Thursday, June 24, 2010

I honour her

A woman, especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can.  ~ Jane Austen

Before I give an account of the fantastical event that occurred a mere five days ago, I must start with another quote, This one by Aeschylus (whoever the heck that is...)
It is in the character of very few men to honor without envy a friend who has prospered.

I therefore declare to any person who may read this, that it is not with envy or jealousy that I share this story with you, it is rather, with wonderful admiration that I honour my friend and you by sharing this very honourable, amazing tale.

It began with a phone call.

My dearest friend calling to inform me that she was planning on learning how to crochet at our next knitting club meeting, and she thought I should learn along with her. We have a fairly experienced crocheter in our club and my friend, let's call her Bremily, planned to ask our fellow club member how to crochet.

Why? I asked her, we are having so much fun knitting and are both equally awesome at it. Bremily then informs me that whilst searching for a pattern on ravelry she forgot to specify the type of craft and came across a baby hat pattern that she fell in love with, the only hitch, it was for crocheting. I think to myself, sure, perhaps it is time to acquire a new talent for my list of accomplishments. I did crochet two blankets when I was fourteen, perhaps it won't be too hard to pick it up again.  I mention this to Bremily and she also admits to having learned a long long time ago, although adding  "I for sure don't remember anything"  

The appointed night for our monthly knitting club meeting arrives. Bremily comes armed with practice yarn, crochet hooks and the pattern for her beloved baby hat. Before our fellow twisted stitcher has even explained to us the crocheting basics, Bremily is off in the corner, chaining away. What is chaining you, or any other normal person with no recollection of how to crochet might ask? Well it is like 'casting on' in knitting, something I re-learned that night.

As the night goes the picture is very different between the two of us that are there 'learning' how to crochet. 

I am continuously pulling out and starting again, crocheting (and I use that term very loosely) a few rows here, try going circular for the top of a hat there, seeing if I can even make a few straight rows here. Ending the night with nothing to show for my hours of looping and chaining and pulling and pushing, except for the mangled yarn I have been using and reusing over and over. THIS is what a normal person may experience when learning a new craft.

Bremily, however is anything but normal, she is a prodigy! With only three or four questions to our expert friend she masterfully creates a perfectly flawless beautiful crocheted baby hat WITH a flower to attach on. You must comprehend this is no ordinary baby hat, or woman for that matter. It is not simply a straight round crocheted had, it has an adorable pattern with an exquisite flower attached that she created right there before my confounded eyes.

It is here therefore that I honour her, that while "for sure" not remembering anything she was able to create one of the cutest baby hats I have ever beheld. She is and should be an inspiration to all. For those people struggling out there, with the looping and the chaining and the frustrations of learning a new skill or craft, know this... some people just get it, and some people don't.

For those who get it, they can bask in the knowledge that they are awesome talented people and go on to make awesomely talented creations.

To the others I say, go home, watch about a hundred youtube videos, practice practice and practice and you may be able to reach the elevated level of skill those surrounding you posses. Then show up to your next knitting meeting with you own awesomely talented creation and do a little dance while waving it in their face.

Here is a picture to showcase the amazing talent that Bremily possess to create and follow such a beautiful and complicated pattern.

1 comment:

  1. You are so sweet and funny. But you should know that I am secretly SO jealous of your amazing knitting skills! you are the best. obviously.

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