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03/15/2007
A Love Story
About two months after I taught myself to knit, I casually mentioned to my sister Kara that she should knit a scarf. She agreed but then later when I was teaching her she asked if I was sure I was okay with her learning to knit seeing how it was "my new thing" and she didn't want me to think she was stealing my thunder. I assured her I didn't mind at all and so we continued with the lessons.
Kara was a quick learner and soon she was past the scarf phase and interested in knitting more complicated patterns. I was actually really pleased that like me, she wanted to keep knitting. It was the oddest thing actually, we didn't just learn how to knit--we felt this unexpected draw toward it. It was strange to realize we both REALLY liked knitting. You know what I mean right? When it becomes more than just knitting a scarf or beanie every year. When you start looking at yarn like it is art. When you think about it all the time, make lists of your upcoming projects, and start calling a yarn store your LYS.
At the time we started we weren't roommates but would get together to watch shows and knit. I remember turning to her and saying "I really love this." She would turn back to me and say "I do too." It made me happy because she got it. We got each other you know? We both loved knitting.
Kara and I have knit several projects together. In fact, our first sweater project was the ill fated and totally wrong for our body types Rebecca Wrap Cardigan. Next up was Nancy Bush's Norwegian Stockings which fared much better. It has been a while since Kara and I have done a knit-a-long together and frankly, we missed it. So when we both fell in love with the Dollar and a Half Cardigan from the new Spring 07 Interweave, we knew we had found our project.
Last weekend we bought Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Truffle (for me) and Willow Leaf (for Kara.) Eager beaver that I am, I knit a swatch last night and blocked it and everything. I think this is going to be fun.
Erin: "Do you think this will all go away and one day we won't care about knitting anymore?"
Kara: (after some thought and a brief pause) "I really hope not."
Me too Kara. Me too.
17:35 Posted in Dollar and a Half Cardigan | Permalink | Comments (17) | Email this
Comments
It's wonderful that you and Kara have such a great thing to share. My only sister lives in Massachusetts, so I only get to see her about once a year. Enjoy it while you can! Hopefully it will last for many, many years.
Posted by: Cheryl | 03/15/2007
That is such a sweet story! I wish I had a sister!
Posted by: laura b | 03/15/2007
I love this! My sisters won't knit with me. :( Oh well. I can just watch the two of you!
Posted by: tiennie | 03/15/2007
A very charming story--my best pal Babs and I have similar 'what did we used to do before we knit?'>/i> conversations all the time...and I am very impressed that you only started knitting a few months ago, amazing!
Posted by: Heather | 03/15/2007
That's a sweet story. I love that color for Dollar and Half too. I really must get some yarn for it. Thanks for reminding me. Good to know that the yarn can work to gauge with the pattern too.
Posted by: Wanda | 03/15/2007
Eliza is making that sweater, too. I've admired it in the mag. Does this mean I'm hip like you and Kara. Huh? Does it??? Please.
Posted by: susan | 03/15/2007
you know i've asked myself that very question!
i can't wait to see your dollar and a half cardigan.
Posted by: jacqueline | 03/15/2007
you two are just gorgeous. as i type this my mum is sitting by me knitting a cushion cover. sometimes we sit together and knit on the couch while talking about our day. i really do treasure those moments. you are very lucky to have kara who shares the same passion as you. may it last forever!
that cardi is definately a classic. i will definately be wearing one myself this winter for sure. :0)
Posted by: vera | 03/16/2007
I have one brother and so no knitting sibling, so it's really nice to get to hear about your experience. P.S. -- yeah for you for ordering the Blithe kit -- I LOVE it!!
Posted by: Melissa | 03/16/2007
It's great to share what you love with those you love. :)
Posted by: Stitch-n-Snitch | 03/16/2007
I have 5 sisters and none share my passion for knitting. I have made a family of other knitters who share my passion (and you're in it...like it or not);-)
Before you started coming to SnB I saw you and Kara at BSWC and you were buying some yarn and Kara had on a Stacey's scarf. I recognized you when we joined the Ewe-tah ring and starting coming to SnB. You two work well together. ;-)
Posted by: margene | 03/16/2007
Awww!
I've taught 2/3 or my sisters to knit, and they like it, but they're not INTO it in the same way I am. Maybe someday--it took me years to progress from being someone who knew how to knit to being a knitter.
Posted by: Heather Joins The Round | 03/16/2007
You are so lucky to share your knitting with your sister! I have one sister and have offered several times to teach her, but so far she is not interested. I'm looking forward to seeing your new cardigans. :)
Posted by: Debby | 03/16/2007
Yanno I love me some Erin & Kara knitting stories. I'm just in wow of you and your sister. Embrace it. It won't end. Me and my sister, the only thing we good at together is drinking and talking about people, ha. Gotta take what I can get huh? Now, thanks to you two talking about this cardi, I'm considering it, which is a shame, because I'm really all cardied out. We'll see how I feel once I finish Sesame.
Necia
Posted by: Necia | 03/17/2007
lovely story - and no.. I don't think it will ever go away (fingers crossed here for all of us!)
Posted by: Teyani | 03/17/2007
How great that you both love knitting. My sister quilts and does not like knitting, although she does wear all the things that I knit for her. I loved that cardigan in the mag too, so I cant wait to see how good yours looks when your done.
Posted by: Sue | 03/17/2007
Awww. That is such a sweet love story! I'm glad you and Kara have such a fun passion to share. My sisters and me (and my mom) all crochet, but we are not as into it as you guys are into your knitting!
Anyway, I miss you. I'm glad I get to read about your life and your knitting habit. :)
Posted by: holli | 03/19/2007