OBSSESSION

When I was a kid growing up in rural NH, I belonged to 4H. It was the thing to do and I joined even though I was not the least bit interested in livestock or anything farm like. But I did enjoy learning how to sew and I still sew even now. In the kitchen of the Kimball farmhouse I learned the basics. For knitting I went to a little yarn shop where Mrs. Droilet volunteered her time to teach girls to knit. I was awful at it and never made it past the one inch by one inch square and I quickly put down my knitting needles to play outside. I had no desire to knit again until just recently. One of my chemotherapy patients, coming in for weekly treatment, sparked my interest with her loom knitting. That was something I could do and before I knew it an obsession was born.

First I bought a Knifty Knitter loom at Wal Mart and one skein of yarn. It took three tries to figure it out, but I finally did and I made a scarf. It was full of mistakes. Then, following family tradition, I bought a book and another skein of yarn and made a purple scarf. No mistakes this time. That was two weeks ago. I now own several Knifty Knitter looms and a basket full of yarn. To date I have made two scarves, two shawls, six hats and one table runner (it was supposed to be a blanket). I knit constantly. My lap used to be for my cat, now I push him off because it’s full of yarn. I’m behind in everything because of my new obsession. Even more telling, I’ve read one book in two weeks!

I go to yarn stores, Michaels or Joanne’s Fabric and gaze at yarn and touch the soft bundles. I’m like a cat, needing each skein with my fingers and purring with pleasure. I hold them against my face and revel in the texture. And the colors, oh the colors, who knew colors like that existed? It’s just amazing. I now dream of colors, textures, techniques and projects. Lucky for me, I can bring hats in for my patients to wear; otherwise everyone I know may be gifted with a hat! I am totally hooked, no pun intended.

So that’s my obsession, I have become a Fiber Artist, AKA a knitter. Before you know it, I’ll only Blog about knitting and become a hoarder of yarn. How many of you are now thinking, “Get a life!”? I know…..right?