Well after all the excitement of the last few days re Helen's book we are now calming down and my mind is turning to quieter things and, in this case, this is knitting.
I used to do a huge amount of knitting and quite complicated stuff too. I knitted an Aran cardie for my ex years ago and every time I looked at it I simply could not believe I had actually done it. I emailed him last week and asked if he still had it, as he never throws anything out I was pretty sure he would, and asked if he could get his wife to take pics and send them to me which he duly did. I am showing these below as I honestly think this is the highlight of my knitting career such as it was. When my historian Helen saw the pics she said 'Mum did you really knit this?" and when I replied in the affirmative said 'but it looks as if a professional has done it'. I felt smug.
I have not knitted for around thirty years and then a few months ago Florence wanted some leg warmers and asked if I could knit her a pair. I thought why not, measured her leg, width and length and then checked out a few patterns online and started knitting. She was pleased with them and though there are a few dropped stitches here and there I was quite pleased with them. Emboldened by this I then knitted a cowl from a kit which a good friend gave me. It was moss stitch and though there are the odd few rows in here where I did one row too many so that we have a bit of rib in the middle, again it was good for me just to practice.
The other pics show a grey jumper which has quite a history. I think I started this back in the eighties, the knitting pattern has a very glam Susan Hampshire on the front, and for some reason gave up on it as I was busy. My mum told me to give it to her and she would finish it for me so I did. Then I forgot about it and so did she and it was not until 2010 when she died and I was clearing out her flat that I came across it, front and back done and first sleeve just started. So I brought it home and finished it. However, the sleeves are of their time and huge and like a blouse and I know I am not going to wear it like this. It is beautifully soft and warm and not too heavy and I am determined to wear it, so I am now unpicking the sleeves and will knit them straighter. I will let you know how I get on.
Desperate Reader over on her blog writes about how she has taken up knitting so do read her post. I have exactly the same book as she has and am checking out the stitches etc and will be practicing with squares etc. So be prepared for more knitting posts in the future.
You must admit I lead an exciting life......
