Mmm, bandwagon.

[ailbhe]

First, I'm much better today - I have been able to sit up most of the afternoon without getting dizzy, and I haven't had any periods of being totally unable to breathe. And my temperature seems to be way down. I'm still highly likely to go back to the doctor on Thursday because I don't see how I can be well by then, given current rate of recovery, and a week was what the doctor said last time.

My copy of Stitch 'n Bitch arrived in this morning's post (I was asleep, sweating - why is that so pictureskew in Period Romances? It's downright squalid in real life) and I discovered (a) that I've been purling wrong all this time, which is the only reason my knitting comes out too tight, and (b) a very simple pattern I can adapt for a thingie I hope to wear this summer.

Knitting is something I associate with my Nana. She mainly did tapestry, but she also taught grandchildren to knit. My aunt knits all sorts of novelty things, such as little Nativity scenes, complete with knitted myrrh, and I seem to remember a pig, but I may have dreamed that. There are photos of me teaching my cousin John to knit, too, and of Nana, my aunt (I think - someone from that generation) and myself all knitting in a row.

I can't justify spending serious money on yarn. But the stuff I'm using for my Thingie came from the charity shop, so it's definitely good value once the Thingie is made. And if this is a success, I can start on things for Linnea - I'd love her to have some warm stripy knitted leggings for next winter, with ribbed cuffs and waist, big enough for over a cloth nappy (ambitious? Me? Hah!). And there's always the possibility of knitting her some nappy liners and me some sanitary towels, though that seems unlikely until I have a whole lot less scar tissue or I'm a much smoother knitter.

Rob says that if I knit him socks he'll wear them if they're comfortable. This could cause a problem - I'm characteristically impatient with patterns.

We'll see how the Thingie goes. One step at a time. Thingie, then something where I actually follow the pattern as given. Yes. I can do this.

(Stop sniggering.)

Comments

[rosefox]

I really need to find some cheap places to buy yarn. All the quaint little boutique shopppppppes around here are absurdly expensive.

[ellipunk.livejournal.com]

You know, I hadn't knitted in something like 15 years and then I just knitted a baby cardigan for A. Needed online guidance from bopeepsheep admittedly because I couldn't understand the pattern and also my mum sewed it together when she was visiting - but hey, it's a cardigan, and he has worn it a good few times!
So go ahead and make your thingie, you may be surprised at how well it goes :-)

[mrs-warwick.livejournal.com]

I have always liked the idea of being creative, I never seem to be able to follow it up. My parents bought me a knitting set when I was about 8 - a bag with a selection of needles, wool and patterns for dolls clothes. I knitted a trouser suit for my Sindy doll. I still have the knitting bag with the trouser suit in it, all I need to do is sew it together. It's been there about 15 years now. I don't thik it will ever been finished.

[ellipunk.livejournal.com]

Aaah, but do you still have the Sindy doll?

[ailbhe]

As far as I can tell, yarn is absurdly expensive, and I'm jolly lucky old thing to have a charity shop with a yarn bin near me. Of course, I have no idea what goes into the yarn, since none of it is labelled, but hey, I can't have everything.

[sshi.livejournal.com]

The wierd thing is that I associate the term Stitch and Bitch with the fashion department of my college, due to the opinion of one previous department secretary (who rocked). Particularly when she would tell people of her opinions on the subject right after the yearly fashion show :>

[barakta]

My girlfriend learned to knit while at school and impressed many of us by still being able to do it 15 or so years later. Since she's the mistress of all things technical, electrical and if you push her mechanical (but draws lines at plumbing and effing wood) it's no great surprise that she can knit. She knitted a 3-4m long Dr Whoish scarf for 36 which got finished after a long gap in knitting time...

I tried to learn to knit but my limited dexterity really let me down and I ended up aggravating my bad shoulder. Still it's fun to watch other people knit and how quickly it all comes off the needles. Next time I go to a BiCon I'll try and go to the stitch and bitch sessions and find something less knitty to do.

Natalya

[k425.livejournal.com]

I come from a long line of knitters and my Nana, too, taught her grandchildren to knit. I've managed at least one thing every year and am half way through a jumper right now (though I've been overtaken by sudoku this month). I'm going to see if I can find S'n'B in town on Friday otherwise I'm ordering it from Amazon - I've just heard too much good stuff about it to not get it now!

I'm really glad you're feeling better. It can take ages but some days you notice a difference. More of those for you, I hope!

[glitzfrau.livejournal.com]

You must tell me which thingie. MUST. Which one?

[ailbhe]

I refuse to jinx this project by letting other people know so that I can imagine them holding me to some imaginary deadline, but I had to cast on 102 stitches to begin.