tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043113942704297697.post5282635373656411157..comments2023-10-10T10:08:26.098-04:00Comments on Carolina Knits: Knitting: A Spouse's Handbook Liz Washburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301166562236914187noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043113942704297697.post-38688186192193795462013-02-18T04:03:07.168-05:002013-02-18T04:03:07.168-05:00Absolutely hillarious (and I'm enjoying the on...Absolutely hillarious (and I'm enjoying the ongoing domestic 'love-in' from the Tittlemouses too!) I'd also like to add my tuppence worth - although it may seem that it's an expensive hobby - particularly if you are a knitter who is irredeemably in love with Rowan yarns - in the long run it's quite economical. Knitted jumpers, especially for growing boys and grown-up men, will last much longer and be much warmer than anything shop - bought and they can be handed down the line (see my post 'A personal history of knitting Part 1'). Most knitters are not the type to spend oodles of money on clothes, make-up and hair salons which I'm sure cost a lot more than a few balls of yarn. Knitting is one of those skills which is so much more useful and long-lasting than so many other ephemeral talents we promote these days - knitting will clothe you just as cooking will feed you. And in this country, I firmly believe that we have to continue to support the wool trade as that's what's kept us going throughout history - sheep are environmentally friendly and entirely renewable - a much better source of renewable material than anything man-made or petro-chemical related. My secret dream is not to have a yarn shop (although that's a close second) but to have a herd of merinos and alpacas! Great post. love Judy.Judy Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04135432482969136086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043113942704297697.post-79803539289707672472013-02-08T14:35:35.182-05:002013-02-08T14:35:35.182-05:00Of course, what Mrs Tittlemouse hasn't told yo...Of course, what Mrs Tittlemouse hasn't told you is the reciprocal collateral damage of having a husband who has similar creative impulses, but with less user-friendly materials. She has to tolerate brass shavings, plastic shims, nickel silver shards and the all-consuming aroma of cellulose car body-filler delicately scenting the house. On balance, I think she is the more tolerant and accepting! Looking forward very much to meeting you in the Summer - already pumping up the car tires to cope with the additional yarn loadings that she tells me are on the way!<br /><br />David (Mr TT)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03882057640089685575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043113942704297697.post-48388750173227129622013-02-08T04:13:14.922-05:002013-02-08T04:13:14.922-05:00Dear Liz this did make me smile! You write very pe...Dear Liz this did make me smile! You write very perceptively about what is going on in the heart and head of a keen knitter! (or crocheter for that matter!) and that of their spouses! If it's any consolation I too am married to a "saint" who patiently puts up with my excesses and eccentricities. Occasionally I feel a bit bad about this but when I express that to him the answer I get is he'd be bored with someone more 'user friendly"! Being around creativity is definitely not boring but can be energising and invigorating even if the particular form of creativity isn't a shared one. And the shadow side is that if a creative person has their creativity stifled or repressed, a lot of unhappiness and stress can build up with quite negative impact on relationships in the vicinity. So I would add to your handbook for spouses the recommendation that "it may drive you up the wall occasionally but do not under any circumstances try to curtail what may be keeping your knitting / crocheting spouse "alive" in every sense and "well" in senses that you may not immediately be aware of." Of course the credit card thing is a point to consider - still can't believe how much this yarn stuff costs! Especially for lovers of Noro, like you and me! So my other addition would be to say to spouses worrying about yarn expenditure is "set a monthly yarn budget (on no account forbid purchases as this makes the addict go underground!) and do not even consider buying anything other than yarn store vouchers for birthdays, anniversaries or Christmas! Which will save you a lot of hassle and effort that the spouses of non-knitters or crocheters rack their brains with several times a year." Marie Antoinette? I am afraid I might take that as a compliment! Didn't know she was a prolific knitter - how fascinating! Are you sure your husband can't accompany you in the summer? I think he might find a kindred spirit here! E xxThomasina Tittlemousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01574272724724663796noreply@blogger.com