I reckon we could be in the running for one of those rare-as-hens’-teeth, short and snappy, Myrtle and Eunice posts. There is no story to weave in to the latest crafting escapade, no fly by the seat of the pants parenting disaster. There is only pure, unadulterated, stitch by knitty stitch repetition, the odd bit of unknitting, then knitting again.
Ishbel isn’t so very difficult, but she isn’t waiting-for-the-gymnast, or playing-Connect Four-with-the-Middle-(who does not subscribe to any fast game is a good game! theory)-while-the-youngest-sits-on-my-head, craft. Slippery needles and Eki Riva Alpaca 4ply and the fact that I’m up to the lace bit requires some application.
Ishbel is all the things I love about knitting: the textures, the hard-yards process. So far, for me, sewing is about reaching the finishing line relatively unscathed. But knitting is all about the bit between A and B.
It’s only about the making.
See a whole lot more space-making via Kirst’s place...
37 comments:
What a beautiful pattern and colour you are using.
If I knew how to knit I am sure I would be nodding along in agreement about the pleasant journey (but frankly it scares the pants off me).
Look forward to seeing the finished shawl.
... looks lovely as always and good to see you continuing the why- use-one- word- when - ten -are- better school of writing, which I love of course otherwise i wouldn't keep reading..
It is beautiful. I think with knitting you really do need to enjoy the process as it consumes so much time where sewing is kind of instant gratification. Your book will be with you soon too, small vomity child has limited trips to po this week.
great that you are enjoying the process - it largely just does my impatient head in... That beautiful chartreuse yarn is one of my favourite coloursxx
oh..me...oh..my...its BEAUTIFUL!!! Can't wait to see the results!! xx
It's perfection, I love the color too.
Your Ishbel looks beautiful! I'm about to cast on...should I be nervous? x
Sounds hypnotic and looks amazing. Dreamy photo's...xo
It looks beautiful, such a nice colour choice as well. I have been thinking about knitting for some time - inspired by patterns like this. I seem to have a bit of stage fright, really want to enjoy it I should just jump in especially after seeing your ishbel
Gorgeous yarn! I cna't wait to see it finished.
Oooh that looks beautiful and intriguing at the same time.
What great photos!
Your playing-with-the-kids routine sounds very similar to my own. Imagine a playdate with the two of us. :)
oooh, it looks complicated, lovely though and the colour is divine
I think it sounds like just what you need at the moment, calming, soothing reassuring and beautiful.
Can't wait to see the finished project xo
So gorgeous and I so agree with you... but I feel that way about crochet and sewing. Crochet is a beautiful meditative process for me that does feel a lot like actually meditating, only with counting instead of a mantra ;) And sewing is a slow shift of playing with shape, colour and texture combinations and then a sew-a-bit and look-at-for-a-bit and then sew-a-bit dance till the never-quite-happy-with-it finish line! Sewing makes me want to play with it all and always modify ideas forever... maybe that's a different way of saying how you feel, but I like it ;) Really loving your knittery Tania and your colour choice is just divine :) Kx
Funny, my sewing sounds kinda like your sewing, and yet I think once I reach the end I do a bit of revisionist history and decide that I DID enjoy the journey. I wish I could find the zen of knitting. I love, LOVE how it sounds. Just about the making.
Stunning pics Tania. Tres jealous of your skill.
I took your advice and am trying my hand at some wee baby knitting (typically in the sleepless pre dawn hours).
So far it's taken me about 5 days to knit 5 rows with about 5 unexplained holes!?!?
Will keep looking here for inspiration of how good it can get (apparently!).
xo
Beautiful! I too love Ishbel, and am currently working on Ishbel 2, albeit for most of this year.
Rita
It looks beautiful, love the colour...
Amazing what you can accomplish with a child on your head. Looks gorgeous, can't wait to see the end result!
Love the colour yarn you're using. Those photos are great as well.
Enjoy that journey and get that kid off your head before you hurt your neck :o)
Sounds like you need some meditational knitting after all the kid clothing dramas and skirt ripping off of late. Lovely pictures you have taken too.
And I think there is a real integrity in that.
The photos as always, gorgeous
That green! Its perfect - sort of olive with a touch of yellowy green! And the photos are beautiful, as always :-)
I think you must be knitting in your sleep you're so fast, hmm?!
Ooh that's going to look gooood!
So you are a 'process knitter'. I think I am too in that I *hate* sewing up. Sewing, with fabric, I love. Sewing, with knitted thingies, no thank you. Picking up stitches and sewing in ends is the worst.
Ishbel is a shawl? In one colour, so should be few ends and no picking up, you are a crafty one!
Lovely photos as always.
I find the best thing is to have several thing on the needles and pick up the one that suits the concentration level. Or lack of concentration level.
Cheers,
AJ
The bit in the middle. Yes, yes, yes.
(& no cheating WHATSOEVER)
Love it..yep it is just about the process, I keep telling myself that when I frog, unpick, frog, unpick.....
Kate and I are about to try this one...hopefully my post-baby-brain will be able to cope with the pattern...I'll be off to Sunspun tomorrow for a wee bit of yarn shopping...
xt
I needed that little knitting pick-me-up. I started on a much more difficult project last night (for me)- the boyfriend hat for my hubby. After 3 rows I think I need to start again. I got very annoyed and kept forgetting which part of the pattern I had just done. I will persevere. Love the shots- the light looks angelic. xo m.
Looking so good... love the colour of the yarn. Look forward to seeing the end result.
i have total knitting-skill envy...beautiful photos...& of course had a giggle at your words...i love visiting you!
melissa x
Gorgeous gorgeous colour! You make knitting sound so therapeutic... And I hear you on the smalls not subscribing to the a 'quick game is a good game' - mine are just the same. Hope you keep enjoying the process. :)
I love lacey knitting in dark colours , very Adams Family .... in a good way , not a scurrying hand way !
those pictures are so comforting, somehow.
Agreed. I think that's why very often knitting takes over when I'm stressed. There's something soothing in the making.
A wonderful process indeed. And a beautiful colour.
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