Pins's Needles

A few years ago I knit and crocheted a charity marathon- 26 miles of yarn made up into items to donate to charity. I wish I kept better notes for better details but I did give away hundreds of items. I also came up with tendonitis so bad that I had to go through physical therapy and my project got sidelined.

I’ve slowly worked my way back into knitting but have been much more careful about it. I have found that crochet bothers me more than knitting and heavier gauges are the worst. Still, I really want to make a blanket for my nephew Scott.

I didn’t meet Scott until he was two, so he didn’t get a blanket at birth like all of my other nieces and nephews. He’s a big boy now so I can’t make just a little lovey either.

I found the perfect pattern and have cast on for the Starflanket by Stephen West. It is going much better than his other patterns I’ve tried. I have purchased at least three of his patterns without finishing the projects. His designs are so interesting but about a quarter of the way in I think, “This is too crazy. I would never wear it!” and I put it away. With a blanket, I don’t have to have that worry.

It is also the perfect canvas for a new method of knitting I am trying: Norwegian knitting, also called ergonomic knitting.

I first learned of this on my favorite knitting show, Arne & Carlos.

I have made significant progress on the new blanket with no pain in my elbows. I am starting to get the hang of the new method. I am slower than before but not so slow to be discouraging. I think I will keep it up!

I’ve always been confused by the stereotypical granny knitting. Doesn’t that hurt her joints?! Knitting is a young girl’s game! (Ha!) I hope I can keep my joints healthy to enjoy a long life of needlework.

What about you knitters and crocheters… How do you keep comfortable?