…I just crafted my first Barbie leg warmer. Ok, so it’s not actually a leg warmer. But if I stitched one end of my new knitting endeavor to the other, it could be [Insert imagination here]. Let’s back track…

My mom, being the clever and wonderful mother that she is, sent us a care package via one of our teams a few weeks ago. It’s contents: two crossword puzzle books, a logic puzzle book, a “Deal or No Deal” scratch-and-play game book, a host of my favorite granola bars, 20 DVDs for our perusal and entertainment, four skeins of lovely yarn, two new knitting needles and a Better Homes and Gardens book of knitting for beginners. Undoubtedly, Jason is getting the biggest kick out of our recently-expanded DVD collection–an asset on many-a-night in our cozy  bedroom at the good old seminary. I, on the other hand, am having all kinds of fun tying myself into knots and learning how to make something new and exciting out of a ball of string.

Now, to be completely honest, this is not my first stab at knitting. (Stab and knitting are probably not best used in the same sentence, are they?) The first time I learned to knit was in college, and I was taught alongside a number of other people in a “knitting circle,” if you will. I think I remembered my new skill and could duplicate it with confidence for about three weeks. The second time around, my Aunt Nancy had the patience to teach me a spot or two about crocheting. Although not the same craft, it also involved yarn and needles. Again, I retained my weaving prowess for a pathetic amount of time.

So on this, the third occasion of my attempt to learn and create something new using only two sticks and some cleverly dyed fuzzy stuff, I have committed to seriously studying and teaching myself the fine art of knitting. Jokes aside, I’m really kind of excited to have created something long enough (and warm enough) to keep Barbie cozy in the winter. And although it’s 80 and sunny here in Johannesburg these days, I’ve got plenty of yarn to knit myself into quite the toasty (and if I might add, stylish) Autumn when we return back to the states. I’ve always loved scarves, and being that they consist of a straight line (no curves or fancy measuring techniques required), I’m pretty sure I’ll be ready when September, October, November roll around again.

Not the most earth shattering of developments to blog about from the other side of the world? I know, I know. But as I was sitting here (or rather, knitting here) tonight, I considered just how long it had been since my last post, and just how much I promised a few months ago that there would be more of me reporting in the days ahead. So here we are. Days ahead. And I’m learning to knit and blogging on a warm, African summer evening, with Barbie long packed away and no scarf-wearing days even remotely in sight. Not bad. Not bad at all.

This post was originally blogged on 24 February 2008 @ 11:14pm from Johannesburg, South Africa