Dropping Needles on the Floor

Laura

I love watching other people knit. Not only does this mean I am most likely also knitting myself, I enjoy the amazing variety of styles and techniques we each bring to the same craft.  There are the major differences between western and Continental knitting, straight or circular needles, how we hold the yarn, our needles, and the little quirks in our techniques - a bit of a tug here or a pinkie sticking up in the air there. All things buried deep in our muscle memory so we are mostly unaware of our repetitive movements.

My husband's cousin is sadly just out of the hospital, again. She's had a hard time of it and so we wanted to send her something that would bring her comfort. My first thought, cashmere, in this case Karabella Boise. It's 50% cashmere and 50% fine merino making it super soft but just a bit more practical. Certain to bring joy into the life of any knitter. Our cousin is a beginner knitter and will be understandably weary for a while so I thought a simple scarf would be just the trick. This pretty brioche pattern is perfect for new knitters, its easy, there's no purling and so much more interesting than garter.

I wanted to get her started so she could jump right in. Thing is, since I was sending the needles along with the scarf, I was working with straight needles for the first time in years . . . and I kept dropping them on the floor! Literally on the floor. At the end of each row my left hand automatically let go of the empty needle it had been holding; not a problem if your knitting with circular needles but not such a great move with these bamboo needles. It was an automatic action, without conscious thought or as it turns out control. In spite of my efforts I dropped them time and time again until I changed to a wider chair where the needle would only fall on the seat.  I guess that makes me an old dog.

Comments

[Suzanne V. (Yarnhog)]

That is so funny! I've never used straight needles, except for dpns, and I always drop those! I was so excited when I learned the magic loop method, because it means I never have to use straights again.

[Karen B.]

Ha-ha! Sorry Laura, but that's kinda funny. And very sweet of you, too.

I wish the best for your husband's cousin.

[Carol]

nah, not old. You just have very well trained muscle memory. Besides, you will probably not pick up straights again anyway, so subconsciously you knew there was no point in changing your behaviour.