There are times when it can be fun to flout the rules, but when knitting from a pattern isn’t one of them!
I enjoy knitting. It’s calming, it keeps my hands busy and out of the biscuit barrel (most of the time) and there is something so satisfying in producing something useful like a blanket or garment.
That’s why I was excited to see the pattern for a dinosaur hoodie in the “Friend” recently. It was fun, practical and – what clinched it for me – it was described as easy.
Not that I can’t tackle cable stitches and the like, but I have a big failing – I don’t always follow the pattern. An exciting scene comes on the TV screen; I sit in too little light and guess stitch counts; I fret the item is coming up too big and start trying to adapt it to fit . . .
All knitting sins, and I can almost feel the draught of air from readers out there shaking their heads at me. And with reason – I once tried four times to knit gloves from a 1937 “People’s Friend” and ended up with four left-handed gloves each time I sewed them up! Even our very talented, VERY patient Craft Editor, Liz, couldn’t work out how I managed that.
So Liz drummed it in to me. I must, must, must follow the pattern exactly. I listened and obeyed. And here is the result: a cosy, colourful dinosaur hoodie for my great-nephew Archie. Though I suspect it’s too big for him, his mummy and daddy can put it by till he’s older. I’m so pleased, I may try to make another in the smallest size.
Or I might even attempt the pretty little cardigan on page 73 of the “Friend” this week. “Little Charmer” looks adorable, and I’m sure I can knit it . . . as long as I stick to the pattern!
Margaret Scott Margaret is a sub-editor within the Production Team on the "Friend". Her main job is to work on the stories and make sure the magazine leaves us in its best possible guise. When not doing that, however, she either has her head buried in the old “Friend” volumes or is out and about giving talks or going on Warner trips (fab!). She hates cheese.
