Sometimes the simplest of events, situations, circumstances, problems … whatever … can provide valuable lessons and my current knitting project is no different.
After a rough end to the work-day, I came home a little fatigued, a little close to tears and all around frustrated. My newest character building mantra however is to leave negative work experiences at the door once I arrive outside my apt building. I’m working harder to make my living space a peaceful space and that’s one of the things I can do to make it so. Leave work baggage outside … shucks, it’ll be there when I get to work tomorrow anyway … why bring it home?
Once I got inside, I was a little lost at what to do to de-stress. Silly me, knitting makes almost everything better so I picked up my needles. 😀 The pattern seemed easy enough but that seemingly simple pattern made me learn two new skills — how to do a provisional cast-on and how to seam with the kitchener stitch. The pattern is one I bought not too long ago and the end result looked like it would’ve been simple enough to make. It is … but in it’s simplicity lay two valuable lessons.
The first (the provisional cast-on) I learned from this very valuable video on http://www.knittinghelp.com. That site is an absolute resource for newbies like myself and experienced knitters. Or at least I think so. 😀
While knitting, my work issue crept into my thoughts but rather than get upset I realized that just like my seemingly simple knitting project, there was a lesson to be learned in this. What I found is that my work problem, when broken down, has a simplified resolution, but a resolution that guarantees that I don’t have to deal with this particular issue again. Lesson learned — my first response was not my best response and I’m glad I walked away before saying something I couldn’t take back. Who said knitting doesn’t mimic real life? With both experiences, I learned new skills. How about that? 😀
It doesn’t look like much, but here’s my current W.I.P ~ Loopy Loops. See my provisional cast-on. I’m loving it!!!!! 😀
The project doesn’t look like much now, but here’s a better view of the stitch pattern:
It’ll be ready on Friday, complete with the kitchener grafting stitch for F.O. Fridays reveal. In the meantime, head over to Tami’s to see what the other ladies are working on. They never disappoint. 😀
D'NALI 
Ravelry page is now linked to my name! haha I live in the great state of Ohi’er, as my hubby would say 🙂 Glad I could bring some cheer to your day! (Of course, after reading what you wrote I’m wanting some ice cream myself!)
😀 😀 😀
One of my best friends is from Ohio. Nice to meet you.
Ok, first I have to say: I love the purple. Definitely definitely.
On the the post! Oh my gosh. That cast on looks like something I would mess up in a second. And for the kitchener stitch, I don’t know if you’ve ever done it before and I don’t know if you drink, but I had to sit down in a quiet place with a bottle of Mike’s the first time I did it! I hope that doesn’t scare you off of it, but knittinghelp has a GREAT video on how to do it. It also might be under “grafting.” When you’re doing it, it looks like you’re doing it wrong, but you’re not! Keep going! If you need to take it out and do it again, it’s not tooo bad to do. Good luck and can’t wait to see it!
Who are you … oh my goodness … your writing voice sounds so much like my friend it’s crazy. 😀 I read your comment in my head with her voice … I was falling out laughing. What’s more 😯 you and I share a name. Yes ma’am.
Thanks for the purple love lady … it’s my absolute favouritest colour in the whole wide world. Yes … I love it that much.
After the grafting … I needed a drink … had some frozen yogurt instead. Maybe next time, I’ll have a drink BEFORE I do it. After the second go round … I just couldn’t do it again. 😀
Well done on learning the cast-on technique, looking forward to seeing how your WIP knits up.
It’s hard not to bring work home with you or worry about it – thank goodness for knitting I say! xx
Thank you and yes ma’am. I’m coming to agree more and more with that knitting poster that says “I knit so I wouldn’t kill people”. It’s extreme but I totally understand (although I don’t support killing people). 😀
I feel exactly the same these days about my job, really trying to leave it behind as i leave but it is hard, knitting certainly helps
Rachel, it is hard, but keep at it. It saves your sanity and sometimes it helps to remember that the situations and people that bother us 1) they don’t care about our well-being enough to be decent and 2) it’s never that serious and 3) when it becomes that serious … it’s time to find another job. This I know … I’ve worked in HR long enough to know. Best to you e-friend. Hope things get better for you soon.
I struggled with the crochet-chain version of provisional cast on, until I saw one really clear tutorial that showed that you pick up stitches through the chain bumps on what I think of as the reverse side of the chain. HURRAY, that worked!
I use knitting to destress as well – it’s a bit like meditation!
Hmmmm … I think I’m going to look for those instructions. Anything to make that process easier.
Re the de-stressing … you’re telling the absolute truth. I came home today and that’s what I did. I finished the project and am now less stressed than I was walking through the door earlier.
The Gingko Shoulderette Shawl used a provisional cast-on and it was the first time I’d ever done it. I needed to do it twice and the second time probably wasn’t all that good either — luckily when I look at my shawl, I can’t tell anything was wrong. I wish I’d had that video!!!
I only recently got a good grasp of the Kitchener stitch, too. Tricky but so worth learning. 🙂
I’ll definitely be back to see what this project is!!
LOLOLOL. That’s the same thing I can say about my mattress grafting effort. It isn’t all that great but when I put the F.O. together … noone will even know it’s not great. 😀
I’m curious as to what this project is going to be. Can’t wait to see it finished!
Yes ma’am. As I respond to this comment … it’s done. Yay!!! It’ll be so ready for Friday.
Not sure what it is, but I love the colour. I’ve never done a provisional cast on before, but kitchener stitch is awesome – fiddly, but awesome 😉
Thanks. I can’t get enough of this colour although the yarn is acrylic. It’s just so beautiful!!!!
I’ll raise you one kitchener stitch if you see my provisional cast-on (or something like that in gambling terms) … 😀 I can’t wait to try it tonight.
I am lost to figured out what you are making. So will wait for Friday. Good to hear you resolved your work issue. But I agree with your Mantra, work stays outside the front door, not always easy.
I know right!!!!! It doesn’t look like much now. When I first saw the finished product, I wondered how the designer got it done. Who woulda thunk it coulda been so easy. 😀 I’m sure I’m going to finish it tonight, so it’ll definitely be revealed on Friday. You’ll see what it turns into then. 😀
Re the work mantra … after years of not doing that and paying for it with my health, I’m too through with bringing work home. I agree, it’s not easy cause I didn’t sleep well and I almost resigned my position … but the resolution turned out to be simple enough so I’m glad I stuck in there.
I use knittinghelp.com all the time. In fact, it’s part of how I learned to knit a few years ago!
It looks like you have better luck with provisional cast on than I do. I have to do it the crochet chain way, and even then I do it wrong and it takes me forever to undo it, heh.
LOLOLOL!!!! And here I was thinking it was just me. The video seemed simple enough but I had to try about five times to get it to look the way I wanted it to.
I’ll have to try the crochet chain way to see if that makes more sense for me.