My grandmother tried to teach me to knit when I was younger but it didn't really stick at the time. It was only years later, after a childhood spent marvelling at the things my mum created, that my dad showed me how to crochet. It was easier to get into, the work grew at a more satisfying pace, and I was happy. Even better - the stitches could easily become mindless, and I was able to work without looking most of the time. I spent one summer (WHY SUMMER) making my first throw blanket: I took the biggest crochet hook I could find, lined up my entire acrylic stash by colour, and crocheted with three strands held together at a time. There are some things I'd do differently if I were to make another (the cast-on chain is much too tight, for example) but the bold colour progression is still delightful and I love how warm the blanket's sheer weight makes it feel. When it was finally done I washed it and the water it soaked up made the thing so heavy I had to get my brother to haul it to the clothes line for me. It's the size of a double bed (with plenty of overhang on the edges).
It turns out, though, that I'm someone who doesn't stay happy without new input, and the last few years have been a journey of internet-fuelled learning. My craft supply stash has grown to ridiculous levels and my collection of saved patterns rivals the size of my Steam library. And of all of it, nothing has felt quite as perfect for me as knitting does. Each new technique was a marvel I couldn't wait to master (or at least attempt): entrelac! double knitting! lacework! colourwork! socks! blocking! steeking!
I cobbled together charts to make my own 'My Favourite Things' scarf (more acrylic rainbow hues of course), combining double knitting and charts and colourwork into something so ridiculously ambitious that it's almost literally unwearable (it's more than six feet long) and yet it was mine and it made me happy. As my budget increased I found the delights of natural fibres, interchangeable needles and ball winding. I finally tried knitting socks (toe-up, two-needle style all the way) and not only did I realise that it's a lot easier than it seems, but it turns out I love it. I also love making shawls (full and scarf sized), and knitting lace, and I even love plain old knit stitch in front of the television.
So I guess the point I'm getting to here is that knitting is a big thing for me. My study is half craft room. A good third of my wardrobe space is also dedicated to craft supplies (mostly yarn stash). My current project is rarely out of reach and most days I either use or wear something that I've made. I can't sit and watch tv without needles in my hand. And so, since this is my blog and I get to choose what it's about, knitting is going to be the second main feature here. Maybe I'll even find some other bloggers out there with similar interests!
My main project this year is going to be my second attempt at a Geek-A-Long blanket. The Geek-A-Long is a project for charity (Child's Play, who aim to "improve the lives of children in hospitals and domestic violence shelters through the generosity and kindness of the video game industry and the power of play") hosted by the lovely ladies at Lattes and Llamas. Based on the traditional knitalong, the Geek-A-Long is an online project where a whole bunch of knitters around the world follow a pattern (well, series of charts) and post their progress throughout the year. At the end, hopefully, are a bunch of nerdy blankets. This year's theme is 'Video Games' and there aren't many other themes that I would find more irresistible - 'Crops from Harvest Moon', maybe, or 'Stephen King Villains'? I only got through four squares last year before the allure of knitting a bunch of socks instead drew me off target but 2016 is going to be my year, especially since 2014's squares are interchangeable this year (some of 2014's were video game related and I'd hate to miss having them in my blanket).
So far I have exchanged this year's 'Mario Kart' star square with the more traditional 'Super Mario' mushroom from 2014, and begun the 'Portal' Aperture Science logo. I'm using dark brown for my main colour, with bright (of course) contrasts in pink, orange, yellow, blue-green, blue and purple for each of the designs. I would love to be able to afford the 'official' yarn (Louet Yarn is donating 50c for each ball of Gems bought for the project) but unfortunately I will just be using plain old acrylic again this year - Moda Vera Marvel, one of the only easily- and reliably-available yarns in this country.
Double knitting is great fun once you get the hang of it, and (as long as you actually pay attention to the chart) not too bad as tv-knitting, either. Overall the entire project is a lot of fun, the community is wonderful, and the cause is excellent. I noticed that this week's square was for 'Tetris' - I'll certainly have to put that one next on my list. Who doesn't love Tetris?!
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