Guest Post: Melissa’s Scarf

My most frequent commenter is also a knitter and general crafter as well as a very old friend of mine. Her name’s Melissa (left). Recently she showed me her first finished knitting project, described below, and I thought hey - it’s not all about me, right? No, seriously, it’s really awesome to see others’ projects and see the joy they get out of making (and finishing!) things. Maybe Melissa will send us a picture of her mother wearing the scarf later, eh? Without further ado, I present:

Melissa and the Scarf

When Miriam asked me to contribute a guest entry on my first knitting project, I hemmed and hawed like crazy. I’m very much a beginning knitter, and I don’t have a ton of confidence in my skills yet. But considering my limited abilities at this point, I was delighted with how my first project– a soft heathered-blue scarf I knitted for my mom (shown right)– turned out.

I’m more or less a “dabbler” when it comes to crafts. Since childhood, I’ve tried on different crafts, looking to fulfill a longstanding desire to, well, create. But I’ve often abandoned projects after starting them, or become frustrated and quit before getting good at something. You name it, I’ve tried it through the years – crochet, cross stitch, puff painting T-shirts, stamps, acrylics, calligraphy, needlepoint. I still haven’t finished a cross-stitch kit I bought in 1994! So learning how to knit, and actually completing a project, gave me quite a sense of triumph. And with knitting, I think I’ve found the crafting hobby (or at least one of the crafting hobbies) that suits me best.

I didn’t know how to go about tackling my first project. After mastering the knits and purls and practicing ribbing, seed stitching and other techniques, I knew it was time to complete something. But I was afraid of attempting to read knitting instructions. I taught myself to knit left-handed, and I still don’t understand completely how to translate patterns for a lefty. (That’s a confusing endeavor I’ll have to embark upon as I go). A friend and fellow knitter suggested I keep it simple and just use the most basic stitch there is – the garter stitch – to make an uncomplicated scarf. No pattern, just knitting until the scarf seemed long enough, then binding off.

I chose a bulky yarn that is quickly becoming my favorite for projects – Lions’ Brand Homespun yarn, for this project in Blue Sky. The yarn is so silky, easy to work with, and has subtle color variations that I just love. I used large, size 17 needles, and because of the bulky yarn and the big needles the scarf was done in record time.

I haven’t given the scarf to my mom yet, because I completed it in August, and my mother lives in Houston, Texas. (She won’t need a scarf until at least November). But I’m so excited for her to wear it, and now I want to give knitted things to everyone! Friends, beware – scarves, bags, blankets and even tea cozies might be coming your way.

I’ve heard many people describe knitting as a meditative practice – a technique to calm the mind, its rhythmic needle-flicking and yarn-wrapping soothing the soul. It’s true for me, and I need more of that calmness in my life.

So now I’m already at work on my next project, a baby blanket for my friend’s little girl. And once again I’m using Homespun yarn, this time in Lemonade (such a pretty, sunny yellow!) It’s going to take awhile to finish. But I’m addicted to the pretty yarn, and to knitting in general. I think this hobby is a keeper.