Finding My Knit-ch

I am not a knitter, but I am such a wanna-be knitter! My sister knits wonderful projects while she talks to me on the phone, and I read Tammy's knitting posts and so wish I could be a part of the knitting world. So many knitting blogs out there and so little creative know-how on my part!

This week I visited a new yarn shop, appropriately named On the Lamb, looking for a hard-to-locate set of five double-pointed needles in size 2. The shop was in an old, two-story, in-the-process-of-being-renovated Victorian home, which actually used to be a halfway house for those on the lam. Joe, the shop owner, greeted me as I walked in. That's Joe as in Joseph--not Jo as in Josephine. I think I was expecting a little old lady who would have time to sit down and show me how to cast stitches on the double-pointed needles (which Joe found for me immediately).

Joe was enthusiastic about his shop and seemed to know all there was to know about knitting, various yarns and the numerous companies that make them, and even dying your own strands. I know this because he was very friendly and wanted to share it all with me--quite interesting actually.

He offered coffee and invited me to relax in one of several wicker chairs cozily nestled in groupings for knitters. He sat as well and asked to glance at the Square-Along pattern I had brought with me. As I made myself at home while he brought out beautiful skeins of yarn for me to view, I wondered to myself, "What in the world am I doing here? I am so out of my league! Why isn't my sister who knows the language of knitting here to translate for me?"

The prices of the cashmere and other wonderful yarns Joe showed me were not quite the 40%-off-with-my-trusty-Michael's-coupon yarns I've bought in the past. In fact, when he asked me where I shopped for yarn, it was a little embarrassing to mention the chain stores instead of some quaint little yarn shop with all the latest expensive skeins on their shelves. Joe suggested I might like to visit Rocktown Yarns in Harrisonburg, which I just might check into...when my sister visits.

We walked outside to the wrap-around porch, and he showed me where to park in back on my next visit and even pointed out his rosemary plant and told me anyone was welcome to snip some anytime.

I left with the needles but no yarn. The Opal sock yarn, one of the yarns recommended, was available in the mocha color family and was $20+. That's probably a little high to buy just to knit a 7" square (which I've yet to learn to do) to mail off in hopes of being selected for the book to be published. Seeing as the deadline is February 1st, would I finish and mail it in time?

Me and my wild ideas. But who knows...I may go back and buy the yarn. It was pretty and so soft, and maybe one day I'll learn how to knit socks. Plus, I'd like to snip a piece of that rosemary.

~Deb

Comments

[lisa]

What an unusual yarn shop experience. I think you live a charmed life. :) I gave up knitting. I could not will myself to stop gripping the needles for dear life and it was causing me some new pains. I do still like to crochet, although I've yet to correctly follow a pattern.

Please let Sarah know that I really love her blanket. I've been meaning to do a quilt with those sort of edges for the boys' rooms.

[Cindi]

What a wonderful shop! I learned to knit socks just a couple of years ago. We have a great knitting store here - Needle in the Square. I don't go there often because I just can't afford that yarn. I do desire to though! It feels wonderful! I found some yarn on sale at JoAnn's for $1.50 a skein. It is a chenille type and I am knitting a shawl right now.

[Susan]

You and me both, Deb! I would love to learn to knit, but haven't the faintest idea how to even start. And I don't think I could pay that much for a skein of yarn, either!

When Beth and I were taking our cake decorating courses, a knitting class came in and asked if they could just use a corner of the room. There was a man in that group. He wasn't effeminate at all, great big guy, but Beth was just totally thrown off by a MAN knitting! LOL

[Tammy S.]

Oh, but it looks like you're on your way to being a great knitter! It sounds like you found a great shop!

[Donna]

I think it's great you're trying so hard! I would have felt out of my league in a lovely shop like that as well. I'm so glad you blogged about your visit!

[Elise]

I could just picture you - because I would have felt the same way!
I, too, wish I could knit, and just might try to one of these days!

[Dorothy]

Sounds like an interesting experience, Deb! I haven't tried to knit yet...I'd like to learn. Sarah was knitting squares for her blanket today. She is a lefty knitter and knits lightening fast and perfectly, too. Amazes me! Good luck getting going again! :-)