Fear holds us back - fear of the mocking and being shunned.
But then one brave soul steps forward to publicly announce their problem. At first you are horrified but eventually you come to the realization that their brave confession could help bring a dark secret to the surface. Soon others start to admit that they too are afflicted.
Thanks to the bravery of Andrea, I am now ready to say it out loud . . . . . I need to join O . K . A (Odd Knitters Anonymous)
Hello, My name is Kim and I knit funny
There . . . . . I've said it. Whew, what a relief. Until Andrea's confession, I thought I was all alone. I have never seen anyone knit like me before. The resulting product looks the same as everyone else, but I hold the needles "funny". I jab one needle into my leg and hold it there. Once it's nicely wedged in place I just move the yarn with that hand. I have no idea where I picked up this stupid habit. (Meg, Stop Laughing)
I can't knit any other way. I've tried holding those stupid needles tons of different ways. Nope. I've tried the circular needles. Nope. And forget trying to knit with those crazy 4 little double pointed things. Nope. It's MADNESS
So are there any other people out there who need to join Odd Knitters Anonymous with me and Andrea ? I wonder what the 12 steps would be for this program . . . . .
You simply need to do a video of this! We were talking about how we knit at our "wellness classes" we had to take last week at our workshops. Everyone does it a bit differently. Only, some of us are actually teaching kids to knit like us! You could change knitting history...teach hundreds of kids to knit like you...then, we'd be the odd ones. It's a thought...
ReplyDeletehugs,
Courtney
Well golly, if that isn't a new style of knitting then my name isn't Julia... Some people are so inventive. I'd love to see a video of you knitting. On the other hand, it must feel good to have it out in the open. You are a brave girl.
ReplyDeleteI've got pictures of James unwrapping his gifts. JB
Well at least you know you have a problem. I didn't even know I knitted funny until Megan was trying to show me the correct way to knit.
ReplyDeleteI do a cross between crochet and knitting. I mean come on I learned to knit on the playground in third grade. How in the heck did I know 100 years later it was wrong. :)
So yep, I am there with you all of the way.
It was a shocking experience for me as I imagine it was for you, so I am in your club, Yes, I am a weird knitter. Now you know the truth why I don't knit. Yours looks really good though.
At least you're knitting!! It looks great! Do you avoid knitting in public for fear of redicule? Perhaps there's a group you could connect with...... the kinky knitters or something!! ( all in good fun here!) I hope to become like you in the near future!!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Cathy G
Ha ha ha! I've always been fascinated with how people hold their knitting needles. My daughter-in-law curls her fingers up and EZ makes it look so easy! When I first learned to knit, I held the right needle funny. Now I sort of cradle them between my thumb and forefinger but I am a very sloooooooow knitter.
ReplyDeleteOK, knitting has always been on my "bucket list" and since I'm a woman of a "certain age" I think I'd fit intO O.K.A. without hesitation! LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and thanks for making me laugh!
Mary
That was really cute. sandie
ReplyDeleteWell at least you are able to knit. I can't knit at all. You manage to make some beautiful things despite that odd affliction:)
ReplyDeleteMy hat is off to you, at least you can knit!!!Happy New Year my friend, Julie.
ReplyDeletethe only thing odd about my knitting is I have been knitting the same thing since I was 13 I never progressed. Odd wouldn't ya say?
ReplyDeleteCathy
oh my goodness! Cracking up, slightly shamed, laughing so hard! I must reveal that one of my first steps to overcoming this problem, aside from buying pretty yarn and fancy needles was to learn to CROCHET!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOk, I did have to giggle a little bit, just envisioning needles sticking out of your leg. ;) But at least you are knitting! And your fabric looks beautiful. Have you heard of the Yarn Harlot? She does a "cottage knitting" technique where she sticks the needle in her armpit! There is no wrong way!
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is, if what I knit looked half as good as what yours does, I wouldn't give a hoot how unconventional it was. I fear my attempts at knitting would look a bit more like the kitty's in your photo....Stay Calm and Knit Odd....Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin
ReplyDeleteToo funny! Well I think your work looks amazing so keep it up girl! Whatever works!
ReplyDeleteKnit however it takes to keep those good even stitches coming along! Your knitting looks great... I eventually gave in and took to crochet.... lol!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I didn't even know you were a knitter. You kept that pretty quiet!!!
ReplyDeleteI have always braced one needle on my thigh also. Strange but true! So much easier that way. I learned to knit when I was a kid. Taught myself from a book because I didn't know anyone who knit. So didn't learn 'proper'technique.
Now that I usually knit sweaters all in one piece, I have to sit at a table and prop my elbows on it when I use circulars. Still knitting weird!!!
In one of my books with a brief history of knitting in the British Isles, there are pictures of tools used by people who knit the way we do. It was quite shocking to me to learn that this was a perfectly acceptable way to knit in certain areas.
Fun post...I am not a knitter at this time, but maybe one day...thanks for the morning laugh...stopped by from Kim's blog
ReplyDeleteWell kim, That may be odd but I can knit alittle but well purl is not something that comes naturally. LOL Cheri I am purl challenged!
ReplyDelete*****look up a back issue of threads magazine where they show examples of the various knitting styles from around the world. there are some pretty amazing ways to hold needles.
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to be in a room full of knitters and watch how they do, well, almost everything in a slightly different way. I taught my daughter to knit and you would think that she would do it as I do. Nope. I was watching the other day and she holds her needles, throws and tensions the yarn differently to me. I expect we have both evolved over the years.
ReplyDeleteIn the north of England, the knitters position one needle under their arm and knit much the way you probably do. Whatever works!
I just need to join something. I have a half finished afghan in my closet.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your affliction my dear. I too must join the group. You had me in stitches here and it was all GOOD! Love your blog and I will follow to learn more from you. I came here from Robin's blog. I invite you to visit an hopefully follow me too ;-)
ReplyDeleteNancy