Err, me.
Been knitting for about a year now. I enjoy it greatly. Even when I hate it. I’ve been thinking about it a lot as time goes past. What do I want to do with my knitting? Do I want to be a sweater maker? Churn out lace? Do complex patterns? Design?
I’m not sure. Worse, I’m conflicted. I see works all over the ‘Net by folks who completely blow me away with their talent. In all cases I appreciate the work but in a strangely large percentage, I don’t care for it. I’ve been trying to pinpoint why. Is it a subconscious thing where I decide I don’t like it because I don’t think I could ever do it and am, therefore, jealous? That might be part of it but then, it is really a matter of two stitches done in different orders and ways. I suppose that I could. If I wanted to and usually, I don’t.
So I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m an old fart and prefer…”classic”. Or stodgy. Or anything that is definitely “not hip” (for example, I just don’t “get” some of the amazingly clever and talented stuff I see on, say, Craftster. ). Me? I love a beautifully executed scarf. Or a simple, classic sweater (although I do admit that Aran sweaters cause me to get all tingly but then, I’d call them “classic”.). An afghan one can burrow into for years? That’s my idea of “worthy”.
I was saying that I didn’t like anything that wasn’t “useful” but I realised that’s so subjective that it just doesn’t cover what I feel. To me a lacey scarf or shawl is about as “useless” as it gets and that is ONLY because of how I live and who I am. Lace and I are not acquainted nor will we likely ever be. It’s just not “me”. When I see things like this from the Yarn Harlot I absolutely think it’s gorgeous. But not something I would ever, ever use. If I took the time to make that it’d sit, carefully wrapped, somewhere forever or until I found someone else who would use it and I don’t know of anyone else who would. To me a shawl should be something to keep you warm on a winter’s evening whilst…knitting! Or to toss on when you run out to the mailbox or to let the dog out. Not something so gossamery (probably not a word, but meh) or lovely that I’d have to have hysterics if someone even came near me whilst wearing it.
I’m a simple person who can admire (deeply) the works of those for whom the delicacy and beauty of intricate patterns, yarns and designs is a goal. But for what I want in my life, coming from my needles? Sturdy, down-to-earth, practical.
And I can always see the beauty others create whilst I am snug in my stodgy, practical stuff. 
Knit on, folks, there’s beauty in all of it!
I taught myself to knit about a year ago, and I feel the same way about some things I see….sometimes I’m like
just cause you COULD knit it doesn’t mean you SHOULD……but I would never tell someone else that because of all the hard work they put into it…..but between you & I sometimes I do think it……….and then shame myself for being so ‘uppy’ about others work…LOL
I just wish that I could knit as well as I type…I’d so be knitting………More and more and more……..it seems like I want to KNIT everything & I don’t have the time..or the money for the yarn!
I hear you on the wanting to knit everything and not having the time or money. Well, I’ve kind of got the time (retired) but there isn’t enough money in the world to support my habit. Heh. Especially since I have this awfully champagne taste thing going in yarns.
I was just browsing through a site with a lot of patterns and I was just boggled by some of the things I saw. Not in a million years would I but I sure do respect that someone saw the merit and spent a great deal of time doing the pieces.
Then again, I’m sure some folks would look at my work and say “be adventurous”.
Mmm hmmm. When someone gives me the yarn and/or money to do so, I might give it a go.
Di