Never say never! I have a new hobby. I never considered myself “crafty” in the creative sense (or in the other sense either!) and I also never considered myself artistically talented (I’m not talking book sense here).
I grew up with a mom who loved to knit and created the most elaborate, beautiful sweaters that took bobbins and counting etc. until carpal tunnel surgery on both hands sidelined her knitting. 
My grandma who I was very very close with also knit (that was my father’s mother) and she was perfect – on tiny needles with thin yarn, she would make skirts and sweater tops that looked like only a machine could have knit them. Grandma taught me when I was pretty young, but I never took it up as a hobby. A few years ago, my mom taught my oldest daughter – who used to knit in fits and spurts – until recently when she started knitting during any free time she had. She’s made beautiful scarves and I love wearing what she’s made for me – and she is now in the process of making a gorgeous blanket. Still, I had no desire to join her but I did have this subtle yearning to try again … but I thought I didn’t have time. And I honestly didn’t think I’d be that good at it!
Fastforward to this vacation. We were in Florida and went to the knitting store to buy her the yarn for her blanket and get a pattern and the gorgeous colors just called to me. Same for my younger daughter. So we purchased the needles and some pretty but inexpensive (relatively) yarn … and we were off and running. My youngest didn’t pick it up quite as quickly … my mother can’t figure out what she’s doing. We think it’s knitting backwards (could she be creating her own stitch, LOL?) But to my shock, I remembered how. I’m telling you it’s been over thirty years since I’ve knit but it came back to me. My daughter and my mom taught me how to cast on, which I’ve always been curious about … and guess what? I’m knitting a scarf! 
Here I am with my first official finished project. It’s not perfect. But it’s MINE! The ends are a bit straggly – it’s like I don’t turn corners that nicely – and for some reason I tend to pick up stitches – I started with 24 and I don’t understand how I’m now at 26 but I’ve finished one ball of yarn and I’m in the middle of the second – and it’s very forgiving yarn – it’s hard to see mistakes since it turns colors as I knit, which is helpful for this first endeavor.
Now the time factor – I have decided to use knitting as a reward – if I work all day and I finish my page count – my reward is I am allowed to knit at night and work on my scarf! It’s relaxing and I look forward to getting into bed and taking out my knitting – NOT MY LAPTOP! I’ve looked up a local knitting store and when I finish this scarf, I plan to go over, have them teach me how to bind off and maybe add fringe – and set me up with a new project!
When people would ask me, what are your hobbies – I’d always say “reading” but it bothered me because while reading used to be a hobby, it’s now it’s tied to my career. And didn’t seem as much like a hobby as work – until I get lost in a fantastic story, don’t get me wrong! But now I have something I like to do other than reading and writing (working) – and it’s really exciting for me! Best of all, it makes me feel connected and close to the women in my family – my mom, my grandma (who I always miss) and my daughters!
So … do you knit? If not, is there another hobby you love? One you maybe came to late and took you by surprise?
*****
REMINDER
HOT STUFF in stores now!
The series has HOT new covers, so if you missed them the first time or if you just like to collect new series editions, this release is for you!
And for more info. and an excerpt on HOT STUFF visit my HOT STUFF page at www.carlyphillips.com!
Carly Phillips would like to take 100% credit for all her stories but the truth is, Carly’s strength is writing family, emotion, funky elderly people and animals. She couldn’t plot her way out of a paper bag, which is why she smartly found her plotmonkey pals early on in her writing career. Thanks to their support, Carly is now a NYT Bestselling author of 23 plus novels. Because writing doesn’t keep her busy enough, Carly is also a wife, a mother of one preteen and one teenage daughter, the primary care giver of her soft coated Wheaten terrier and an expert carpool mom.
ANOTHER WILD WEDDING NIGHT
Hard to Hold
Love Me If You Dare
Wild For Him
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I used to knit. Been thinking about taking it up again as a way to occupying my hands while watching tv. Never could do anything more than a scarf, though. Well, I have done baby blankets. Basically, it has to be square or rectangular. lol
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So far that’s me too. It remains to be seen if I progress or become the scarf lady!
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If you make scarves & you’ve outfitted your entire family & are still making scarves; give them to a shelter (battered womens’, homeless, Adult Care home, etc) or make them in subdued colors for soldiers stationed overseas (look up Operation Gratitude).
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I used to knit when I was a kid. Just scarves, mind you, but my great-great aunt taught me and it was enjoyable. Now, I pretty much read and Twitter. Sad that I’m so boring, but I enjoy myself *g*
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Hey no apologies. I did the same and loved it! The knitting just takes my mind off the writing career which is kinda nice every once in awhile!
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I love to knit. Your scarf looks beautiful. What kind of yarn are you using?
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Will check that and get back to you! It’s in the other room. I think next I want to do another scarf with ribbon or something light for spring.
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Julie, the yarn is – malabrigo – twist – http://www.malabrigoyarn.com
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That is really great yarn! Right now I’m cabling a scarf using baby grande alpacha, but I would love to do a project in Malabridgio.
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Last January my aunt came to Fl and she taught me how to cast on and a stitch I haven’t finished anything yet and need to sit down and see what I remember the good new is she is coming back to visit next week and she can help me :) I was suprised that I did learn what I did. My aunt is really good at kniting and crocheing she made my daughter many cute dresses wheb she was little.
I also just found author Heidi Betts I’m waiting for her new book knock me for a loop it is kniting and an athlete hero her website is cute lots of kniting a section that says must love yarn.
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Ooh I’ll have to check out Heidi’s site! Thanks.
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Congratulations on finishing your project. I have knitted in the past and crocheted and cross stitched but don’t really have a desire to go back to any of it except maybe cross stitching. I wouldn’t mind learning how to do needle point though.
I took up learning to play the harp a little over 2 years ago and that is what I do to relax. I played piano when I was a kid so reading music came back fairly easily.
Cher
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Wow, harp. Now THAT’S impressive!
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It’s fun and helps me creatively. I’ll upload a recording of me playing the harp sometime soon on my My Space page so you guys can take a listen.
Cher
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Hi Cher,
I would love to hear you play the harp. The music is so beautiful. Are you on Facebook? I’m not on MySpace.
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Yes, Donna I’m on Facebook as well. When I have time I’ll get my recording software going and try and figure out how to download something.
I’ll be sure and let everyone know when it’s up.
Cher
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Needlepoint is all one word. Sorry.
Cher
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Nobody’s checking spelling here. Promise! (I doubt I would have even known, LOL!)
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I can’t help myself.
Cher
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I would love to learn how to knit. I tried to teach myself last year, but could never figure out how to get started. A friend of my aunt has promised to teach me. We just have to figure out a time to get together. Right now my only hobbies are reading, facebook, and twitter.
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I think you need someone live in person showing you how they do it, watching you and catching your mistakes. It’s harder to self-teach I think. Especially when it’s your first time. I taught myself to bind off, but I already understood how to knit. I could never have learned knitting online or myself!
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I’m with Liza….one of the ladies in my MOMS club taught us how to crochet (it was part of our service project….we were making blankets for parents who had stillborn babies), but I realized I am uncrafty and can’t figure out how to make it. I would love to learn how to knit and would probably have to use one of those knitting machines.
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I don’t know how to Knit. Both of my grandmas tried to teach me when they were alive, but I LOVE to crochet. I love it so much I started my own little business. Everybody laughs because I named my business “Grandma Jen’s Crafts” and I am only 32. It was a nickname I got in college when I would crochet before going out to the frat parties.
I have to say I find it very relaxing. I have three kids 4,2 and 1. Crocheting and reading are the only things keeping my sanity some days. If I can make some “pin money” by selling some of my things all the better.
I do have my grandmothers knitting needles and I have a book Knitting for Dummies maybe I will try that someday.
The scarf looks great
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I used to knit. And do needlepoint and hook rugs. I fabric painted when that was a big deal– tee shirts, sweatshirts, jean jackets. I can even sew. Then I ran out of hours in the day. If I have a spare moment, I’d rather curl up with a good book. Love the muffler though! It would be handy today. It’s 12 degrees and a windchill somewhere south of zero. :snowguy: :meepcold:
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Yay, Carly! Any craftiness is good
As for knitting… I used to. I learned how in college, and like you and Kirsten, was limited to scarves. Square things – cell phone holders. I went a little crazy and made something like six scarves in 3 months – while taking a full course load with extra currics… and basically stopped.
I’ve been thinking about starting again, but I’m afraid I don’t even remember how to cast on. Oops.
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I am knitting challenged – LOL!! I have tried and tried in the past but just couldn’t get the hang of it. However, I am crafty in one area and that is cross stitch. I love to cross stitch and have made a few gifts for my mother. Right now I am working on a lighthouse afghan.
Beautiful scarf.
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Beautiful Carly! I tried once or twice as a kid, but I honestly have no dexterity in my hands. I can’t draw a straight line, much less try to knit one. Sigh. I’m truly envious!
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I’ve never knit but have crocheted when I was younger. My grandmother was extremely crafty/talented. She was a seamstress and made all of my clothes until I became a teenager. (Homemade clothes were unacceptable!) She taught me to sew, quilt and crochet. Haven’t done either of the later in years. But, my boys always had the best Halloween costumes because I made them!
Maybe after the oldest heads to college this fall I will have a little more free time! 
Tami
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I actually cross stitch. My mom has knitted me a scarf and a blanket (without a pattern) but I have no interest in it. Would take too much time away from my stitching!
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Whoo-hoo, Carly! Welcome to the world of the yarn-obsessed.
And thank you to Michele for the kind mention of my books. It’s true that I’ve written a trilogy of very sexy, very funny knitting romances (naked knitting, anyone?
) & that the third book will be out February 2nd. It is also true that I’ve got a knitting & all-things-yarn blog going called Must Love Yarn: http://www.heidibetts.com/MustLoveYarn/ You’re all welcome to drop by, of course. Altho…ignore today’s post; it’s a wrap-up to a thread that’s been running for a few months now. And also please forgive that fact that this month is going to be rather KNOCK ME FOR A LOOP intensive leading up to the book’s release. But when I’m not actively pimping myself every day, we do actually have some fun patterns & guest knitters & other knitting-related stuff going on.
And speaking of guest knitters…now that Carly is one of us, who thinks I should try to talk her into popping in for a visit?
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I do knit. I have this addiction to yarn and recently wanted to get rid of it all then found a group that is knitting scarves from “stash” yarn, so I took it all back. I recently finished a pair of socks for my son and now my mother-in-law wants a pair just like them. I need to use knitting as my reward, too.
Thanks for sharing your scarf!
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I’m at the point where it’s like, I can knit, I made an all knit, no pattern scarf with gorgeous yarn that changed color … NOW what and who helps/guides me, LOL!
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My Mom tried teaching me to knit many years ago. While I was with her so she could correct my mistakes or help me when I didn’t know what to do next I did fine. After coming back home (in another state) and without her help I got frustrated & finally gave it up. When my girls were small I learned to sew which I enjoyed a great deal. I made many of their clothes, took some sewing classes and learned to make lingere, panties, bras, nightgowns. I loved it. Life interfered and I have not sewn in many years. I no longer even have a sewing machine. My only hobby these days is reading. There is nothing like settling down with a good book. I do also enjoy baking & cooking. My biggest hobby is enjoying life now that I am retired. The Internet has made it so easy to be in touch here and other authors that I love to read.
Love the picture Carly, the scarf looks great. Enjoy knitting.
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Personally, I only knit on a loom. I have a friend who has offered to teach me to use needles (Carry of AutumnBreezeDesigns – listen to her podcasts, she’s funny), but I haven’t taken her up on it. So far, I’ve made a few scarves, in fact I just finished one, just in time for the weather to hit the teens, brrr. I made some wrist warmers (like fingerless gloves) the past month or so, too. I was part of a loom along for that.
My true fiber love though is tatting. I learned in college, put it down for awhile & then picked it back up again with a vengeance. I’ve made baby booties, jewelry, doilies, bun cover (for my hair), edgings, bookmarks, and the list just goes on & on. I’ve even been to a tatting convention.
I’ve also quilted, cross-stitched, sewed and embroidered. I keep returning to tatting, though.
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I love to knit. I started knitting about two years ago. I just can’t manage to finish projects. I’ve been working on a scarf for a friend of mine since 3 months after learning to knit. I’m almost halfway done now. But my New Years resolution is to finish all the projects I have started by the end of 2010.
Welcome to the group. We are a numerous group. Hope you enjoy finding a good LYS for helping you further your skills.
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LYS?
Learn Yourself? Or what am I missing, LOL!
Is there any place great online for a beginner that knows how to do a basic knit?
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Oh sorry. LYS= Local Yarn Store.
My favorite knitting help site is http://www.knittinghelp.com. They have amazingly clear videos.
I highly suggest you check out Ravelry. Its like a facebook for knitters, crochetters and other fiber lovers. There’s all sorts of help and information on there.
Another romance author who knits is Barbara Bretton. Her blog is Romancing the Yarn.
Hope you enjoy!
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Cat,
I’m on Ravelry, too! Just joined last month. I found a LYS just recently, and it’s terrible for me! Expensive, beautiful yarn I can’t afford, but I want to go in every day!
I’m romancechick over on Ravelry! Say hi!
Nancy
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I knit and I cross-stitch. I prefer the cross-stitching, but did knit a new scarf last winter in the space of a week. I can knit things that are more challenging if I give myself the time, but scarves are more forgiving (I have a tendency to sometimes grow stitches and other time drop stitches).
My grandmother, a right handed person, attempted to teach me, a left handed person, to knit but I just could get the hang of it and ultimately taught myself. We always assumed that I knitted lefthanded (due to someone helping in my girl scout troop saying I knitted differently) but a couple of years ago an experienced knitter told me that I do knit righthanded and even taught me how to purl – which meant there were a lot more patterns that I could try.
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I have never learned to knit. I always wanted too. Maybe that is something that I need to investigate.
Your story is very inspirational. Thanks for sharing your story. Mmaybe one day as a Friday prize. I would love a PINK scarf by you.
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I used to do a lot of crocheting. Haven’t done anything in years! Now I am a die-hard card maker and scrapbooking fan. I have been doing this for 5 years now and belong to a cardmaking club. Absolutely love it! We make 4 different cards every month. There are 12 of us and we eat, win prizes, talk and laught a lot! It is so much fun! You wouldn’t believe my collection of papers, stamps, inks, stickers, embellishemnts, etc! Enough to make cards for the rest of my life!
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I knitted for forty years, but arthritis has sidelined knitting and counted cross stitch as well.
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I have tried it and it’s amusingly tragic. I am like your daughter- knitting backwards- but I never seem to pick the needles up the same way. Sometimes I knit right, sometimes I knit lefy. It was the same way when I was in karate- I could spar eqally well from either side and never knew which one when I started.
i will stick to my stained glass and cross stitch. LOL
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I used to knit when I was a kid. you know the School’s work :) but then i just forgot about it till you asked here
one hobby that i discovered for the last one year, is baking !
now i love to bake. i just can’t recall why i’ve never thought about baking when i was a child/teen. ( i admit that i don’t want to go to kitchen to help my mom when i was a teen :) )
now, i can bake about 3 pan of brownies in a week !
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I absolutely love to knit! In fact, half of the presents I gave for Christmas this year were hand knit by me.
Margay
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I crochet, but it steals my creativity.
I need to be creative in some way. Dancing, singing, writing or crocheting – and when I’m focused on one avenue of expression, I don’t need the rest as much.
I have to be careful when I crochet and make sure it doesn’t steal my brainpower and I don’t start plotting the intricacies of making my fabric work more beautiful, instead of spending that brainpower on making my written work more interesting.