If Only Knitting Were All it Could Be

I just sat here watching something on the Food Channel about gals getting married at Disney World and I'm speechless. The idea of walking down the isle with even the finest and tiniest of all Disney nuances is unsettling. Come to think of it, I did go to a wedding years ago, and the bride walked down the isle to the Disney Light Parade tune (don't know the official name), and it was a good thing I had champagne before the event because honestly and truly, if it weren't for the few sips I had, I would have made some sort of a citizen's arrest, or worse, hopped up, sidetracked a few steps there along the pew and fainted on the white carpet, mouth agape, hair draped ever just so in a nice frame around my face.

Anyway, yesterday, I did some stash cleaning. So many things needed to be moved from here to there. Bags and bags of yarn, odd balls, a couple skeins or hanks here and there that were stacked up and needed to be placed in a safer environment. But when I brought the ones out of my studio that needed to be moved into my bedroom and I pulled out all the zipper bags that were hidden underneath my bed, I became sad.

I looked at the lot of the Lorna's Laces Sport I bought more than a year ago, the stuff I hoped would become a sensational something and I realized with a blink that I had forgotten what I wanted it all to become. Then, I looked at a whole ton of junk I scored on Elann, most of it great, some it not-so, and I had a moment of regret and under my breath I muttered: "You yarn there, why oh why didn't you ever become all that I dreamt you would be? And how could I ever forget you, anyway?"

Honestly. I'm convinced that half the knitting thing is in the dreaming and if you don't do a bit of dreaming and aching or whatever it is that you do when you spot a pattern or a skein, a hank, or a ball, then all you have on your hands is a bit of wool and a couple of needles.

If all it were, were a bit of wool and a couple of needles, well, I don't know what I would do.

Maybe I'd still play classical guitar. Or maybe I'd still cook. Or do the Lindy like we used to. Or worse, the Swing. Heck, maybe I'd even manage to finally re-cover the couch that Chuck ate when he was one year old--and that was seven years ago.

Anyway, Girlfriend spotted the Elann Sonata and asked me if I would knit her a skirt. So, I pulled out a few colors and added a skein of the Tahki cotton that is so similar to the Sonata, and decided that I would give it a go. The nice thing about knitting something for small people is that it goes so fast, and, if they are under about age 5, you can do no wrong.

I mean, really. With the kids, knitting is all it could be and more. Especially since, if they are under about two, they can't protest.

BTW: I finished the Missoni-esque tank. I haven't put straps on it yet, though. I just can't decide what is best.

Comments

[courtney]

We got to our wedding and realized that we hadn't chosen a song to be played as we were leaving. I didn't think much of it, I just told our friend,who was playing the keyboard to play something "perky". It was only later that I realized that she played the tune to "we're off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz" as we were taking our first walk as husband and wife!

[Wendy]

Courtney, that is one of the funniest things I have ever heard.

[Miss Scarlett]

I think it is true - that half the joy in yarn or patterns is the dream of what it may become.
Goodness knows from the rate I add to my stash, if it wasn't for dreams it would never serve any purpose!

[ZaZa]

It's not just the yarn, it's the clothes, the shoes, the accessories. I can see all these wonderful pictures in my head, but sometimes I don't belong in that particular picture. /;+) That's when the stash grows or you've got stuff sitting around for two years with the tags still on.

But the yarn and the dreams, I haven't gone so nuts since I was sewing all my own clothes.

[Carson]

I couldn't agree more about the dreaming part.

I see GF already has keen eye for colour :)

[turtlegirl76]

I fear that same thing for my stash. Which is why I went to Ikea and bought the biggest Expedit bookshelf I could get.25 cubbies all ready to house my stash (or most of it anyway) and in a place where I can see it and keep that hank of Blue Heron Rayon Metallic in my thoughts and those many hanks of Cascade 220 that I've been meaning to create something with. Out of sight, out of mind. It's a dangerous place for a stash to live.

[Bridget]

Thank you for a good laugh first thing in the morning, re your comments about Disney brides.

I think I'm lucky, in that my stash is small enough (compared to most people I know), that I remember which projects I bought the yarn to make. Having said that, I can say that it doesn't mean I've done anything with most of it yet.

[Sue]

So glad to hear I'm not the only one - my stash is full of yarns that I loved and had big plans for, and now I still love them but haven't a clue what I intended to use them for. And as for the Disney brides, apparently, there are LOTS of brides who want to get married at Disneyland/world or want a touch of Disney in their weddings. Disney just introduced a line of wedding gowns (really, it's true, just Google on "Disney wedding gown") and I looked at them online. They are gorgeous gowns, some sleek and modern, some like princess ballgowns - they're expected to be very popular, even with brides who don't want Mickey and Minnie to show up!

[marcia]

My yarn stash these days, provides only stress and pressure to perform. I think I need to dream a little more focused.

[jillian]

You are so right. Dreaming is so much of knitting, at least of kind of knitting. It makes me realize, finally, why I always desire more yarn and books and patterns, because the making of it is really only half the trip! Thanks for hitting the nail on the head!

On the Missoni-esque tank, the first thing that pops to mind are itty bitty straps (i-cord) extending frm the center bust and tied halter-style behind the neck. But that wouldn't be terribly practical.

[Shannon]

I knew TWO couples that had Disney-themed weddings! One went to Disneyworld and did the wedding there AND the honeymoon. The other did the wedding at home and then honeymoon to Disneyworld. Luckily I wasn't actually close to either one so wasn't invited because I don't think I could've coped. I wonder if their bridesmaids wore Minnie Mouse dresses?!

[Catherine]

I know a couple who, when they got married in 1998, used the Disneyland Electrical Parade theme song as their entrance song into the reception after the ceremony. I half-expected to see him bounce her around the dance floor like a runaway ladybug. Of course, I was too busy crying with laughter to take any pictures of the spectacle.

They got divorced a few years ago. Make of that what you will.

[Bobbi]

I like to think of it this way, if the knitting is not all it could be...it's the fault of Muse! She whispers in our ears while we are fondling wool and tells of that we need to bring X home because she has great plans that she will share with us. However, once we are met at the door by SO and/or kidlets (all clammering for our attention), if Muse doesn't get her share of the attention she says, "Piss on it. I'm outta here!"
That's why months later, when we rediscover wool we have no memory of what it was for because Muse went and told someone else. BUT, if there is a hint of recollection, it's Muse saying that there is hope for us yet. Darn Muse!

[Sonya]

You know how they talk about "follow through" in parenting? Well I think there is a corollary in knitting. Following through with that idea or dream you had for the yarn at its purchase. I have looked a bag of stash in the eye and not had the foggiest idea what the plan was. Some, I have a scrawled note or pattern stuck in. But for all this, you can't beat the idea of gestating stash. That there it is, waiting, until the perfect project comes or the neglected yarn is seen in an entirely new way. I wax philosophical though.

[DebbieKnitter]

Personally, I LOVE to go stash diving and when I am not feeling 100%, I go right to my yarn room and rumage through what is what.It makes me feel so much better, even if my stash has grown to the size of a small store. Oddly enough, even after 2 years, I remember exactly what I had purchased each and every hank/skein for,hmmmm, maybe I should join a 12 step program *grin*

[Shannon]

You have so clearly stated my state of affairs with yarn. Thanks for putting it into words for me. As for Disney weddings, some people are always going to be just big kids.

[flutter]

awwww she ASKED you to knit her something, didn't that just make your heart happy?
I was snow white at Disney, and I wouldn't ever want my wedding there, ever. I don't even know that I want my kids to go there (if I end up having any)

[Vanessa]

I have an enormous stash as well, and my 7 year old cousin will come over, peek through my stash a bit and ask me to make her a blanket, a poncho, what have you. I love the fact that she enjoys the items I make for her so much and wants more. Her older sisters arent as appreciative so I've stopped making anything for them. I do have my first niece on the way and have been busily making things for her - I hope she has the same appreciation for the items as her cousin.

[Jess]

I'm glad I'm not the only one opposed to a "Disney world". The adults wearing Pooh make me wonder too... gives the poor old bear a bad name. Can't wait to see Girlfriends skirt! Aren't they cute when they want you to make them something?

[becky]

My traveling stash bag recently started talking to me and I can tell you, it wasn't the Muse (oh how I wish.) It was the yarn- behaving like rivaling siblings begging for attention. I've blogged this nightmare for those interested in what they've been saying. Fortunately my novice/intermediate knittng skills limit what I can turn things into. Count me in on the "no Disney for grown-ups." Also count me in on the "no Disney for kids." Is it me or was Disney less of a marketing/ brainwashing phenomena 25 years ago?

[Teyani]

a wedding at Disney? my gosh. that would be a rather 'interesting' fantasy beginning to what is a very real commitment. very odd.
Knitting for kids under 5 = a happy knitter. small projects, very few complaints from recipients! (hah!)

[dris]

ahh . . . if I could have taken all that money spent on (dream) yarn, and actually purchased what I wanted . . . but, sometimes, my knitting is so much better than what I had imagined . . . isn't that what dreaming is all about?

I just reorgainized my stashes of yarn and fabric and everything else in-between, and it was very satisfying to consider the possibilities . . . if only I could jump the wake to the other side . . . and create something amazing.

[Cheryl]

It makes me so sad to read this. I dream of the day I might have a stash consisting of anything but the cheapest of acrylics or be so blase about all of it that I can buy "bags and bags" of yarn and then not even remember what project I had in mind. You are so blessed, Wendy. Be thankful that your stash (or budget for new yarn) can keep up with your designs. So many of my designs are as yet untested for lack of appropriate fiber. I can't even imagine the luxury of buying a skein, much less a lot, of Lorna's Laces and forgetting what it was for. (For that matter, at this point in my life I can't even imagine the luxury of buying a skein of Lorna's Laces!) I love your writing and your patterns, but I think I may have to give you up as too expensive.

[Grace]

You think Disney weddings are strange? How about a Hello Kitty Wedding? They actually have a Hello Kitty Wedding chapel in Japan! I have to say, though, I have seen the Grand Floridian in Disneyworld and when you are there, a Disney wedding doesn't seem so strange...

I am new to knitting (about a year and few months) so I don't have too much of a stash problem (although I have TONS of sock yarn--sock yarn doesn't count, right?). I am still buying yarn for specific projects, not because of the yarn itself (again, excluding sock yarn). But I still love to look at and feel new yarns (does that make me a yarn voyeur?).

[elizabeth]

I've never understood the concept of theme weddings. I believe a wedding should be representative of the two individuals getting married, not a pre-packaged deal from Disney or anywhere else. Maybe some people don't like to make the decisions. Or they REALLY like Mickey. As an aside: my trainer told us about a bride she knew who insisted on having a 15 lb. weight put in her bouquet so her arms would be pumped while she walked down the aisle.