Friday, January 4, 2008

First attempt of a knitting novice

Last night as we watched the Iowa Caucus returns, I finished my first knitting project. I decided to take up knitting back in November as a creative activity for my amusement and to produce handcrafted clothes and toys for Evangeline. I'd never knitted before, but figured anyone could read and follow instructions. I checked out several books from the library and selected my first project: a petal bib. In typical "Lewis" fashion, I chose my first project based on aesthetics, not ease. And, in short order, I realized I was in way over my head. As I suffered through the assignment, cursing my ambition under my breath, I was reminded of some advice C.J. Mahaney gives in his little book, Humility. He writes that if you want to cultivate humility, learn to golf. Add knitting to that list.

In spite of all the dropped stitches, restarts and flubbing, a bib did emerge from my needles.


This quasi-success notwithstanding, I've already decided the next project will be simple knit-stitched toy blocks.

7 comments:

Joyface said...

Wow! For all your complaining, the completed project looks really good or at least in the picture.

Simple Joys said...

It is gorgeous! And I laughed out loud at your "arrogance". I think it is a family trait to try out the hardest, but most interesting and beautiful, projects.

Luz said...

Evie said you'd taken up knitting! Woo hoo! It's such a wonderful pastime. In fact, I was hoping to surprise you with this, but since it's taken a bit longer than I anticipated, Evangeline will have to wait for her gift shortly after she's born.

orneryswife said...

Well, it is nice to finally have a name for the baby, or perhaps I haven't been paying attention and you'd posted it before. Lovely choice. As for the bib, it is too lovely to use! You did a splendid job.

My mother was an avid knitter, and created some of the most amazing things, including a dress for herself of a black yarn with blue metallic thread running through it, and a Barbie dress of the remnants for my doll. I am lacking in the patience for such projects, preferring mindless tasks that do not require study. I admire your tenacity!
TM

Heather@Cultivated Lives said...

Aack. It's beautiful. Suppressing the cursed Lewis urge to go out and buy knitting needles and "whip" some amazing project together! ;) I already have embroidery books from the library to teach myself freehand embroidery. I guess I should stick with learning one new skill at a time.

So pretty. Please post pictures of your blocks when you're done! Hopefully you will complete them before action shots are possible! :P

Melissa said...

Can I just tell you how much I love the name Evangeline? So much! And yay for new creative skills. I learned to quilt over the holidays from my grandma. I have hand-knitted barbie doll clothes that my mom made for her dolls when she was little...they last forever.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on completing such a difficult task and on the beautiful product! I learned how to knit and purl from my mom but following instructions to make anything was beyond me-- all I ever made were long scarves!