With having a second car to go where I want when I want, I was thinking a lot about the knitting classes I've wanted to take for ages. But with the cost of a new car, we really can't afford that right now. So I figured I'd try to learn on my own. I've learned most things in my life that way, but I thought knitting would be in the same category as typing - something to do with my hands that I just can't get without a little instruction. But it was worth a shot.

So on Shawn's day off we went to the library and checked out two books (one on knitting, one on crochet), then to K-Mart to look at yarn and needles. Unfortunately, K-Mart's craft section these days consists of two endcaps. So we tried Wal-Mart. Which is undergoing renovation and most of their craft section is in shambles. But we found two giant balls of (crappy) yarn for cheap for me to practice with. We eventually ended up at Jo-Ann's for needles, and I got a couple cheaper sets - 3 knitting, 5 crochet.

I sat down with needles and yarn and book that night, and found the book wasn't what I hoped - and found a really good tutorial on the Lion Brand site. Within a couple hours I had a general hang of casting on and the garter stitch. My stitches were way too tight and I kept having to rip out after 4 rows or so, but I think I've got that sorted.

I'm still crap, obviously - I've got purl stitch and ribbing and a million other things to learn, but I'm pleased with myself and what I've gotten done so far. I just gave up on the mess that was my first square, taught myself binding off, realized I need to buy a yarn needle, and decided to use it as a cat toy or potholder rather than toss it.

Next I start making another square (several of them, actually), that will hopefully be better, to send to Warm Up America. If anyone would like to begin a WUA group, local or long-distance, just email at the link on the sidebar. Until then, I'll just be sending in individual pieces.