Quick, ego boost knitting project: Wavy lace washcloth
Ugh. Enough already with the crafting projects that are way over my head. This one, for example. Or this other one I've been working on (no link provided because I have yet to find a sufficient amount of Vaseline to smear on my camera lens in order to photograph it properly).
I think I broke my sewing machine. I'm too ignorant to know what's wrong with it and too lazy to figure it out. Upon recognizing this, I did not throw a tantrum and tip over an ironing board in the manner of Annie Savoy in Bull Durham. No, I am a well-adjusted, mature human being. I do not engage in such behavior.
Hey, Briana, here's an idea. Forget all this sewing bull sh...how about doing something you're good at? What the?
It's true. I'm a good knitter.
I really needed an ego boost. A mini project to restore my confidence in myself and affirm my...not...sucking. In an uncharacteristic burst of enterprise, I decided to pick up my needles and knit a pretty little wash cloth to prove to myself that I don't, you know...suck. Quick, fun, instant gratification.
This is the perfect project to quell one's irritation. Knitting by itself is so meditative and calming, but I've found that it gets even better when paired with another tranquil activity. Namely, listening to This American Life podcasts. Didn't you all know that Ira Glass is the world's best knitting companion. (I have an enormous crush on Ira Glass. In an entirely non-romantic way, of course. Similar to my infatuation with Tim Gunn or Barack Obama. Love, but don't want to marry).
Anyway, I was listening to this episode of This American Life while I was knitting this perky little washcloth. In act one, David Sedaris reads one of his essays from Naked, entitled, I Like Guys. So, David Sedaris is pretty successful, wouldn't you say? I decided to take a cue from David and name this here blog post, I Like Knitting. Because I do, and I'm good at it.
Wavy Lace Washcloth
Yarn: worsted weight cotton
Needles: US 7
Cast on 43 stitches.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: P5; K 4 together; YO K1 (6 times); K 4 together; P5; K 4 together; YO K1 (6 times); K 4 together; P5
Row 4: Purl
Repeat rows 1-4 13 more times. Cast off.
Totally easy. You can do this project in the span of about 2-3 podcasts. I highly recommend this one. It's about inmates at a maximum security prison rehearsing and staging Act V of Hamlet. I know what you're thinking. Ew, Hamlet?-I'll probably be compelled to learn something if I listen to this one-No thanks. But just trust me, it is truly amazing. And all the objectionable learning doesn't hurt that bad. I also really like this one about music lessons with David Sedaris and Sarah Vowell contributing. And don't worry, there's hardly any learning to be found. You'll just laugh.
So. Now I have redeemed my faith in myself to the point where I just might have the determination to dig out my sewing machine instruction manual. I just might have the mental fortitude to actually read it. I may even possess the true grit and valor to pick up and properly stow my ironing board. It's been a good day.