Monday, April 29, 2013

Y is for Yarn!



    I have always been fascinated by yarn ever since I was little.  Even today I love to browse the yarn aisles in local stores in awe of all the colors, textures, and variegated patterns.  My mother used to knit and crochet proficiently.  I used to love to watch her work the needles and create afghans and clothes from a simple ball of yarn.



         When I was around 10 I made up my mind I wanted to learn to crochet.  I wanted more than anything to be like her.  It seemed she could do anything!  My mother bought me a book that I studied diligently entitled "How to Crochet", a crochet hook, and yarn and with practice I learned and became proficient.  Over the years I have made countless afghans, baby blankets, clothes, dish cloths, and pot holders.


          Finally I challenged myself a little more and taught myself to knit.  Unfortunately several years back while knitting an afghan carpal tunnel struck and the pain kept me from continuing.  Recently I bought a bunch of knitting 
looms and made up my mind to learn to knit with a loom.  So far I love my looms and have renewed my passion for yarn in a whole new way.  I am determined to learn how to knit socks with a sock loom.  Until then I will practice and transform balls of yarn into colorful panels of fabric which I will sew together to create warm, cozy blankets.


24 comments:

  1. I wish I had bugged my grandmother to teach me to bead crochet. I just didn't think of it....too caught up with trying to be as anti-feminine as possible when was a kid. Anything I thought of as girly, like sewing, knitting, cooking & fashion, I avoided.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoJo, it is never too late!! You should get a book and teach yourself. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments!

      Delete
  2. I used to crochet once - then I got married... It irritated hubby to no end that I would be doing something and not paying him attention.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lanthie, wow I guess I have never run into that one! My husband usually falls asleep as soon as he hits the recliner so I am pretty much left to my own devices. LOLOLOLOLOL Thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind comments!

      Delete
  3. Ive kinda given up on yarn. I think I can do just about anything unless it involves string!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Zoe, awww!! LOL Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments!

      Delete
  4. I admire you being good at knitting and crocheting. I have tried them and only succeeded in making long lopsided scarves. And don't even get me going on sewing.

    Nice you can continue on your mom's legacy of knitting and crocheting. Are the knitting looms more fun than needles? I always found knitting awfully tedious and admire those who do it well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Writercat59, I have found that the looms are much more fun. I always found knitting with needles awful tedious and hard. I would slip stitches and then have to figure out how I was going to fix my blunder. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments!

      Delete
  5. My nana taught me to crochet but I never stuck with it...I would love to learn to knit. It's on my bucket list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tayla, you should give it a go! Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments.

      Delete
  6. I never quite got the hang of crochet but I do like to knit although it takes me a long time to finish a project.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sally, the worst part is finding the time to sit down and just do it. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments!

      Delete
  7. Great post, Kathy. I've been a yarn lover since I decided to teach myself to crochet two years ago. Unfortunately I'm also on the DL right now with tendonitis in my right wrist. I'm hoping it will resolved soon so I can get back to my hooks. Isn't there anything you can do for your carpal tunnel?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elainelk, I am so pleased you enjoyed it! As far as the carpal tunnel goes I wore wrist braces for a while. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments!

      Delete
  8. Knit-one pearl-two, making sweaters is fun to do. Yahoo for you!

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joyce, thank you for stopping in and for your comments that actually rhyme.

      Delete
  9. I have always wanted to learn to knit, it looks relaxing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DL, so far I have found it to be so. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments!

      Delete
  10. That's is quite the tale (or yarn) you've been stringing us. And you've done fascinating work; your pictures show that. I hope you have lots more fun doing what you do, and get lots of enjoyment from what you produce.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!
    Bears Noting
    Life in the Urban Forest (my poetry blog)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rob-bear, Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments!

      Delete
  11. I've heard that knitting can be a calming activity. Good luck with making your blankets.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cynthia, that is what I like about it best! Thank you for stopping in and for your kind comments.

      Delete
  12. I must try knitting again, it is relaxing, so many things to do and never any time.

    #atozchallenge
    maggie at expat brazil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maggie, I have the same problem. However, I am making a point to find the time to do my loom these days because I enjoy it so. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments!

      Delete