Alive & Knitting

As a knitter, I find symmetry deeply pleasing. I like when cables mirror each other, for example, or when the variegation works out just right. I like my self-striping socks to match perfectly. I can be fairly compulsive about making this happen, despite the yarn and the pattern’s opinions to the contrary.

Similarly, with writing, I like when circles close. I like when the ending scene echoes the opening scene. I like when a recurring element gets revisited in perfect balance – once at the beginning, once in the middle, once at the end – leading to a different result each time. When I read my page proofs and the structural details are there, it always makes me smile. I am compulsive with my writing, as well, independent of what the characters might prefer.

Sometimes you have to wrestle these things into place, either in the knitting or in the writing. Sometimes they struggle. Sometimes symmetry and balance is difficult to achieve. It’s always worth the battle because the result is so much more polished.

But sometimes, the gods of knitting or writing smile down upon you and symmetry happens for free.

Like this:

These are the days to buy lottery tickets.

I decided to experiment with the Evangeline fingerless glove pattern, just to get a better idea of quantities required per pair, the time they would take to knit, etc. Also, I had a need for a project that would be quickly completed. I just cast on and knit, then decided partway along that 4 repeats was too short and 9 was too long. I chose to knit 7 repeats while in the middle and much to my surprise the variegation of the wool came out PERFECTLY.

It couldn’t have been better planned. Isn’t that exciting? FREE symmetry. Wow. I should knit something huge and complicated while this kind of luck is with me – or plot a six-book series, or even buy a lottery ticket – but instead, I’ll keep writing the mip and knit the other glove.

There isn’t one join in that yarn – which is, btw, Patons SWS in Natural Violet, just in case you feel the need to make yourself a pair.

Isn’t it scary that I’ve started holiday knitting already?! On the upside, it gives me more time to procrastinate over finishing projects. Have you started yet?

What do you think about symmetry? Do you pursue it too, or is that a little too OCD for you?

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts. I think it’s pretty unanimous that we like fingerless mitts!

But I’m wondering whether there’s enough data to make solid conclusions. Is this a gender based preference. or does Mr. C. represent an entire segment of society, male and female, who do not get fingerless gloves? Hmmm. Gina’s son’s inclinations are ambiguous – he asked for fingerless gloves, then misplaced them. What a mixed message. We need more data.

Here’s the plan. I’m going to finish Mr. C.’s fingerless gloves and see whether they change his mind. If you have men in your life who might need fingerless gloves, knit them a pair and give it a try.

We’ll compare notes in the fall. I’ll put it in the queue for November 1. Until then, I can knit fingerless gloves for the chix on my holiday gift list.

My current fave choices btw are Evangeline which was e-published in MagKnits (which is gone, but maybe you – like me – snagged the pattern before the site disappeared. Maybe it’s on Ravelry now. Hmm. It is, but if you’re not a member, you can’t see it. Hmm. Here’s a post from the designer on her blog, but her link still goes to MagKnits so won’t work. At least you can see the short version!) There’s also two patterns on Knitty.com – Fetching for women and Dashing for men. The Pam had a free pattern from the Lion Brand yarns site, too. Pam?

I always feel better when I have a plan. How about you?