As if my strident stance on software wasn’t enough to make people wrinkle their nose I’m standing on the edge and leaning forward to dive into the world of knitting. Growing up I enjoyed many a hand crafted item from my mother’s industrious needles, from hats to gloves, and scarves to sweaters. When I was younger I took it for granted, it was just something my mother did and often I expected to receive at least one sweater a year never thinking about the time, energy, or even the cost of the yarn–spoiled and entitled. As her arthritis has gotten worse her output has diminished and it has been years since I got a sweater at Christmas or on my birthday. Now, my sweater jones is climbing up my back.

This weekend I spent talking to my mother-in-law (Manager-In-Law?) about how to get started–the requisite who, what, where, how sort of thing. She was excited that someone in the family was showing an interest, neither of her daughters have and inclination to pick up the needles, and thought it was nice that I would pick up a hobby that might entail less time in front of a monitor. However, my confession did bring some sideways glances from Management and certainly a guy knitting is not a common site but the idea that I can make sweaters that are a Frankenstein blend of my favorites has me eager to jump in to experiment with hoods and thumb holes (90% of my time my hands are up in the sleeves like I’m still 6) or better yet some nice skullcaps for my shiny head.

So where to start? Well, the M-Law, my mom (if she can get of the shock), and I are going to cruise down to the local yarn shop to scope out materials for my first project, a baby blanket like this nice Hoover blanket. After that, I might just be ready to tackle a simple sweater and maybe I’ll get skilled enough to make some sock monkeys. If anything, we won’t be hurting for scarves around this house.