Astute readers of this publication might wonder if the sweater pictured above is the same garment as the scrap of yoke I shared in the last Cablegram. Reader, it is.
After that post’s reflection on the precious somatic experience of knitting, I’ve been working on this project like a manic for the past two weeks. I zipped through the yoke and was singleminded in my goal to finish the body in a single weekend. Then I brought it up to my desk during work to pick up when I got stuck on a coding problem or to get a few absentminded rows in during a zoom meeting. The sleeves appeared out of nowhere and the double knit button band is materializing as if from thin air.
During this chaos, I’ve had zero regard for my limits and have found myself knitting until my hands and arms hurt more than once. What in the world has gotten into me?
In another overly committed part of my life, I’m a runner. If knitting this cardigan was a race and my knee started to ache, I would absolutely slow down and respect my body. I’ve never hit this kind of wall with my knitting practice, though, and it shows. As I type this, I’m currently slouched over an aching shoulder and stopping to stretch my wrists every few words.
Still, I’m so close to the end that I am itching to keep going. In all fairness, a stockinette cardigan is hardly the kind of knitting experience that I would usually savor. I’m absolutely rushing through this project so that I can finally snuggle up in this pastel puff.
Outside of knitting, these past few weeks have been stressful and exhausting. It has been a respite to watch the glowing colors in the suri alpaca pass over my needles, in the same way that the physical challenge of a long run is exhilarating. I just need to remember to slow down so that I can keep tapping into this source of power for a long time to come.
Finished Objects
None, see above for obsessive monogamous knitting.
Works in Progress
Of course the biggest WIP has been my champagne cardigan, but I also managed to squeeze in a few rows on a Stockholm Slipover in the amazing Noro Madara yarn from one of my favorite local yarn shops. It’s a funny shape, but I’m excited to have a less detailed project to pick up after the cardigan. Also, these stripes from Woolen and Nosh have been soothing my soul.
Alright team, I’m going to take my own advice on resting and leave it there for this week. Maybe my library hold on Rest is Resistance will be available to set me straight soon. I promise to have less to show you next time!
Yes, I know no bounds when it comes to obsessive knitting. We'll drive for 13 hours to Arizona, and I will knit the entire time I'm awake. (Which, to be fair, is probably only several hours. Leaving at 5 am means nap time for Gen!)
Sorry to hear you are having an exhausting time! Hopefully, you can find more balance soon.
But I'm only an enabler when it comes to obsessive knitting. That's why they make bags that say "Just one more row.... Just one more row.... Just one more row..." ;)