Frustration

Ok, so this is not a knitting blog but I can't use my regular outlet for all things.

Today was most frustrating. I had an automotive issue and was left stranded over an hour away from home in the blazing heat with both kids. The Mr. was at work. It dawned on me....I have no friends. This is something I already knew and joked about but it really hit me hard today when I just knew there was nobody to call. Nobody to help. Such a bad feeling to know that you're all alone. I broke down and just cried.

Lack of friendship isn't something I sought out. To a degree it is I suppose but it's more about the idea that I've attempted to be selective. I want to be friends with someone who shares my thoughts, ideas, values, sense of humor etc. I've always found it hard to open up to people, to trust. I also never felt it was fair to begin a friendship with someone when I couldn't devote the time to nurture that friendship. As a result of all my careful planning I'm just without friends. I have people who call me friend. I have people I call my friends. When it boils down to it though, a friend is someone who would be there for you if you called. The people I know wouldn't. This doesn't make them bad people. Just uninvested.

I'd rather spend my time with my husband and kids but I do want more than that. I want a friend. I've recently reached out to someone I thought I would like to befriend. I thought she wanted a friendship as well but my calls go unanswered, my messages go unreturned and how long should I have to try? It shouldn't just be me making all the effort.

Call me stubborn but I want a mutual friendship and not a one sided deal.

Completion

So I've finished my first knitting project. It's not a perfect piece but I can tell the improvement along the way. I, more importantly, understand the purpose of the stitches when increasing and when decreasing now. That could be a useful bit of info for further knitting, eh?

The knitting class lady suggested I repeat the project with the remaining yarn only on a smaller version for more practice before moving on to the next project. She said it looked really good though and was much better than most anyone else she's assisted on their first project. Go me!

So I began the diminutive repeat and I gotta say that it's even a vast improvement over the first piece thus far. I'm about ready to move on!

Day 2--Wool? Maybe cotton

Today I went to my first knitting lesson. I've crocheted before and I've attempted to knit in the past while following a youtube video instructional. Self-teaching is not a strong suit of mine so I failed.

The lady at the yarn store was able to teach me and was patient while I attempted to cast on with 9 thumbs and an index finger. I am currently knitting my first project: a washcloth. Cotton. Pink. I'm picking up the concept slowly and I think I'm losing a thumb or two in the process as I become more capable. The knitting lady said I picked it up faster than anyone she's ever taught. That makes me feel pretty good. I don't know that a washcloth is a useful item in the knitted world. I've never used a knitted rag for bathing...or dishes. The concept is designed to teach me to knit, yarn over and something else that I've currently forgotten but I think it involves dropping a stitch.

So, attached is a picture of the work I accomplished in my session this morning. I will go back tomorrow and I hope to proudly display the progress of my work done outside of her presence.

Day 1 Wooly Me

My sister, Lindsay (www.kybabyknits.com) is quite skilled in the wool working business. She began by knitting longies and soakers when she had her first daughter. She knitted hats and some other things before moving on to actually dying her own yarn. She's since expanded further into that field and does pretty well. She doesn't knit as much as she used to, in favor of dying wool but it's equally creative and the results are stunning.

I've recently suggested that we make it a joint venture and asked if I could help her dye the solid colors. She's also interested in dying roving or fiber. Our joint venture is a work in progress but I recently completed my first project for her cause. I'm hoping that it shows what I might be capable of and I hope that I did it right. It looks beautiful in my opinion but until she has it in her hands I'm just gonna be a little unsure of whether or not I've done good.

I'll attach some photos of my first endeavor

I purchased 2 lbs of 64 count merino top/ecru/undyed stuff for .90/ ounce. I think it's a fair price.

I divided it up into approximately 4.3 ounce bundles (skeins? hanks? don't know the correct terminology yet). I tried a couple of different methods--stovetop, crockpot, modified crockpot. The results of each process were different but equally pleasing and displayed above. I'm curious now how they will turn out when a patient woman spins them into yarn. I selfishly want to hang onto them and spin them my self. I suppose I could do that. I went to a store in town that I didn't know existed. They have all my local needs for information and support. They question me and what I have because I'm unsure what I have. I'm really an idiot in this arena. Usually I hate being the one who is ignorant but I kinda like it right now.

Tomorrow I'm going to attend my first ever knitting class. I'm going in with low expectations. I just want to knit some socks...maybe some pants for the baby. And hats, definitely hats...and throws. I don't want much. I am, however, excited about something new. I'm searching desperately for something I can do that will help support my family without me having to earn money from a full time job outside the home. I just wanna take care of my kids. It's that simple.

So, if you plan on seeing what I have going on or following my progress please sign up for a subscription! Wish me luck.