Tuesday, October 11, 2011

To Knit...or (K)not...

Long before I became a quilter, I had a knitting phase. Mostly in high school and college. A couple of sweaters, lots of afghans. This one still lives with my parents:
Several weeks ago this book arrived in the mail: The Gentle Art of Knitting by Jane Brocket.
Jane's style of writing and beautiful photos alone are worthy of the purchase. I flipped through the pages and she had fascinating sidebars, like this one
and this one
and beautiful pictures like this
and even some crochet:

These were projects you would make without a huge commitment of time or finances. Suddenly, there it was: the desire to pick up my knitting needles once again.

I made a craft caddy
and a needle roll.

I enlisted a knitting partner. I made her a craft caddy
and a needle roll.

So now we have matching containers for our supplies.


I didn't think I would ever knit again. But maybe. Maybe just a little. Just a couple balls of yarn. Just a couple...

That thud you just heard? Um, that could have been Mark.I think he started banging his head against the wall when I said, "Honey, really, it's only a couple balls of yarn. Really.  Only a couple..."

24 comments:

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Suzanne said... #

I felt the same way about crochet. Long before I quilted I did crochet and embroidery and I have been inspired to do a bit of both also thinking I wouldn’t go back to 'that' type of crafting again. The old becomes new again I guess, I say To Knit - definitely!

Pat said... #

Your craft tote and matching needle roll are really nice...I'm thinking I need to make a needle roll! Thanks for the inspiration..you do beautiful work.

Mary said... #

I have resisted learning to knit or crochet....if yarn grows anything like the fabric stash we could be in big trouble!

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said... #

Your totes and needle rolls are the prettiest ones I've ever seen. Oh go ahead - one or two (maybe 3 or 4) knitting projects won't be so bad :)

Anna @FreshDewDrops said... #

I have been feeling the pull of my crochet hook as of late. To knit! Love your caddys and rolls. Did you use a pattern?

Jen said... #

Can't wait to see what you make! I've tried knitting a few times, I know how to do the super basics but when I drop a stitch or something, I have to rip the whole thing out and start over! I just don't know how to fix a simple mistake. I crochet and it's so much faster for me than knitting, but I think the look of knitting is so much better than crochet! It just takes so long!!

Rachel said... #

Nope, it was my husband...banging his head as he tried to change the passwords to all things money related...Learning to crochet has been "on my list" for a LONG time...LOL..collecting yarn, well I was a natural at that. Recently (August) I drove with my oldest, cross country, back to college. She goes to school very close to where my brother and Sister In Law (Madame Super Knitter)live. I brought her every bit of all of the collection. I am NOT a crocheter. I REALLY admire you gals who can make yarn look like something recognizable.

Rachel said... #

P.S. But that tote is so darn cute...and it looks like it would really work...I could probably learn just to use the tote? (hear head banging increase)...

Terriaw said... #

Aren't Jane's books lovely? I have her first one. So charming and inspiring.

Love your knitting caddies and those needle rolls! How fun to have a knitting partner to get together. I have been knitting again lately too - just finished a hat and a pair of fingerless gloves. Fun!

Mrs Flying Blind... said... #

I am so glad I cannot sew or crochet or we wouldn't be able to move in this house!!

Deborah said... #

Oh my goodness! I am the luckiest friend in the world!! Can you believe how beautiful this set is? Jim and I have been sitting here oohing and awing!
Thank you so much,my bff! And for all of Cindy's blog followers, she is just as wonderful in person!

Kris said... #

Well my friend, when you are a crafter, it is just in your blood. My husband doesn't even bat an eye anymore! I quilt, sew, knit, and crochet. I am the newest to knitting though, and rediscovered crochet only a couple years ago, since it is so portable. Having my grandson full time since birth, has put a bit of a damper on my sewing time. But the handwork is easily transported from room to room, or outside and to the park. It just fits. I LOVE knitting. SO relaxing. I have only made dishcloths and slippers, but I am venturing out to socks this year!!!! LOVE the caddy, and needle roll. MUST. MAKE!!! Enjoy! Oh..where did you find that lovely book?

Connie said... #

I recently picked up my crochet hook again and found some yummy cotton yarn to make some very small pieces. It's not like I had a tub full of yarn from previous projects! Oh, well. But don't worry, my sewing machines do not languish.

CitricSugar said... #

LOL! My stash grows even when I don't have time to knit....

Love your accessories, too. I made myself a needle roll two years ago with lots of room to grow but between my project needs and my aunt giving me all of hers, it's busting at the seams!

Poppyprint said... #

I love it that you are embarking with a friend and that you have matching caddies!!!

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said... #

Your caddies and rolls are lovely. Happy knitting!

Carla said... #

You are so funny! I've been known to crochet dish cloths in the winter time (never summer for some reason), but I never have a cool bag like that. Love it. You probably know a cute little baby boy that could use a knitted blankey or two!!

Unknown said... #

LOL! Well, it would be a shame to let such beautiful supplies and a great book go unused ;)

Seems like all the yarn crafts are making a big comeback as of late across crafty blogland so you're in good company. :)

(and for those who want to learn to crochet...Craftyminx has crochet school going on right now. There's a button on the sidebar of my blog. I'll be an enabler ;) lol

The Luedtke Family said... #

I totally agree with what Jen said. However, a quick google search and I figured out how to pick up a slipped stitch.

Love the caddy and needle holder!

I love the yarning of crochet and knit. It is my main project medium of choice! Cannot wait to see what you create!

The Luedtke Family said... #

Oh, and it really is only a couple balls of yarn . . .

felicity said... #

Having a caddy like that would definitely put me in the mood to learn to knit! Lucky friend!

SGB said... #

I too knitted once long ago before quilting claimed my time and resources. Sometimes I feel it. . .my knitting basket and needles crying out to me from the dark spot in the extra bedroom closet where they have been banished. I resist them, but yes, I do feel the pull.

Anonymous said... #

Those are such lovely knitting caddies and needle rolls - perfect for the start of a new knitting adventure. Have fun!

Mama Pea said... #

I love knitting, but I had put it away for a while. I picked it up a year or two ago again and took up sock knitting. Now, I'm back to knitting vests and add in scarves (which I never did in my early days....I jumped right to sweaters), mittens. Currently making a baby sweater. Right....it's just a couple balls of yarn. I'm getting a bad yarn stash now.

And, you can make me a caddy and needle roll, too, by the way! LOL.