Q: "Is the cello hard to learn?"
A: "Not hard to learn. It's about pulling and pushing a bow. If learning gives you pleasure, and you can get pleasure from the sound, you can progress. It depends on your attitude and how resilient you are to figure out what you need to do to create a sound that's pleasing."
--Twitter Q&A with master cellist, Yo-Yo Ma
I have had quite a few people ask me to teach them to knit or crochet over the years. While I am a trained teacher with a Bachelor of Education, I have never really been all that keen, nor all that good at teaching people how to play with string like I do. It's not that I lack patience, and it's not that I am unwilling to share. It has more to do with the fact that I don't know how to communicate what it is that drives me to keep trying, to keep experimenting, to be ok with ripping out several hours of work over and over again. It was really only when I happened to read that quote from Yo-Yo Ma that I started to understand how someone learns: you have to find pleasure in learning, and you have to be willing enough to figure out what you need to do to create something pleasing.
Case in point: I am slowly trudging my way through a crochet garment right now. Crochet garments are not my forte, as my gauge can be inconsistent due to the fact that I knit more often. I have had experiences where I have worked through an entire garment only to find it unwearable at the end. It's been enough to put me off even trying, but this pattern was cute enough to make me give it another go.
I'm working on the Floral Tapestry Top by NT Maglia. I read through the pattern and looked at the pattern schematic and there were a couple of things that made me a bit apprehensive:
- The top looks short on the model. I do not wear short tops.
- The schematic showed a finished length I was not sure I would be comfortable wearing.
- My crochet gauge is undependable, to say the least (see above). How could I make it work?
In the end, I decided to go for it and make a larger size and see what happened. That turned out to be a really good decision because, as predicted, my gauge was small and I ended up with the size I originally wanted to make in the first place. That was more luck than actual skill:
My next problem was that the chart requires concentration and a good way to track what row you're on. After several bits of cut up Post-Its and a discussion with a friend, it was decided that an impromptu purchase of Highlighter Tape from my hometown LYS Wolesley Wool was in order. A couple of days later, I had a bulk supply of this sanity-saving stuff (plus an extra set of circs just because):
I even had the wit to draw an arrow on it so that I could remember which direction I am working in if I take a break. I know, smart eh?
It's going pretty well so far, though I am not a fan of the method used for increasing for the sleeves. I am quite enamored by the floral design, particularly when I set it down and step back to get the full effect:
My current problem is that the sizing is all messed up, both due to my tight gauge and the already suspiciously short dimensions. This means that I've totally thrown out all of the instructions regarding when the increases should have occurred and when to work the neckline. I'm winging it, y'all. I also think I might drop the front neckline a bit, just for a nicer fit and more flattering effect. I reckon I've worked at least 20 extra rows at this stage.
It's been a tad frustrating, but I am actually pretty pleased with it. I mean, I'd much rather sit and scratch my head and re-do things a few times to get a garment that fits than to blindly work through a project only to get a boob-toob at the end. And I am certainly NOT quitting... I've discovered that I really like this kind of colourwork. I find it much easier than fair-isle or stranded colourwork, and the effect is so striking that I can see myself experimenting with making my own charts at some stage...
At SOME stage. Not right now. I like learning and all, but this is enough for now.
Right, I'm off. I'm gonna finish the front of this top today come hell or high water... just as soon as I can get up from under this guy:
Have a great week!
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