Growing up, my mom almost always had either a sewing or cross-stitch project going on. There were often little bits of embroidery floss on the arm of the couch where she sat (something my brothers used for evil during a memorable late-night viewing of "Arachnophobia".) When I was probably 8 or 9, I decided I wanted to learn to cross-stitch, and the first thing I ever did was a bookmark that said, "I ♡ Dad" for a Father's Day gift.
I have dabbled in this hobby all my life, though I do it pretty much exclusively for gifts rather than for the joy of the task. I like being able to give something handmade and unique, but I find some aspects of cross-stitching frustrating enough that I don't make anything for myself. This was made especially clear to me in 2019, when I made Christmas gifts for my coworkers and spent WEEKS on an incredibly detailed and dense "Game of Thrones" project for one of them. (He loved it, so I suppose it was worth it.)
Anyway, cross-stitch requires a lot of focus and attention, so it's a hard thing to do while watching TV, for instance. (I usually have something on, but it must be something I know well, as I end up listening more than watching.) So several years ago I told my mom that I wanted to learn how to knit, and she got me this book for Christmas. At the time, I read enough to grasp knitting and purling (more or less) and then I promptly put it down and forgot about it; I haven't picked up my needles since.
This time I did read the whole thing, and found it interesting enough that I might pick it up again and really put some effort into it. Like cross-stitch, it would be a nice way to make unique gifts for people; unlike cross-stitch, I may learn to look away from my hands, and probably won't jab myself with the needle a lot. (Though it IS me and I am just stupidly clumsy, so if there's a way, I will definitely find it.)
Author(s): Pam Allen, Tracy L. Barr and Shannon Okey
Potentially objectionable content: You...might be insulted by the title?
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