Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Porch knitting

Lately, I've been getting together once a week with friends to spend the afternoon on a breezy porch knitting, talking and laughing. Could there be any better way to spend a summer afternoon? I sure don't think so. We usually start by having "show and tell" because we all like to share progress on our current project(s). Next comes confessional time---new books and/or yarn purchases..........not that this is part of any planned agenda. This get-together has just evolved into it's own little routine. And it's amazing how quickly those few hours slip by and how much knitting can be accomplished when you are enjoying the company of like-minded friends. Many months ago, my friend, Teresa, and I started a two person "knit-along" for the "Einstein Coat". Let's just say I lost momentum after knitting back and forth, back and forth, over and over again. Mine has been languishing, out of sight and out of mind, until last week, I realized that she was nearly finished with the bottom part of her coat, and ready for the next step. So, I got in on mine again and worked to catch up. At last week's porch knitting session, I got a lot of knitting done and the time just flew by. The "Einstein Coat" is the perfect project for knitting and talking at the same time, because the whole thing is long stretches of garter stitch. I, for one, am not capable of knitting any lace project in the presence of others. My brain simply can't count out a lace pattern and carry on a conversation at the same time without a train wreck happening. Believe me, I know this from experience! So, I stick to socks, plain stockinette, garter stitch, and maybe, if I'm feeling brave, something with a simple cable or mitered pattern.
You've got to love an activity that is useful, productive, creative and can be enjoyed in solitude or while socializing. Why there are women (and men) still out there who haven't discovered the joy of knitting, is beyond my comprehension.

And speaking of men knitting----two of my grandsons were here over the weekend and actually requested a knitting lesson! Can it get any better than that? Do I have a future brooklyntweed in my family? I can only hope!

4 comments:

  1. Oh, I love this! How wonderful for you to get together with like minded friends and just knit and talk.
    I am a person who has done cables, but who just cannot knit anything much more than garter stitch or stockinette while talking or watching something on t.v. And...I do have a two year old Einstein Coat on the needles in the back room. Shame on me. The last few days while listening to a book on tape, I have been mindlessly knitting my versions of sponges. Cotton garter knit "sponges" to replace the usual nasty real ones in the kitchen sink.I hate to admit it, but it has been fun. Small things amuse small minds!

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  2. I wish I was there to knit with you, too. That sounds so nice.

    Love that about the grandsons.

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  3. Ellen-you're welcome to join our knit-along!

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  4. Susan-Come on down anytime! We'll save a porch chair for you.

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