Casting On
Not exactly a cast-on, but I didn’t want to leave for this camping trip without bringing my knitting.
I don’t know if Lora knew it at the time, but she truly changed my life when she taught me how to knit. I felt like a whole world of possibility was opened up to me. Suddenly I had the ability to make garments and accessories that I’d actually want to wear. Knitted goods are so much more appealing to my taste than crocheted ones. I also believe knitting to be much more versatile and elegant as an artform. It has a rich history and every culture that adopted it left its mark on it. There were whole industries centered around this art. Those industries still exist, just now the work is done by machines. I’ve enjoyed learning about the history of the craft every bit as much as learning the craft itself. But that was still a ways off. For now, let’s dive into the early years.
I wouldn’t realize this until much later, but 2017, the year I learned how to knit, was to be a momentous year for me. It was to be my last year in the surface fleet and also the year my dating life basically ended. I’d have to move back home by the end of that year and begin the process of getting out of the Navy due to my mom’s declining health. I was able to stay in for another year, under humanitarian orders, but then I had to get out of the service. It was quite the abrupt change. Luckily for me, I was able to bring knitting along.
When I designed this hat, I just wanted to see what would happen if I made a double-knit beanie that flared out at the band. It ended up being the only hat my mom would wear when she would go for her treatments and hospital visits.
Because I learned knitting at such a turbulent time in my life, I didn’t exactly have a linear progression of projects. I was hesitant to commit to big things like sweaters. I focused more on smaller projects like cowls and hats or simple shawls. Those were easy enough and still satisfied my creativity fix. Everyone assumes that all knitters only make sweaters, but that’s simply not the case. There are plenty more projects to undertake, and some knitters never get around to making a full sweater. Even now, 7 years after learning the art, I have yet to make one. I have yet to even make a pair of socks. But I have made quite a few hats, scarves, and cowls. I’ve even made some blankets. I think I owe it to myself to finally make my first sweater and first pair of socks. Hopefully this will be the year it gets done.
The lack of knitted sweaters in my life didn’t stop me from having fun with my first few projects. Admittedly, they were mostly experimental pieces. I loved creating things with texture and intricate designs. Although I used a few patterns for my first projects, I really didn’t like to. I preferred to strike out and try my hand at designing my own projects. I had a lot of fun and made some very attractive accessories. Sadly, I don’t have many pictures of these creations anymore. Most of the items themselves were gifted to friends or family. The few photos I do have are mostly potato quality. I really knew nothing of good photography practices back then. I am still learning them now. Unfortunately for me, this means that my blog and Instagram have to make do with whatever photos I have left until I can crank out new projects and new photos. It’s a work in progress, but I am grateful that I get a chance to do it and continuously improve.
Although I don’t have a picture of this cowl anymore (or the cowl itself), my first project was the Waterfront Cowl found in Malabrigo Book 10 (and here in PDF form https://www.yarn.com/products/malabrigo-waterfront-pdf ). I enjoyed making it so much, but ended up gifting it to a girl who had my affections. I actually liked the pattern so much that I ended up using it to create a two-tone reversible beanie with a detachable pom-pom (because the beanie was reversible). It was a really cool and sophisticated piece. Now I feel kind of silly about it, but I ended up gifting that item to the same girl. She happily accepted my gifts but cared little for my affections. Years later she ended up marrying another man. I guess that’s just the way life goes sometimes.
My second knit project. I completed it while standing duty armorer on my ship. The armory is not a classified space so taking pictures in there was not prohibited.
My second project, and I do have a picture of this one, was a cabled beanie. When I first learned how to make cables, I was really fascinated by them. I still am! After completing this beanie (it was a free pattern off of Ravelry, but I can’t seem to find it now), I began experimenting with my own cable designs. I was able to create Celtic motifs with knitted cables and really enjoyed the possibilities these opened up. Celtic art is one of my favorite genres of art. Luckily, I kept a beanie, along with its matching cowl, of one such motif for myself. I’m happy that I can present updated photos of it here. The cowl itself is a bit of a fun design. Rather than knitting it in the round, or even permanently joining it in the round, I opted for Celtic themed buttons and made buttonholes to allow for joining and detaching the cowl into its classic cowl shape. I’m not sure why I made that design choice, but it does make photographing the whole motif a lot easier. I think anyone can have a lot of fun designing and creating with simple ribs and cables. When combined, those simple techniques create infinite possibilities.
Shortly after completing these projects, I picked up a little book called Knitting Fresh Brioche: Creating Two-Color Twists and Turns by Nancy Marchant, then proceeded to be summarily swallowed up by the vast ocean of Brioche knitting. The techniques described in this book add a dimension to handknits that is impossible to achieve with normal knitting techniques. The fabric gains more volume, simultaneously becoming airier, warmer, more luscious, and more luxurious. The techniques also create exquisite curved motifs that are simply impossible to create with regular knits and purls. Because of this, Brioche knitting is very suited to creating leafy motifs and uniquely shaped fabrics. Needless to say, my experimental knitting soared to incredible new heights after this discovery. I will certainly be discussing Brioche Knitting in more detail in a future blog post.
Years later, in 2019, my knitting career really took off when I started working at Purl Soho. This was a fantastic yarn shop in the SoHo district of Manhattan. I learned so much about fiber arts there and will always look back fondly on my time spent working at this store (I even modeled for them once: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2019/10/06/seafaring-scarf-in-big-good-wool/ ). It was easily my favorite job since getting out of the Navy. Sadly, they permanently closed down their storefront after COVID. They still operate online, but buying yarn online just isn’t the same. I hope the owners reconsider their decision to permanently shut down the store. This era also deserves its own blog post and one will be forthcoming.
Ultimately, knitting became an inseparable part of my identity. I rarely went anywhere without bringing a project and some needles. It helped alleviate my boredom and keep me steady. Throughout all the uncertainty that dominated my life, knitting and my faith were always a bedrock of support. Knitting was something to do while riding the train and something to do while sitting next to my mom as she got her chemo infusions. It helped me pass the time between classes and kept me from getting dragged into awkward conversations at family gatherings. It has helped me create functional works of art and connect with incredible people. I wouldn’t be the man I am today if I had never learned this skill. So, Lora, if you somehow manage to see this blog post before I get a chance to see you again, thank you so much for giving me this gift. As for you, my dear reader, thank you for being here and entertaining my stories. Until next time, see you next post!
Not all warriors appear wearing armor and wielding swords. Sometimes, she just wears normal clothes and wields a bold smile as she fights her way through the hellish battlefields of cancer.
