33. Learning to Knit
While I used to harbor a stereotype of knitting as an elderly, Miss Marple-ish pursuit, Ann Hood changed my view. Hood’s novel The Knitting Circle, based on the unimaginable grief she experienced in real life after the death of her five year old daughter, portrays the magical, healing powers of knitting and of a community of knitters.
Of course, Miss Marple never represented the diversity of knitters and the art (yes, art) they produce. People have done some amazingly creative things with yarn and knitting needles, including knit-bombing trees. But even some hand-knit scarves and sweaters will amaze you.
My friend Meredith, a former textile artist, has made many beautiful things. When she offered to teach me how to knit, I jumped at the chance. I wanted a glimpse of the transformative nature of the art that Hood describes, and the creative possibilities it offers. Or at least the Zen-like aura I see around friends when they pull out their knitting bags.
Beginners, though, can’t enter Nirvana.
Meredith pulled several balls of yarn from her stash, and I selected a thick, acrylic one in varied shades of green. Then we had to choose from among her huge assortment of knitting needles. Given the thickness of the yarn, Meredith suggested I use size 10 needles.
Then I had to learn how to cast on and create my first row of stitches. This wasn’t too difficult, although I messed up a few times and needed her help to undo my mistakes and get me back on track.
Once I was ready to build off of that first row and actually knit, we had to solve the handedness problem. Meredith knits righty; I’m a lefty. We figured out how to maneuver the needles in the opposite direction, and off I went.
Meredith taught me to knit but not to purl; the simple beginner scarf I’m making doesn’t require anything other than the one basic loop. I’ll save purling for another time.
Experienced knitters can ply their craft while watching TV, speaking on the phone, attending meetings, and more. Meredith’s sister can even knit while reading a book! Newbies like me, however, need to pay full attention to what we’re doing.
Once I got the hang of it, though, I could talk to Meredith while working on my scarf. Yay! That was actually the best thing about this adventure - getting together with a good friend, drinking tea, and catching up on life.
Knitting, it turns out, takes a long time. I managed to get through several rows in the two hours we spent together. Then I did several more at home. But I think it’s going to take a while to complete the scarf. I’ll update this post when I’m done.
I don’t think I’ll take up knitting once I finish my scarf - too much Carpal Tunnel possibility - but I’m grateful to Meredith for teaching me, and creating always feels good.
This one was free. Thanks, Meredith!
