Saturday, May 17, 2014

Knitting

Knitting is not that common among the Amish. Most choose to crochet or do embroidery instead.

My mother taught herself how to knit after finding some patterns to make bedroom slippers for her children.

Every fall once all the canning had been wrapped up for the season she would spend her evenings making each of us a new pair of slippers to wear around the house that winter. It was fun being able to choose the yarn from her stash of pretty colors and then watch the slippers being made.

She taught me the basics of knitting, but since I don't enjoy handwork I have totally neglected it, a half finished scarf is still tucked in my craft room waiting to be completed. It was started close to twenty years ago and I'm guessing it will be one of the items that will still be unfinished twenty years from now.

12 comments:

  1. I didn't know that. I guess I always thought of Amish women knitting so many items to stay warm in the winter. I taught myself to knit the basics, like you, and have done a few afghans. However, I have a couple unfinished projects in my bag too.

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    1. The Amish buy a lot more things than people think they do. Including things to stay warm in winter, like gloves, scarves, etc.

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  2. Hahahaha ...... you will have to share your scarf when finished !!! I do things like that all the time .... such a sweet childhood memory ..... love your shares xoxo Have a happy sunshiney day

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    1. Don't hold your breath. :) The chances of that scarf ever being completed are pretty slim.

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  3. I had to laugh! You are a novice at unfinished items.
    In primary school, we all had to make certain items, an apron as a gift for our mothers, a summer skirt for ourselves, a sewing bag to take for craft work in high school years and so on. I loved to sew and finished all the required items so was set to make an applique baby quilt. That was 49 years ago.....two generations have outgrown babyhood and it isn't completed yet.
    There's hope for your scarf yet.

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    1. There are some projects that probably never will be completed. There are so many things in life more enjoyable than knitting scarves and appliqueing baby quilts! :)

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  4. I crochet blankets, my mom can knit. I find it very relaxing! Lol
    Christina

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    1. I wish I would find it relaxing! I don't even enjoy the feel of yarn.

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  5. My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was 7 years old-over 47 years ago. I taught myself to knit about 10 years ago. I absolutely love both and always have at least one project of each in a bag that goes everywhere with me. I keep the local hospital stocked with hats for the newborns as well as burial buntings for the little ones who don't make it.

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    1. What a blessing you are being to your community! Love that you keep the local hospital stocked with newborn hats, and how precious to have a lovingly handmade item to wrap wee ones for burial. Shows love and care to grieving parents.
      Blessings~

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  6. I'd heard "Amish don't knit" from other knitters before, so I was surprised when an Amish man turned to me in a market where I was browsing the produce and knitting a glove and said "my wife does that."

    Walking around with my drop spindle, on the other hand, had Amish women asking for explanations and watching very intently.

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    1. A few Amish knit, but not very many many. I can imagine the women would have been interested when they saw your drop spindle.

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment. I love hearing your thoughts.