Do all bloggers wonder if they really have anything worth writing? While it seems an act of deep narcissism to publish one's thoughts, the drive to put digits to keyboard overtakes the hesitation. So, here I am. One of the biggest reason for me to start these conversational ramblings is that I get to post links to other blogs and websites I really like. I am not wholly comfortable with the notion that this is all about me. I am mostly an other-oriented soul. So the thought of sharing ideas about knitting is the core of my desire. How did you learn to knit? I taught myself to knit, from a book. When I was 11 and in the hospital getting my tonsils out, my grandmother (who didn't knit, although she crocheted) brought me a gift. It was a kit to knit a sweater for a Barbie doll. It was a tough project and it turned out pretty terrible. But it helped me connect with classmates who knit. They offered me advise on improving my skills while at a pajama party. That was the beginning! By the time I was in high school, I was knitting scarves and afghans. Not knowing about the Curse of the Knit Sweater for Your Boyfriend, I knit an afghan for my first boyfriend, and a sweater for my boyfriend in college. These gifts were, in fact, offered not long before both breakups!
I dabbled for a while with a sweater "machine". It was interesting. I enjoyed the mechanical working of it, but wasn't really crazy about the results. I got really excited a few years ago when I discovered knitting in the round. Never went back to that machine, and soon after sold it with all its accoutrements on ebay. I knew I would never go back.