I have been thinking about beginning my own blog for years now. I remember discovering knitting blogs back in the days when they first began. I read every blog I could find at that time with WendyKnits being my favorite (and I still love it). Even then, I considered starting my own, but the lack of easy technology at the time made me hesitate, not to mention my busy work and home life. Lately, something has been telling me, "now is the time -- don't hold back," so here I am.
My brief stitching story:
My brief stitching story:
I have been a knitter for over 20
years, having begun my passion for fiber arts as a crocheter.
Like many of us, I began crocheting as a young girl at the knees of my great grandmother. She was an extraordinary crocheter, who produced dozens of afghans, table clothes, and dollies. Unfortunately, I gave up crocheting soon after learning, but luckily, I came back to it in my 20's. The little, unloved scrap of tan crochet she used to teach me sat in a corner of my childhood bedroom closet and called to me often on visits home. I finally took it back up, learned everything I could to make my own afghans, and then learned knitting a few years later.
Knitting is my first love now and has been for many years. I still crochet occasionally, but most nights (and even during moments of the day when I can sneak in a few stitches here and there), I can be seen sitting on my comfy couch knitting with one of those glorious afghans covering my lap.
A few years back I learned to spin, too, and have gotten proficient at spinning a worsted weight yarn on my Ashford Double Drive Traveller. Some day when I have more time, I would like to learn and practice this awesome craft more, but right now, my busy working life as a community college professor and my personal life as a mother of two wonderful teens doesn't leave much time for anything else but portable knitting and a bit of exercise.
Like many of us, I began crocheting as a young girl at the knees of my great grandmother. She was an extraordinary crocheter, who produced dozens of afghans, table clothes, and dollies. Unfortunately, I gave up crocheting soon after learning, but luckily, I came back to it in my 20's. The little, unloved scrap of tan crochet she used to teach me sat in a corner of my childhood bedroom closet and called to me often on visits home. I finally took it back up, learned everything I could to make my own afghans, and then learned knitting a few years later.
Knitting is my first love now and has been for many years. I still crochet occasionally, but most nights (and even during moments of the day when I can sneak in a few stitches here and there), I can be seen sitting on my comfy couch knitting with one of those glorious afghans covering my lap.
A few years back I learned to spin, too, and have gotten proficient at spinning a worsted weight yarn on my Ashford Double Drive Traveller. Some day when I have more time, I would like to learn and practice this awesome craft more, but right now, my busy working life as a community college professor and my personal life as a mother of two wonderful teens doesn't leave much time for anything else but portable knitting and a bit of exercise.
Why
the title of the blog?
I
can hardly remember a time when stitch patterns did not fascinate me. Some
people love color more than anything; others, like me, love stitch definition
above all else. My very first knitted object was a scarf form my husband, and I
chose to knit it in seed stitch (with black yarn). Seeing those little bumps of
yarn develop before my eyes just fascinated me. It still does. I
progressed naturally from seed stitch to knitting a textured sweater with a
repeated pattern of triangles, made from a combination of knits and purls, and some mock cables, made with twisted stitches, to my passion for
cabling. Knitting Aran sweaters is my true love. I have made several over the
years, and I will share them here along with their stories as time progresses.
Of course, I will talk about other subjects besides Aran and textured knitting
on this blog, but I would guess that many of the posts will naturally relate to
that subject matter since it interests me so much.
So
have you guessed what the name of the blog means yet? The honeycomb stitches refer to one of the most recognizable Aran
stitch patterns, often found in the center panel of an Irish Fisherman sweater.
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| Image taken from http://www.realmenrealstyle.com/the-aran-sweater/ |
According to the legend (some doubt its veracity) of Aran knitting, each of the
stitch patterns have different meanings. The honeycomb stitch is said to represent
hard work and its reward (The Aran Sweater).
This stitch appeals to me for several reasons:
- Appearance: It is well defined and intricate-looking, yet easy to knit
- Meaning: I consider myself to be a hard-worker in all things I do: teaching, knitting, crocheting, spinning, exercising, and most importantly, mothering.
- Gender: This stitch looks great on garments worn by both men and women
The honeycomb stitch pattern is just one of many
Aran patterns I love. As time goes on, I will introduce you to more of them and
consider what it is that makes each one special. For now, here is the central motif from the first sweater I knitted containing the honeycomb stitch -- made for my son when he was a wee one:
Lastly, peppermint tea is a
favorite drink of mine, especially in the evenings when I want to unwind from a
hectic day. It calms me, settles my stomach, and serves as the perfect
accompaniment to an evening of knitting and spending quality time with my
family. You could say that knitting honeycomb stitches (Aran knitting) and
sipping peppermint tea are two my “favorite things.”
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| Classic Aran by Jade Starmore from The Children's Collection |
I am just testing to be sure the comments work since a friend told me that she was having trouble posting one. :)
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Now I am testing to see if posting with a Blogger ID works. Sorry for all these comments to my own blog!
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