Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Playing Solo in Harmony

I seriously can't believe how long it's been since I've blogged. It's a shame, really, and I truly wish I could say I'll be better about it in the future, but I don't want to make a promise I know I will have difficulty keeping. I guess the fact is in the spare time I do have, I want to spend it knitting instead of talking about knitting. But I want to be able to help build something bigger than just the project on my needles; I hope that in the knitting world, I can contribute something to add to the community of knitters and the world of knitting.
I do love listening to other people talk about knitting, though. And I've been doing so much of it lately. As you might know, I have a long commute--a total of three hours a day, which, whenever I can, I use for knitting. But why not add to that? I have ears as well as eyes that can be filled with knitting. And so I have started listening to podcasts. I LOVE the fact that I can bring knitters from all over to the seat next to me on the train, so to speak. I love listening to them feel guilty about how big their stashes are, how many projects they're currently working on, how many projects they want to start. I love listening to them talk about frogging whole pieces, and struggling with counting stitches, and all the other whims and woes of knitting. To tell the truth, I have been a solo knitter for most of my life. My best friend wanted to learn to knit out of a book, and I thought that I would like to learn, too. It's something I had always thought intriguing. And soon after we started, she stopped. So I forged on alone. I eventually found out that I knitted differently than everyone else--my stitches move from left to right on my needles. And I was embarrassed to let any knitters see that. I've tried to knit the "right" way, but I don't mind being a knitting heretic as long as my projects turn out alright in the end, and they usually do. But I can't tell you how long it took me to realize that I have to knit lace patterns in reverse (and obviously cable charts as well). I also have to admit that it was impossible for me to learn how to knit through the back loop simply because I had always knit through the back loop and I couldn't possible go any farther back. Go figure. Thanks to knitting in the round where no one could see my uneven stitches!
Back to the point, though:
I have indeed gotten over my fear of letting others see my heretical knitting, and I joined the Tokyo Stitch and Bitch! Everyone should have a knitting group. How great it is just get together with a bunch of other knitters and crocheters and just do what we do with complete acceptance and understanding. And frankly, I've never met a knitter (or crocheter) I didn't like. Well, almost never. Perhaps it's the endless hours of quiet a knitter spends thinking over miles of stockinette. Or maybe it's the understanding that being a part of knitting means you are part of a heritage stretching back over generations--it's humbling to think about how we are each a stitch in the fabric of history, each of us somehow adding to its texture. It is, for me, a reminder of my small but meaningful place in the midst of all this.
Anyway, podcasts. What a great way to fill our ears with news of new patterns and yarns, old and new knitting techniques and problems, and just the day to day lives of people just like us, with the same interests, motivations, and frustrations. So here are some of the ones I have been listening to every day:
The Knit Wits Carin and Rick's hilarious repartee always cheers me up!
Sticks and String This Australian bloke who knits is efficient, organized, interesting, and awesome!
KnitCents There is never a bad time to save money to spend more on yarn!
Stitch It!! Meghan is a great lady--I love listening to her stories about knitting and her "little man"
The Knitmore Girls Every time I listen to this mother-daughter team I get jealous that my mom doesn't knit!
Knitting Pipeline I love listening to Paula--she has great stories and I always feel like I'm listening to a wizened grandmother telling stories to her kids and grandkids.
The Knit Picks Podcast Kelley Petkun has the most soothing voice. I always feel relaxed while I'm listening (and knitting) to her.

This seems like a long list, doesn't it? Well, maybe I'm a little crazy... I do have a long commute during which I can listen, though. And why not? What could be nicer that listening to great knitters, anyway? Especially if you don't have a knitting community around you, or if you are just KIP-shy, it's a great way to keep connected!

Next time I post, I'll fill you in on all the projects I've been working on, which have been many!