The good thing that has come out of my skin problems is that I'm suddenly eager to crochet again. I figure the only way to avoid elastic altogether and actually like what I'm wearing is to make it myself. But - and I hate saying this - crocheting is not really as good as knitting. Most crocheted socks are bulky and kinda ugly, in my opinion, and even though crochet can make some nice sweaters, they are not nearly as versatile and beautiful and complex as knitted sweaters. Mmm... cables and leaf patterns... And with a good cotton yarn, I might never be itchy again - and have beautiful handmade clothes to boot!
The problem is, I don't know how to knit! I mean, I don't really know much about crocheting either, but at least it makes sense. I tried to teach myself how to knit a couple years ago. But I have a very tiny attention span. I'm one of those people who want to make pretty things NOW, after only a very cursory glance at instructions. I think that's why crocheting was so easy for me to pick up, but also why I only know 2 stitches. That's also why I'm pretty well suited to things like baking and cooking. Recipes are a list of instructions, you glance over them, mix ingredients together, add heat, and presto! You have delicious food! Not, read from book, practice stitches for a week, make a dish towel, then practice more stitches for another week, then maybe make a hat or a scarf.
Still, I have a knitting book, I have a pair of needles, and I have a huge skein of cheapo acrylic yarn. So I decided that after all this Christmas baking is done, and after my grad school applications are sent off, I'm gonna hunker down and have another go at knitting. What's wonderful too is that I have the whole New Year's week off from work, so I'll actually have time (Yay, time!) to work on it. I've also requested a crocheting book and yarn from Sam for Christmas, so I can work on learning more about crocheting, and actually make stuff other than flat rectangles. (Scarves and afghans are nice, but sometimes you really need something more interesting.) I can really take advantage of after-Christmas and New Year's craft store sales too. I'm really excited!
My renewed interest in fiber arts might cause some budget issues, but I figure if I calculate carefully and try not to go overboard, I should come out of this okay. And with new clothes! That's always a plus. Eventually. Gotta remember that learning comes before doing, which comes before pretty clothes. ...Maybe I'll ask for craft store gift cards for Christmas...
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