The Knitting Fiend

Barbara writes:

The scary thing for me is that I actually purchased that knitting book AND I still own it. In looking back at it, I see there are several normal patterns - you had me worried for a moment.

Yes, Spinnovations 2: 42 Great Sweaters and Jackets for Men and Women had some wonderfulpatterns!

I particularly like the sweater show to the left. I’ll admit I don’t feel compelled to knit it; I rarely wear lady like clothing. But I think it’s unique, flattering and interesting to knit without being overwhelming. Would a young person wear it now? Beats me! But I don’t think someone might wear it. I suspect they’d get compliments (particularly when the sweater is paired with the graceful skirt I trimmed from the photo above, left.)

But, as you saw in previous articles, Spinnovations II also contained some weird designs. Big collars? Yep. Loads of fringe? Yep. Strange proportions? Absolutely!

You know, it seems to me that magazines that consistently publish memorable wonderful, innovative patterns also tend the publish the most laughable ridiculous things seen on earth.

Why is that? My theory is that adventuresome knitting editors risk catastrophe hoping to publish wonderful, totally novel items. When these editors take charge of a magazine, splendid and atrocious knitting appear side by side.

What if knitting editors don’t risk publishing ridiculous patterns? If they stick to “safe” designs? Their magazines end up filled with boring but safe patterns, sort of like the turtleneck in the center of the photo to the right. There is nothing wrong with that sweater. It’s just sort of turtleneck my classmates and I wore with our Catholic school uniforms in high-school. But why would I want to knit it?

It’s safe to say, I will never write a haiku about it.