Red Scarf Project: October 2006 Archives
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!
