For years I yearned for the skill of knitting. I was envious of those who could. I felt too embarrassed to admit that I didn’t know how. I believed that knitting was something I should have learned young. I thought that skill had passed me by. Then, one day, I decided to put an end to all that and learn.
Making the Commitment
From the time I was a little girl, I had fond affection for anything hand knit or crocheted for me. I adored all the gifts given to me by elderly aunts. I felt they had the keys to some magic. They somehow knew how to turn ordinary yarn into a toy or slippers for me. I thought that I might one day hold the keys to that secret. Somehow, I never got that chance. My own mother doesn’t know how to knit. My elderly relatives thought perhaps someone else would teach me, or that the modern world was done with hand knitting. I found myself as a thirty year old woman without a clue as to how to knit, and feeling like I was missing out. I knew this was my challenge for before I turned 40.
Frustrated and Embarrassed
Initially, I started asking people around me to teach me. Either they didn’t know, or didn’t have the time to sit down with me. I thought I’d just watch others and pick it up. I couldn’t quite understand the explanations though. I suspected this might be harder for me than I hoped. I bought myself Teach Yourself Knitting and some yarn. I watched online videos. I cried. I threw yarn and needles across the room. Instead of giving up, though, I became possessed. I was going to learn — and I was going to teach myself — if it broke me.
Revolved Plaited Stitches
One day, my wadded, tattered yarn yielded to my fingers. I felt as if the heavens had opened to choral singing. I did it! It looked horrible, but I had cast on a few stitches. Then, I was making a scarf. The pictures in the books made sense. Part way through, I realized that I wasn’t knitting in garter stitch, but rather in the back. I made my first scarf in an advanced stitch. No wonder I had been struggling! I also gave up on English style knitting. I concluded that I’m a natural Continental knitter. Once I realized what I had been doing, I wasn’t embarrassed, but charmed. I’m a knitter.
By my fortieth birthday, I had met my goal – and surpassed it. I had completed several ambitious pieces, and built up a reputation among my friends and family. Persistence was my key. I may have got a late start, but I met the challenge of teaching myself to knit.
