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Knit it like Granny
By Megan Claus Jayplaywriter
And this year you could send a stitched gift instead of having to wear one...
If the idea of swirling yarn with oversized needles sounds titilating to you, you may be in for a life-altering hobby. Okay, maybe not life-altering. I was a virgin knitter on the night I decided to try experimenting for the first time—with knitting needles and yarn that is. I had no idea what I was in for.
Photos by Kit Leffler
It wasn't so difficult once I got the hang of it, but getting to that point was a challenge. If you're like me, you have a sense of creativity, but are probably not the type of person who could whip up a stunning smock without a little guidance and example.
We're a lucky bunch of knitting hopefuls. The Craft Yarn Council of America sponsored research in fall 2002 that suggested that more and more younger women are learning to knit. The percentage of women under the age of 45 who know how to knit and crochet doubled from 9 to 18 percent between 1996 and 2002, according to Publishers Weekly in May 2004. And for all you guys who are too shy to dive into all the fun, knitting is unisex.
All this popularity can only mean one thing: more resources for learning have been demanded, and the market has supplied. There are how-to books and videos and online resources, but nothing beats a good learning session from a pro. I took it to the ultimate source of the knitting knowledge hierarchy: my grandmother. But if your little ole' granny, her rocking chair and basket of pumpkin orange yarn aren't readily available for you, there are other options.
Chris Deman, owner of Crafty & Company, 918 Massachusetts St., says her goal is to get Lawrence knitting faster. Deman plans to offer crafting classes, including knitting for all levels of experience. She says visual learning is the best way and encourages her customers to bring in their projects if they are stumped.
Finding your own rhythm is foremost. Deman recommends starting a practice project, knitting your stitches over and over while ignoring the holes and mistakes. Eventually, you'll find your comfort level and will be able to take on a project.
If you want to knit, there are no excuses not to. The resources are endless. To avoid road bumps that I experienced, I strongly advise you to look at all your options before jumping into it. And don't be discouraged if you don't get it right away. Just remember two things: patience and practice.
Don't be aknit-wit
Let's practice the first row
Let's practice the first row
Here are a few steps that will get you started. If you make it to the end, you owe it to yourself to take it a little bit further.
You'll need a pair of knitting needles-any size, and a skein of yarn-any kind.
Slip it on
The first stitch is the slip knot. Pull about 10 or 12 inches from your skew of yarn and make a circle, leaving extra yarn for a tail. Place the end of your yarn under the circle; it should look like a pretzel. Insert one needle under the pretzel bar. Pull the ends of your yarn around the needle. Don't pull it too snug!
Cast on
Place the needle in your right hand. Wind
the tail end around your left thumb from
the inside out and wrap yarn from the
skin over your left index finger from the
inside out.
Insert the needle under the first strand on your thumb from the side nearest to you.
— Megan Claus
Bring the needle over and around the first strand on your index finger. There should be a triangle-shaped loop between your thumb, needle and left hand. Pull the
yarn and needle through this loop.
(not shown)
Take your thumb out of the loop and gently pull the tail end to tighten the stitch on the needle.
Repeat the cast on steps eight to 10 times for your practice project. This will be your first row.
Source: I can't Believe I'm Knitting!
There simply is not enough room to show you all the juicy details and the remaining steps. If you want to take this stitching relationship further, refer to these handy directions by Vogue: http://www.vogueknitting.com/tech/tec.hhtml. The site is complete with step-by-step directions with photos to help you out along the way.
Damage control
Busted baby barrier
You were smart enough to use a condom, but now the unthinkable has happened — its defective, broken or torn. To prevent pregnancy, the woman involved needs to start emergency contraception within 72 hours. This usually means taking the infamous "morning after pill." You can obtain these pills through Watkins Health Center or the local Planned Parenthood, 2108 W. $2^{th}$ St. Whatever you do, seek the advice of a professional.
Source: www.plannedparenthood.org
Stephanie Lovett
minute fix
Edison's Little Helper
Just when you thought there was only one good use for Vaseline, we've found another; and it still involves screwing. To assure that you are able to remove your burnt-out light bulb without pliers or electrocuting yourself, apply a light coat of Vaseline around the metal coils before installation. This will make changing a bulb fast and pleasurable, just like the other uses for our favorite petroleum jelly.
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— Megan Claus
Jayplay 9.16.04