I tried to show Lewis and Clark around town but it didn't work out quite as I had planned. We took them to a corn maze on Saturday morning. I thought they would be a great help in finding our way through the maze but they didn't want to get out of the car. I think the Brownies running around outside kind of intimidated them. This year's maze was in the shape of the American flag but it was easier than last year since the wind storm of last weekend kind of blew many of the corn stalks over. But it was fun being outside and it turned into a beautiful day.
The next day I thought I could take them to see Flicka but had to veto that idea when my husband came along, He really doesn't get the whole blogging thing and definitely doesn't understand the bond between us fiber addicted folks. He would definitely believe I was over the edge if I were to take a picture of a box sitting in a seat at the movie theater. Anyway, it was an excellent movie. I can highly recommend it but if you get teary (like me...), remember to bring along your hankie. There were a few spots where the tears were flowing.
Oh, and is this my fault??? A mom I know a little asked me if I would teach her daughter how to knit. They see me at gymnastics practice and a few other places and I usually have fiber and needles in hand. Of course I agreed and when she asked what to get, I specifically informed her to get a pair of needles in a larger size (at least 10 or so) and a skein of smooth WOOL. You know, nothing that has anything hanging off of it. Something basic. I explained that this was important as it would be easier to see the stitches, fix mistakes and just be able to see what was going on. Yesterday at gymnastics practice they show up and the girl brings out what she had bought - a set of large needles and a skein of friggin' chenille. Because it was soft. In dark blue. I can't even make out the stitches. But I showed her and got her started. The mom had mentioned that she used to knit but didn't remember. Do you think the mom stayed around so that maybe she could help her daughter when she got stuck at home? I'll let you answer that question. Anyway, I told the girl to keep practicing and bring it back to gymnastics practice on Wednesday afternoon. She seemed to get it although we kept on ending up with extra stitches on each row. All I'm saying is that it would have been much easier with some basic wool.
5 comments:
Good for you. I gave knitting lessons this weekend to a friend's 9 yo daughter and mom asked if she could learn too. Of course I agreed. The further I can spread the knitting insanity the happier I am. I started with the same instructions for supplies that you did, but then modified it in an email to the dad. Size 8US bamboo needles and a skein of Patons Classic Merino in any color other than black or white, but preferably something mid-range. They showed up with a light blue and a light grey. By the end of the hour, they could both cast on and knit. Next lesson will be purling. There were definite additional stitches being picked up as the stitches weren't being dropped before the next one made. That's pretty standard newbie behavoir.
I think you were very patient in working with the chenille. I would have broken the news to the girl that chenille has a tendency to break so she would have to take extra care.
=:8
Basic wool in a light color. But nice of you to forge ahead anyway.
I ran into the same problem with non knitting bloggers when I was posing my UF shawl at the Smithsonian museums. They just don't understand us. (and that was family members)
I knit in public quite a bit and when people ask me to make them something or to teach them to knit, I tell them they have to come shopping with me. That way I make sure they get the right thing.
I just went through something similar when a friend told me she had tried her first knitting project ... chunky boucle yarn knit on size 6 needles. I sent her a better (read: smoother) beginner scarf wool and two sets of needles ... size 10.5 and size 13. She called me yesterday to exclaim over how much easier it was.
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