Instant gratification
What does it for you? Is it a scoop of peanut butter straight from the jar at nine at night? A pithy few words shouted at the driver who cuts you off? For me, it’s a quick knitting project.
I’m a sock addict. But socks take a long time to make and, often, great concentration. So I was in the mood for something different when I visited my LYS, Iron Horse, yesterday. Actually, I was in the mood to knit a shrug. I don’t love making sweaters – they take a lot of time and rarely fit me right. But a shrug is only half a sweater. I figured I could use worsted weight yarn and finish it pretty fast. I had downloaded several patterns from Ravelry and took them to the store – and we did pick out fabulous yarn, Debbie Smith (owner of Iron Horse) and I. Naturally, the color I loved wasn’t worsted weight but a slightly lighter DK weight, but that was no problem. Debbie easily converted my chosen pattern to this. She’s great that way.
But then I spotted a moebius scarf on display. A moebius, by the way, is a one piece ring of knitting that twists, adding interest to a piece. Debbie took the sample off the wall, so I could see it close up. I picked out yarn, Pagewood Farm’s Swagger (the shade is Fabulous Fall), and added a pair of ChiaoGoo size 17 (yikes!) 24″ circulars. Debbie wrote out the pattern (easy easy easy) and wound the yarn. Then (treat of all treats) I took off my coat and started the scarf there and then, so that she could show me how to make the twist. I can’t believe how easy it was. I mean, how many times have I cast on to knit in the round and had to take care not to twist at the join? How many times have I mistakenly done it? This time, there was nothing mistaken about it. Deliberate and simple – a twist done once and c’est ça.
Those are my Valentines Day flowers, by the way. And I did buy the soft dove gray wool for the shrug (photo below). I’ll start it this weekend. Because the moebius is fast. What you see above is half, which I did last night. I should finish tonight. Instant gratification? For a knitter, that’s as close as you get.
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Hello Barbara!
My name is Barbara, I’m eighteen and I live in Brazil, in an the quiet hot little town called Ituiutaba. I love your work and talent and the few books that I had the chance to read are wonderful. My favorite is with love and affection. I am also a writer and I’m learning a lot with your books. I’m your big fan. I hope anxious for his books in our library here, in my city. Thanks for reading and Sorry for my english, I’m try to learn… May God protect you. Kisses.
Barbara Lucia.
I was going to answer “my fist sip of tea in the morning” as nothing else that follows it is quite as good, but then I saw your peanut butter comment and thought “oh, yeah!”. Love the colors for your scarf and when I’m in that part of Massachusetts, I hope to visit Iron Horse – I love a good yarn shop too!
Question: I’ve always wanted to knit socks, but am worried after all the work, they won’t stay up. Is there a trick?
Regards,
Eileen
My two tricks to keeping socks up, Eileen? (1) Do at least an inch of 1X1 or 2X2 ribbing at the top. This draws in the yarn so that it clings. (2) Don’t knit them too tall. At least then there’s less to fall. 🙂
J’ai beaucoup aime ton livre “Escape”.Malheureusement je ne trouive pas en Roumanie d’autres livres, mais je suis aatentive sur Facebook concernanat tes paroles/faits/infos sur toi.J’aime ton style, la modalite moderne de construire les personnages, la phrase, l’action qui est tres dynamique.J’aime la fin pozitif, tres importante dans notre societe.J’aime bien comme tu presentes l’action, comme tu mantiens la curiosite, le nombre de personnages tres bien equilibre pour ne pas agglomerer et detourner de l’autre cote l’attention du lecteur..Tue ssublime, tu es magnifique .
Toujours prete ici lire tes nouveautes.
Avec tout mon affection !Carmen
Carmen, thanks so much for your note! I was able to translate most of it myself! I agree with so many of your points, especially the happy ending. SO important in our society. BTW, for those of you who don’t know French, Carmen’s note was more complimentary than I truly deserve. Again, Carmen, my thanks!
Instant gratification is seeing my grandchildren…and getting hugs and kisses. Little ones are so sincere.
Knitting … not exactly instant gratification but instead on-going gratification as the pattern develops. I came upon a pattern for a cabled scarf that looks identical from both sides. It intrigued me, so I used some spare yarn and started making one. And yes, it looks the same on both sides. Pretty, pretty neat!
Can you share the source of that pattern, Anne? It wasn’t an iris Schreier, was it?
I love to tell people I love YOU. I was going thru a toll booth, forgot my Ezipath box I loaned my daughter.
I told the person in the both I loved him and started to pull away when he yelled STOP. I stuck my head out of my window to see tears in his eyes and he asked be to repeat what I said. I did and he told me He had NOT heard those three loving words in a long time and thanked me. So I continue to tell people I love them and get such gratification from peoples reactions. Most of the time it is I love you too. I smile and my heart feels warm and I am happy again!!
I love you Barbara and your writing is my escape to inner love!! Hilary
I love you, too, Hilary! (You’re right; that felt really, really good!)
Ah, I’m with you on the knitting thing. I’ve only been knitting ‘seriously’ for about 5 years, but it has to be the most soothing, calming activity. I got through the worst of the earthquakes we’ve had over the last 18 months, by knitting. So yes, a quickly completed project definitely does it for me! 😀 In other news, my copy of “Suddenly” arrived this morning. Having a hard time putting it down!!
Loved the picture you posted on Facebook, Melissa! You are such a loyal friend!
Probably figuring out a computer problem (or any technical device) without having to make a “HELP” call to my adult children!!