All Threads Are Not The Same

During this time of COVID-19 quarantine, I have made a point to learn something new. Years ago, I purchased a knitting kit to learn how to knit and make a beautiful throw blanket as a Christmas gift. As life would have it, the busyness of raising my children and many other life events got in the way of learning how to knit. Since I have all this down time, I thought it might be a good time to learn.

I learned how to crochet on my own when I was 18. I have always been intrigued with how the threads come together. My first project was a simple doily that I completed with pink yarn. It was delicate with very loose stitches. It can be challenging to keep the stitching tight and consistent on your first project. On the next one and the following few, I got better and better.

As I moved through my young life and settled into married life, I began to branch out on the projects I chose. The next time I did a major project was during my pregnancy with my first daughter. I was in the high risk pregnancy in the hospital for a couple of months and was bored out of my mind. I was not allowed to get out of the bed except to shower and visit the lady's room. I decided to make a baby blanket to bring our precious new baby home from the hospital, so I sent my husband to the craft store with a list of items I needed. I was able to finish that dainty, white, lacy looking, crocheted baby blanket before I was released to go home when it was safe to be away from the hospital.

Over the years, I made many more baby blankets, booties, and bonnets for new babies born to my family and friends as well as on to bring home our youngest daughter home from the hospital.  It was so precious. Yellow squares, framed in white, with little pink roses and light green leaves. The finishing touch was white satin ribbon weaved through the edge of the blanket and tied in a bow on the corner. The same ribbon was placed in the bonnet and booties.

I have cross stitched, needle pointed, embroidered, and sewn many different things over the years. All of these things I learned on my own. I will say that I was destined to sew. My mother sewed and made clothes for my brother and myself when we were children. I made my very first outfit on my own at the age of 12. It seems to run in the family. My oldest daughter made a hand stitched, antebellum style dress to present for a fifth grade project. I was so proud of the effort she put into making it. There is nothing like looking at a completed project that you have made on your own.

Accomplishment.

Kitting. Different. Challenging. Holding two needles. Doable. I thought I would be able to sit down and learn it in a no time. I'm learning. Slowly. It takes time to master each stitch. The one HUGE difference with knitting is that you cannot miss a stitch. If you do, it is noticeable. Crochet is a little more forgiving that way. I am still trying to learn how to pick up a missed stitch. There are several other stitches that I have to learn. In time, I will figure them out and be good enough to make the throw blanket I purchased years ago. When I do, I will be able to look back and see that I have learned yet another thing.

With all of the items I have made, there has been a learning process that also invokes problem solving. I have served my family and friends by giving them the items made with my learned talents. I challenge you all to lean something new, especially now with the time we find on our hands. In the meantime, good luck with your ventures of serving, solving, and learning.