I’m volunteering to work at my LYS, The Alameda Yarn Company. The owner, Gail, is having surgery, and her Thursday night regulars are pitching in while she recovers. So I’m running the shop for a day, which means I get to enjoy an eight-hour shift of guilt free knitting.
Sharon meets me at the shop at 10AM sharp. She knits at the shop from open to close three days a week. She likes to knit HATS and she’s fast!
Several other people stop in to say hello, get help with a pattern, or to buy some yarn. Some stay, knit awhile and shoot the breeze. Gail’s regulars come by for word on her well-being. I think our knits and purls are like prayers.
Donna is knitting a very blue kimono sweater and tells me all about her THREE sock knitting machines. I want one! I’m making big plans to knit flashy socks for the Silicon Valley boys when I hear this.
Donna’s friend, Nancy, also likes to knit hats. She brings in a big bag of scrap fabric to give away, but the scraps are too small. I say, “Throw them out!” but the other women tell me how they come from a generation where, “You just don’t throw things away even if they have the smallest potential for use.” I say, “Our time is more valuable these days.” They shrug and agree. No one takes the scraps.
The day is flying by. I’ve made about 5 inches progress on both the left and right side of my green sweater. Mostly it’s been a warm wonderful day of guilt free knitting…
except for the fact that I couldn’t resist buying this marigold colored yarn for my stash!
I agree, knitting is a kind of meditation. And what beautiful yarn you bought, no way you could have resisted!
Thanks for easing my guilt Blandina! Have a lovely day in Florence!
I love your photographs on your post – it’s almost as if I can see the motion of the knitting needles. Did you use the instagram ap on your camera phone?
(Of course, LOVE the knit and purl prayers – )
Thanks! Yes I used the Instagram App with my camera phone. They came out so nice. My camera phone isn’t so hot on it’s own.
I like your thought that knits and pearls are like prayers-lovely post!
seems like a lovely way to spend a day! and, gosh, there are scraps that are too small? never!
I should send them to you! But the postage wouldn’t be worth it. They are dress making scraps. Lots of stretchy and slippery stuff cut on the bias… scraps left over from making a piece of clothing.
what a coincidence… yesterday i started a part-time job at a yarn shop. it’s slow right now because people don’t like to knit here when it’s 90+ degrees, but looking forward to it being busy in the fall and winter.
You’re so lucky! I would love to have a part time job at a yarn store! Except I would spend my paycheck in trade. Do you get a discount?