book! It is so tricky. Sometimes I watch youtube for some knitting things - & sometimes it helps. Thanks for your sweet post & ideas. Katie x

Posted by: Obaitori | 07/26/2010 at 08:35 PM