Thursday, October 22, 2009

Great Balls of Yarn

Okay, so I stole that adorable phrase from the store Great Balls of Yarn. I have decided to try knitting once again! My grandmother passed away when I was in eighth grade however, prior to her death, I spent at least one or two weeks per summer visiting her.

She was a fantastic lady, very classy. She was an English/grammar teacher, hence my impeccable ability to keep the words "like" and "um" out of my sentences and use the words "well" rather than "good" in certain instances (i.e. "I'm doing well, thank you"). I spefically remember one summer where I said "ooo, gross" and she made me look up the word in the dictionary as the way I used the term was not it's proper use. To this day, I say "disgusting" and use "gross" only when speaking about large sums of something. She also made me bring my un-studied lessons for a daily grammar tutorial (that was not fun!)

She played bridge, had weekly luncheons with the girls in which I'd tag along, and she knitted. She knitted several sweaters for me which unfortunately, I do not seem to have anymore. I really wish I did.

She taught me how to knit. I never made anything more exciting than a scarf, but it was something we did daily, especially during The Bold and the Beautiful (which my grandfather still watches to this day!) I specifically remember making a yellow scarf, my then favorite color. I haven't knitted since she died.

Last week I started reading The Friday Night Knitting Club and became inspired. I went to the Great Balls of Yarn store and fell in love. Who couldn't love walls and walls of beautifully colored, and extremely soft yarn!


I am having trouble remembering how to cast-on, but once I got that down, the rest was like riding a bike. Somehow I managed to add three extra stitches to my original 20, but hey, it's been years! I am looking forward to making a little scarf for Lallie and maybe eventually a sweater or two. Who knows - it's nice busy work for my hands while watching prime-time because once you get the hang of it, you don't even have to look at your hands.


Of course, I couldn't leave the preppy outfits out of this post! Who wouldn't love a cable-knit sweater to have on hand while playing golf using clubs covered in knitted socks! But I digress....



The best part about knitting, I'm remembering the time I spent with my grandma. I will cherish those moments forever.

7 comments:

  1. I LOVE this...I so want to learn how to knit. That store is gorgeous and I could get lost for hours in there. I can't wait to see what you whip up!

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  2. What a great hobby! I have wanteed to try knitting for a while myself.

    Your grandmother sounds like a wonderful lady!

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  3. I wish I did that or needlepoint but then what hand would hold my wine glass???? xoxo

    SC

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  4. I so wish I could knit or crochet! You are so talented!

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  5. Your grandmother sounds just wonderful, and that store looks heavenly!

    Smiles to you,
    tp

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  6. Oh how fun! I don't know how to knit, but can crochet and have a scarf I started a year ago and need to finish! Ha!

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  7. So happy my book inspired you to pick up knitting ~ sadly, it didn't have the same effect on me. My mother tried to teach me to knit when I was younger. It was not a pretty sight. We all have talents and this clearly isn't one of mine!

    Jo

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