My grandmother was a tailor and a genius. She lived with us for a year when I was seven and imparted what skills I could grasp: mostly knitting, crochet and some basic embroidery. I had already been a crafty kind of kid, so I soaked up every bit of knowhow and my Barbies were the best dressed (if you consider bulky knitwear haute couture) on the block.
But no one my age did those kinds of things. As I was growing up, my friends teased me for acting like a grandma and asked if I'd rather sit at home knitting an afghan or some baby sweater instead of going to a party. And despite the fact that I love to kick it almost as much as anyone, I can admit that there were some times I would have rather sat at home with a bundle of yarn and a good movie than get all dolled up just to dodge projectile postparty puke. If that qualified me for an AARP card, then I was ready for my senior discounts.
Nowadays, knitting has become sort of like a religion to some people. And that's awesome; there is so much more variety available in yarn, needles and ideas that I can make so many more projects that wouldn't end up taking top prize at an Ugly Christmas Sweater party. But at the same time, I can't help but feel snotty that it's become so trendy. I used to be so unique knowing how to do that stuff. Most "knitters" out there these days could probably cable circles around me as though it was no big thing.
But I guess I can take comfort in the fact that I'm the only one of my nani's 14 grandchildren who ever got the hang of it.
*The title of this post came from a Transplants song my boyfriend put on a mix cd for me. However, there are times when I actually do talk like that.
I always secretly wanted to learn how to knit. But I can't even figure out where to put the thread in my sewing machine, so maybe it's a good thing I never learned.
ReplyDeleteMe me I want to learn to knit. But why? We have lovely warm weather here all year. I guess it's because it's part of craft. As for embroidery and sew on [couldn't help that pun, I'm having a punderful day]...put me around buttons, threads, fabrics, I'm in heaven.
ReplyDeleteI saw in a Brit. magazine, a man interested in that kinda stuff and noooo guys, he's married. His wife made a lovely stand for him to store his threads.
I see people knitting all the time, all over the place. In the most unlikely places. I kind of wish I had learned to knit.
ReplyDeleteAs an aside, it was really weird once when I was on an airplane, and the woman next to me was knitting with these big pointy steel needles. They let her bring her needles on board, but they took away my water bottle. What is US security coming to?
My mom always knit (knitted?) when I was growing up - as a teacher, she even taught after school classes on knitting. I rebelled and ran away. Now, I wish I'd learned. Not because it's the "hip" thing these days, but because it's a great bonding experience with my mom that I feel like I've missed out on.
ReplyDeletewhat if you dont want to go out OR knit??? what are you then? dead? congratulate me
ReplyDeleteI totally feel that way about stuff sometimes. I guess it's only human!
ReplyDeleteIt's almost like you were country, when country wasn't cool.
ReplyDeleteTransplants are fearless and they're most oridge-in-ale!
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way - I learned how to do all that stuff at a young age and really enjoyed myself.
ReplyDeleteDon't you hate when something becomes popular that totally WASN'T way back when it was YOUR thing? Like brushed twill and topsiders... and now look at J. Crew. It's blasphemy.
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting for the day sweatpants and t-shirts become haute couture! Sometimes I feel the way you do about knitting, about reading. (Uh, did that come out right?) It's like, "Oprah, are you just now discovering THAT book?!"
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