most of the time we knitters don’t knit because we need something. it’s far easier, quicker, and most often cheaper to just go out and buy a pair of mittens, a scarf, a jumper or what ever we use to keep warm. but sometimes i do believe we knit because of need. and i’m not talking about the need to be creative or the satisfaction of making something by yourself, that’s a different need. for instance; i really, really need the jumper i’m working on right now, and i want to finish it as soon as possible! hang on, according to my previous statement, why can’t i just go to a shop and buy a jumper if i need one? because this very jumper is not available in any shops! i simply can’t find the type of clothing i want in shops! sure, some of it. if i could afford to buy all my clothes at nygårdsanna, i probably would, but i don’t. and even though yarn and fabric is expensive, it’s still not as expensive as the clothes i could consider buying. my sewing skills, however, are not so very advanced, which means that i will have to continue to buy clothes of the rack. but i’m fairly skilled at knitting by now and can make most of the things i need. it takes longer, no doubt, but i thinkt it’s worth it. of course i have bought machine knitted jumpers lately, too, when i gave in and realised that i would not finish one in time for the chilly season. but i often regret it afterwards. why did i buy that jumper? do i need it? and from h&m! quality is poorer, it has been transported half way around the globe and i know nothing of the conditions the people who made it are working under.
we are all aware of what’s happening to our planet, and more and more people see the benefits of shopping locally produced food. but what about all the other stuff? clothes, toys, furniture? i feel more and more disgusted by the way most of us live today, including myself. shop ’til you drop. let’s face it, the only power we have as individuals, except for voting, is our power as consumers. where we choose to spend our money. where do you spend your money? who benefits from it? who are you supporting with your money? well, i have decided to be much more careful with who i’m giving my support to in form of money. which in one way means more yarn and less ready-made clothes. doesn’t that sound like a good equation? which brings be back to my earlier point, i really need to finish that jumper if i want to have a nice, warm, and above all: stylish! article of clothing this fall. and there are fringe benefits: it’s an original, i will have the only one in existance and i had the fun of knitting it myself.
here it is, in all of its unfinished glory:
aston jumper
i have also made some progress on my maple scarf:
maple scarf
the cotton bolero i had to finish in time for a friends wedding was almost finished, i didn’t have time to complete the crocheted edgings, but i wore it anyway. it turned out a little too big, so my plan is to wash it in the washing mashine before finishing the edges, i hope that will do the trick. one reason for the size was the time issue. i didn’t have time to block properly, so i ironed the pieces instead and then pressed them a little too vigorously… it looks a bit sad and wonky at the moment, but i have hopes for its glorious return as a successful fo!
wonky bolero
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Knitting with Katarina 