I'mma knit me a sweater. Most anyone who talks to me for more than 15 seconds knows that I love to knit (and crochet!) It's something I always wanted to do, and set out to learn a few years ago. With the help of my mom and some instructional books, that's just what I did. And something strange happened...I found a hobby.
Now, I have always wanted a hobby. But I'm not good at things. I can cook, and I can make you laugh, but I wouldn't call cooking a hobby, more something that needs to be done so it gets done well. And the laughing, well half the time I don't even mean for that to happen. That is a talent, but not a hobby.
I scrapbooked a little once. That costs a lot of money to start up. And I can sew, but that takes a lot of time to set up and take down, and it's noisy. Not the best hobby for someone who's trying to steal a moment here and there with her young children afoot. Yarnwork is so quiet, so portable. You can take it with you anywhere. You can work on it while your toddler naps on the couch next to you. You can take a spare ten minutes and actually get something accomplished!
So now, I am a knitter. And a hooker.I am also a self-professed yarn snob and not ashamed of it. I spend much of my computer time perusing Ravelry either to find ways to use up yarn I have in my stash, or to get ideas for what projects I might want to buy yarn FOR. I have made lots of knitty friends, and my weekly "me" night is spent at the local yarn shop, which hosts a weekly knit night for those of us who want to shop, visit, and get tips and advice. They sell many luxury yarns that make you just want to curl up in them and sleep amid a whirlwind of color. The two owners, not to mention the half dozen employees, are friendly, outgoing, and knowledgeable. I have never left the store feeling like I've wasted my time, and to be honest, knit night may have saved my life while I battled postpartum depression.
I love to knit. I've taught a few friends to knit, and my new biggest fear is to be incapacitated in the hands. I am thankful for a hobby that I love and that enables me to make a little money and make beautiful and whimsical things for people I love.
Now, onto the meat of this post.
I alter patterns. I very rarely follow a pattern to the letter. I often mean to, but then I fudge and it comes out all my own. I am working on a top right now, a short-sleeved fitted sweater with a keyhole neck and little pockets built right in. I am using a lovely hand-dyed, robin's egg superwash wool, and foregoing the pockets on the bottom. It is going to be lovely, and I hope it fits me the way it fits the model in the photo.
I also ordered yarn last night for a wonderful sweater that I am dang near gutting in order to make it my own. The pattern is called "Snowbird" and it is a cardigan sweater with very long sleeves, about upper-thigh length. It is knit in a few pieces in reverse stockinette, with stockinette false seams and a thick collar of stockinette. I especially love the patch pockets. Now, you may ask why I would alter the pattern drastically if I am so in love with the way it looks. Think of it as buying a house. It's perfect because you can make it your own. And I'mma gonna. I'm starting with a dark blue heathered wool. I am starting at the neck with a provisional cast-on, and working a seed stitch collar which will continue down the front of the sweater, on the cuffs, the hem, and the pockets. Instead of reverse stockinette, I will be knitting in stockinette. I have not decided if I am going to go ahead and seed stitch on the false hems, or just skip them altogether. It will be upper-thigh length on me, and then I will add a hood at the end, including the same seed stitch panel as will be present down the front of the sweater. I am so excited to start, and I can't wait to share.
Thanks for reading!
