Comments on: And the Wind Screams: ‘Knitting!’

By: Shelley

Shelley — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:39:51 +0000

Hello Marion! I’m new here having just finished reading The Memoir Project. I’m a knitter and it’s true there is something about the fall air that brings on the knitting. I’m making two doll sweaters and a bunny for my little girl and I just finished a snake for my youngest son! Some day I may knit for myself! (I long to make my own sweater)

By: marionroach

marionroach — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:35:51 +0000

Hello, Mary Elizabeth. What a joy it is to read you here again on TSP.
This is a breathtaking tribute to knitting, and should be required reading for anyone who knits, is thinking about knitting, or has never considered knitting. Read up, sisters: Here is your call to the needles. I particularly love the recommendations of the movies, the seating, and the tea that go along with this, as well as the prescriptive assignment of what will come to you if you follow these simple instructions. Thank you, sister. This is a gorgeous piece of emotional tapestry all on its own.

By: Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:25:13 +0000

Just when I am missing my New England autumn and all the people I left there more than I think I can stand, here comes And the Wind Screams: ‘Knitting!’ (http://thesisterproject.com/roach/and-the-wind-screams-knitting/) and I am reminded by a true sister-friend how I can get back home.
Wool.
The smell, the ‘hand’, the colors, the possibilities and all the memories of projects past. All serve as vivid reminders of who I was for so long and who I still am and always will be. No matter where I go.
When I read the Sister Project post on the 15th, I dropped everything and hauled out my stash. (It’s not what it used to be and that is a good thing.) I have two projects at hand – one is an almost finished entrelac bag, to be felted someday. That can wait. The other is a pullover vest – an homage to the Prince of Wales who popularized Fair Isle knitting in the 1920s by having his portrait painted in a natty slip over. (Find the pattern in Folk Vests by Cheryl Oberle.) It calls for seven moor-inspired colors of 2-ply Shetland wool and size 2 needles. That’s the one I choose. I know that ‘big knits’ are trendy for their simplicity and speed, but to me they will always feel awkward, cumbersome, and downright unpleasant. If I need a sweater in a hurry, I buy one and I suggest everyone do the same. For me, a knitting project is like a fine book – enjoyable every time I pick it up and I never look forward to finishing it, because I know I’ll miss it when I’m through with it.
My advice to novice knitters is to remove all expectations of producing a wearable garment in a reasonable amount of time. It will happen eventually, by accident, and be all the more thrilling because you didn’t see it coming. No, knit for your senses. Please your eyes with the colors, your hands with the texture and your ears with the rhythm, unique as a fingerprint, of your own clacking needles. If you’re knitting at home, occupy a cozy chair or sofa with a hot cup of tea nearby . Find a film with Maggie Smith, Emma Thompson and/or Joan Plowright on the tube and you will know comfort and peace . . . for however many sweet minutes you are able to make it last. Lap it up and remember to return when you can.
So, the wool is on my lap and the needles are in my hands. There’s a geranium leaf in my teapot and I am conjuring the sight and smell of a New England autumn – one of the sweetest things I know. Thank you, Marion. You’ve done it again. Love to you.

By: marionroach

marionroach — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:31:54 +0000

Hey, TexasDeb: Ooooooh, vicarious knitting. I like this idea. If we are in a sisterhood-and we are-whatever one of us knits, the others of us are kind of knitting as well. I think it’s a great idea. Though I do think that anyone who can knit two prayer shawls (how marvelous; how absolutely wonderful) can knit anything at all. Knit along with us, sister, any way you choose. You’re always welcome. Hope to see you here again soon.

By: TexasDeb

TexasDeb — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:58:54 +0000

This summer I spent lots of time knitting (an unfortunate amount of that on the front end pulling out and reknitting) two prayer shawls I sent to the national meeting of the denomination where I hang my church hat.

I put those needles away with no little relief and picked back up paint brushes, but there is no comparable cozy bit at the end of the day about having painted. I mean, you can spend some time picking paint specks off from around your fingernails…but that doesn’t compare to a puddle of wool in the lap and the satisfaction of holding something up now measurably more finished than when you picked it up.

Problem is, in order to knit anything other than the shawls, I’ll have to Learn. Something Else. New!!! Some days that sounds great, most days I think I’ll stick with what I know. Perhaps I have summer doldrum hangover. Whatever, that makes it extra nice to follow along here with you sisters who are definitely non doldrummy!

By: marionroach

marionroach — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:06:39 +0000

Hi, Amy: And welcome to TSP, where we may be fair-weather knitters, but never fair-weather sisters. We’re glad to have you here. How dare they indeed have a baby in June. The nerve! Harrrumphhh. Yes, I too love seeing someone wear what I’ve knit. I have a 90-year-old friend who, whenever I visit, puts on the green socks I knit him, and while I adore him for many reasons, this is the most recent. Please keep coming back. We love our knitty/crafty sisters.

By: Amy

Amy — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:50:53 +0000

Ah, Fall. Lovely time of year! I’m a yearlong knitter, but it sure feels better to have a ball of warm yarn in your lap when it’s cold out, that’s for sure. I was braving the heat of the summer with a baby blanket on my lap, and it was not comfortable, let me tell you. My relatives have some nerve having a baby in JUNE! ;0) I am an ADD knitter: I keep to small projects for the most part because I get bored with the bigger ones more often than not. Now is the time that I start really enjoying knitting those hats, scarves and mitts. Because people start wearing them. And my greatest joy is seeing someone actually USING an item I lovingly created for them. Sigh. It’s a great time of year!

By: marionroach

marionroach — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:31:20 +0000

Hi, Estyn. What a gorgeous name. Ooooh: Combining two things I love--jewelry and knitting. Nice. Sweet, in fact. I'm on it. Thanks so much for pointing that out to all of us here at TSP. Make sure you see Sister Paige's knitting poem which, while slightly deranged, is also about getting out the needles right now. It's here, and it's a joy. Please keep coming back. We love our sisters to visit.

By: Estyn

Estyn — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:52:52 +0000

I just knitted a wire beaded bracelet available as a kit (http://knitkitjewelry.com). A very fun project. Now I’m ready for something soft and chunky. And my wood stove.

By: marionroach

marionroach — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:35:03 +0000

Hi, Amy. Lovely to read you here again at TSP. Ah, the old laughter-to-envy curve of life. Know it well myself. Never too late to knit, though. Keep coming back, please. We’ll just be here, hoping you’ll give knitting a spin.