For example, last week I learned that infamous duelist Aaron Burr was the grandson of Jonathan "sinners in the hands of an angry God" Edwards. Monday I learned that Gen. Eric Shinseki, Barack Obama's pick for Sec. of Veteras Affairs was one of only 8 Vietnam combat amputees who returned to active duty.
And yesterday, I learned how to do the tubular cast-on. And oh it made me so happy. I even put off fixing myself the evening cocktail until almost 7pm so I would be stone-cold sober while working on it (recommended).
I feel like it was a reward of sorts, learning something new. For the last week or so, my next-door neighbor has gotten interested in learning to knit and I've been helping her out. It's been really fun and it reminded me of the time when I was picking up a new skill every time I cast on for a new project--knitting in the round, cables, colorwork-- whole new worlds open up.
But then the learning curve inevitably flattens out. I am not a master knitter by any standard, but I am comfortable with the basic and intermediate skills. So, when I come across something I missed, it's so fun.
I cast on for Eunny Jang's Endpaper Mitts. I'm using Lorna's Laces sportweight in blackberry and sunshine. After a tour of the blogosphere, I decided to learn a regular tubular cast-on rather than the Italian one she recommends. I tried the Italian version initially, but I could quickly see that I would run into many of the problems others had reported--it's hard for mere mortals to get an even edge. It's gorgeous. I love it. No one will ever know because it will be tucked into my coat, but I know. And it was fun.
Here is the tutorial I used.
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