Red Scarf Inspiration
You know, I just love my Dad. He's always willing to try new things. Both my parents are this way, actually, but today I'm going to focus on Dad, because he has gone and done something so darn cool, it just makes me smile every time I think of it.
My Dad decided to teach himself how to knit because he wanted to contribute a scarf to the Red Scarf Project.
Nothing Knits Like a Deere
The two bright red scarves (on the left and right ends) are made out of Lion Brand WoolEase, the red and white striped scarf is Cascade 220 (red stripes) and Ella Rae (white stripes). The variagated scarf on the tractor seat is James Brett "Marble". It's a little hard to see, but the red scarf on the right side has a lovely textured stitch pattern and the variagated scarf on the tractor seat has a chevron thing going on. And, in case you wonder where Dad is getting his yarn, apparently there is a nice new yarn store in Whitmore Lake (Michigan) that got his business..
One of the many things that makes my Dad a very cool person is that he was one of the first people in his family to go to college. He went to an Michigan Tech University in Houghton, Michigan -- the northernmost point in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Clearly, if anyone can appreciate taking a big risk on an education and needing a scarf in a care package, it's Dad.
To tell you a little more about Dad's start in knitting, I thought I would share an IM conversation that we had. (Gtalk is great because you can get your conversation transcripts via your Gmail account). It lets you see some of his personality better than I could ever do in my own words.
On Why He Started Knitting
me: So did mom teach you how to knit?
Dad: Well not really because she knits in a conventional manner and I wanted to learn continental. So I did. but mom helped me to understand the terminology and what the objectives of the stitches were. Like the bar expand and decreasing and such. Once I know the objective of the stitch I can usally figure out how to do it. Of course all I've done so far is knit and purl.
me: You taught yourself continental? That's how I knit. That's how Judy taught me. So you just decided you wanted to do it yourself?
Dad: Yes. I went on the internet and found a video of how to knit and purl then I practiced a lot.
me: You know, I think I've got just about the coolest dad ever. And really, knitting and purling is all you need to know. There aren't any other stitches. Everything else is just about combining them in different ways.
Dad: I got inspired by your scarf project for orphans and I have one scarf that might be acceptable for that project and I'm working on a third. I decided instead of sitting in front of the TV watching dead bodies being cut up on csi that I could benifit just as much by just listening and knitting.
me: I'm pretty much with you on that one. Although I'm pretty good at knitting stockinette in the round (knit stitch all the time) for socks without looking. I think the red scarf project is really a special project. I don't do much "charity knitting" at all, but this one really hits me in the right place.
Dad: Me too.
me: When I think how lucky I was to have a supportive family, and I realize how many people don't, it just seemed like something I could do to let someone know that there were people out there who want them to succeed, even if we don't know them.
On Swatching and Stashing
Dad: There are only 2 scarves completed and 1 that I'm currently working on. The first "scarf" is just a long piece that is narrow then wide then with may funny stitches and so forth.
me: Even if the first scarf is really just a swatch, that's okay. I have a lot of strange looking little and big swatches myself.
Dad: Swatch is a generous term for it.
me: Grin. Most knitters have a few unique pieces from when they learned. And most spinners have some odd looking yarn. I like looking back at my earlier stuff.
Dad: I did learn a lot on the first few like drop stitches and putting down my knitting forgetting which needle is the left and right which puts in a funny row. I'm sure there are still a few more mistakes I have yet to make.
me: Mistakes are how you learn. I make tons of mistakes. Great thing about knitting: you can always rip things out.
Dad: Tell me about it.
me: Oh, and when you forget that left and right thing and get the extra row, you're actually doing something called a "short row" -- it's a technique used for shaping. So some mistakes can even become "design elements" :-) I like to think knitting has lots of positive health benefits, too. You can't eat while you're knitting, for one. And I think it's very centering and peaceful.
Dad: I agree 100%. When I first started my knitting was real tight and I had all to do to get my needle in to make a new stitch. It is funny when I start doing it right I could tell because it looked right to me. I guess I have watched enough people knitting that when I started knitting right I could tell.
me: It does make me smile to think that now you can share a "stash" with mom.
Dad: She is pretty protective of her stash. I've had to buy my own yarn.
So there you have it -- the birth of a new knitter because of the Red Scarf Project. I'm just dying to teach him how to construct a sock. You gotta think that an engineer will be able to really appreciate sock engineering. Makes me a feel a bit guilty because while I have the yarn for my scarf, I still haven't found a pattern that makes me happy. I might have to come up with something on my own. Talk about some excellent motivation!
And for those of you who haven't checked out this very lovely opportunity to encourage someone on towards their educational goals, I do hope you'll take a look and think about it. You can also check out Norma's Red Scarf 2007 Blog to see what others are doing and find out even more about the project. And learn about opportunities to win some fibery prizes. The older I get, the more I realize how important my education was to helping me get to a good place in life. Every student deserves a cheering section to help them through the rough spots!
That is SO wonderful that he taught himself how to knit so he could do charity knitting. Give him a big, huge "WAY TO GO!" for me!
Very sweet any time anyone learns to knit. But there is something about when a man learns, especially a dad, because he has the guy thing of being interested in the technical side of things (as well as the charity, in this case). He wasn't talking about the feel of the deliciously yummy silk blend, for instance, or the color; he was talking about dropped stitches and increases and stuff like that, in a very analytical way.
I wish more men would knit.
I love this story, both the fact that he has taught himself to knit and that you are able to express your appreciation for all the things that make him special! I feel like a pusher every time I get someone started knitting socks, since it becomes an addiction.
That is just so cool! You have to love a Deere in knitwear! I'm with your mom on the stash sharing. Everyone needs their own stash. What if something that you have been saving for a special occasion is gone when you need it? I'm just curious though - did you both really im in complete sentences?
What a great Dad you have!
I couldn't WAIT to get up this morning to read this after you gave me the preview last night. I love you, Theresa, and I love your parents. You ARE so lucky to have good ones. I think my husband and I are the kind of parents to our daughter that your parents are to you -- but I didn't have parents like that, so I see the contrast very easily. And my daughter has had a very privileged education with all the support in the world. Just like you and your dad, that's why I got involved in this project, too.
Before you pointed out to him in the IM conversation that he had done a short row, I was going to say, "Hey, he's done a short row!!!" but of course you got there first. :D
That is awesome! Congrats to both of you! My dad knows how to *knit* but not *purl*. He was taught while in the army (just like he was taught to sew). I think this is fantastic (your dad knitting, that is!)
Oh, I forgot to ask....is it ok if I nick that photo for the Gallery of Finished Scarves in the Red Scarf Blog?
I have sent a link to your site for todays post to soo many knitting friends- your dad does rock!
Yay for your Dad! I love his approach to learning, and the reason he decided to. My Dad's a 'try anything' kind of guy too - aren't they great to have around?
What a great Dad you have! It's so cool to see another man out there who knits, expecially who taught himself because of a very special project. Congratulations to Dad!
Your Dad really does Rock! How proud you must be :)
That is so cool!
What an amazing guy! You are very lucky to have such a father.
Please tell your dad that he's my inspiration for joining the Red Scarf Project. I'd been going back and forth trying to decide whether to take the time and spend the money. Learning about how your dad taught himself to knit so he could make scarves for the project just pushed me over the edge -- in the best way, of course!
Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely AWESOME!
Your dad is wonderful!! Good for him!
(Gee, all my dad's done for me lately is give me his cold . . . not that he should be judged solely on that, because he's all kinds of wonderful himself, but he certainly doesn't knit. I'm just sayin'.)
What an awesome Dad! I'm so with him on the CSI thing. I'm really getting tired of the grotesque on TV.
Kudos to your dad for his ingenuity and altruism.
I think you 2 have proven the old adage that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. ;)
Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated! One more for "our" team! Yeah!
I had to comment when I saw the Whitmore Lake yarn store mentioned...that is a really nice little store. I live down in A2 now, but I still make the trip up now and then to go to my dentist, and I ALWAYS have to stop in to see their new yarn.
I wonder if I could teach my dad to knit...
That is so cool about your dad! I taught my mom to knit recently, maybe if she and I pick out some red yarn she can make a scarf for the Red Scarf Project (with a few unintentional short rows, I'm sure).
This is so awesome! What a great dad!
Now everyone will want your dad. I know I do. Better protect him from dad-thieves.
;-)
I LOVE this! I knew your dad was an engineer from the first bit of the IM conversation, I'm the daughter of one myself. But we haven't got mine to knit. Yet.
Okay, your Dad is seriously awesome. And I think the fact that a few of the stitches in his first one are bit wonky makes it all the more wonderful. How special is the recipient going to feel that not only did someone make them this lovingly handmade gift, but they actually learned to knit just so they could do it.
Your Dad's story got me a little misty-eyed! I echo Sarah's comment!
Aw. That's wonderful! I think your Dad is so cool for wanting to knit, and he has a great motivation to learn! I love the line where he says your mom is pretty protective of her stash!
How cool! First spinning and now knitting! Not to mention the wood working (I type as I look over at my beautiful needle holder!) I love the picture of the scarves on the tractor too :)
You are so fortunate to have a terrific set of parents, and a Dad who has taught himself to knit, with the inspiration of doing charity items, is one in a zillion! Thanks for sharing the story!
What a great guy! I'm sure someone will love getting a scarf with that much love knit in.
Delurking to give a shout-out to your Dad! What a great guy!
Oh man, I love your Dad! You know, he might enjoy trying the multi-directional scarf pattern. Plus it is a good one for learning decreasing and increasing.
Anyone who brings up the objective of a stitch is all right in my book!
Delurking to say--thank you for that story! It completely made my day
I'm so awed with your Dad! What an amazing man. I wish I could go to the Dad Store and get one just like that, because believe me, my dad ain't all that or even a fraction thereof. Treasure him, okay?
What a lovely post. You and your father made my day!
How cool is this? You must be so proud! I'm laughing at how your mom is "protective" of her stash ~snort~ and he's a CSI fan! I do red scarves too! You have an awesome family!
That's an incredibly sweet story! Thanks for sharing it with us.
You tell him to keep knitting because it's good for when the fish aren't biting! I remember those long hours on the ice up in Michigan!
hee hee.... "nothing knits like a Deere!" Your dad is so great!
What a wonderful post. I wandered over from "Blithering Knitiot's Blog", he linked ya.
Your Dad is one of those rare and amazing men. What a lucky girl you are. Can't wait to here about sock learning updates!
My Dad in NW Indiana just recently retired from the Ford Plant in Chicago Heights...i know *he* needs a new hobby. Hmmmm.
~Suz~
This is just so much more than cool. What an amazing man, both intellectually and personally.
Your dad rocks! You ae a lucky woman. And now, you always know what to get him for Father's Day - yarn store gift certificates!
Hooray for your Dad! (Would he adopt me?)
My 5th-grade son wanted to learn to knit when he saw me doing it after a years-long hiatus. So he practiced over a weekend and planned to make himself a hat. But, on Monday, when he excitedly told his best friend about it, the friend ridiculed him for being "gay" (which is so wrong on so many levels). But my son hasn't tried knitting again, I'm sorry to say. I think I'll show him your post.
And hooray for Whitmore Lake and Michigan! Hooray for tractors! (My Mom grew up on a farm in Grattan.)
Great story - I love the protective of her stash bit...
Have I ever mentioned how fortunate you are? Your Dad sounds like a heckuva great guy!
Your dad is a dear! Get it?? Nothing knits like a dear on a Deere. Ok, sorry for the bad pun. But your dad is great and I like his comments on the objective of the stitches. I haven't thought about stitches in those terms but it makes sense. I'm going to incorporate that into my knitting process now. Thanks for sharing the wooly love with this adorable story!
Best Dad story ever! I mean, I'll keep my Dad and everything...but yours sounds pretty amazing.
that is so awesome that your dad taught himself to knit for the Red Scarf Project. I'm just way impressed by that.
Oh my gosh, I think you have the world's coolest dad! And reading what he said, I just knew he was an engineer -- the way he talked just made it sound like his brain worked that way. I've heard that they (engineers) can be the best knitters, I guess because they don't find "the maths" daunting, like those of us with math anxiety.
You're right. Your father is the coolest!!! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story. I love the picture of the red scarves with the John Deere!
This is such a beautiful story - what an amazing dad!
You have the coolest dad ever!
That is the bestest story evah! Your Dad rocks! And what better reason to learn to knit. Thanks for sharing.
That's really quite wonderful! Way to go DAD!
That is so cool! Your dad ROCKS!!!
My best guy friend taught me to knit a few years ago.
What a great story, your Dad truly does rock!
That is just too cool! Yeah, I could be a "dad thief". :)
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