04.30.08
Reflections and Fears
I’ve been reflecting on my knitting projects status.
I had a difficult past year with my CTS/RSI - trying to find the right doctor, going through physical therapy, worry that I won’t get better, etc. As someone who has been using her hands as an artist all her life, this was a huge stressor. I am so grateful to have healed under the care of a great doctor and PT. I am now mindful of my physical limits and taking care of my wrists/hands but - my past injury has made me very skittish when it comes to my knitting, crocheting or any other fiber work - and then I realized something (here comes the epiphany) -
I am afraid to knit a sweater.
I have been very happy with my projects since I’ve been able to begin knitting again but I’m afraid to knit something that isn’t a short piece of fabric. Where is this fear coming from? Is it fear of injury? Always a possibility but I am very careful to take breaks or to stretch. Fear of startities? Wouldn’t be the first time. Fear of seaming? There are patterns in the round.
As a first step in examining my reluctance to knit a piece of clothing, I decided to go to The Point. I did not go in with a plan. I decided to just look at the yarn, browse the book shelves and see what happens. I lusted after the Rowan Calmer yarn and then casually flipped through some pattern books. A couple of things caught my eye but I didn’t want to make a hasty decision, back to lusting after yarn. Then I slowly sidled my way back to the pattern books, should I, shouldn’t I? Yes!
I walked out with Classic Elite Yarns Summer Book 1 and Rowan Yarns Classic Summer Book Eleven. I’m smitten with the Four Season “Man’s” Vest (CEY) and the Ralph Shetland vest (RY). And then I realized something else -
Maybe I’m just afraid to knit sleeves?