Burning Question

I have a mind for useless information.  Zip codes, phone numbers, etc.  One thing that has stuck in my mind is a question I was asked during the interview for this job (yes, the job that I now complain of very frequently).  It was the only time I have ever been asked this question, and it pops up and rolls around in my head every once in a while (kind of like a cold sore - never really going away, always lurking beneath the surface to rear its ugly head).  But it's a good question, so I shouldn't really put that nasty spin on it.

Actually, it was two separate questions:

What are your hobbies?

What have you learned from them?

The first part of the question was easy.  I love to knit.  I love to go offroading in my Jeep.  I love to cook and bake.

The second part of the question I had to stop and think about.  What have I learned from my hobbies?  What does knitting teach me?  How about offroading?  Or cooking, for that matter?

Cooking - mistakes can sometimes be disastrous but they can sometimes be recovered and in the recovery process, perhaps you find something new or better, or easier and faster.  Plus cooking feeds my family.  Plus there are always new things to explore (and that, actually, applies to all of my hobbies -- there are always new things to explore).

Offroading - having been perched precariously on top of rocks or door-deep in mud, offroading has taught me that it is okay to go outside of my comfort zone. 

Knitting - teaches me that endurance and perseverance pays off, mistakes can be corrected (or covered up!), and that it only takes one thread (pun intended) to form a common bond. 

Knitting has opened up worlds for me.  Most of my "inner circle" of friends are Knitters.  I've been to places I wouldn't have otherwise gone, with the hope of finding the perfect yarn.  There is humor (Franklin, and the Yarn Harlot, to name two).  There is comaraderie (knit nights, Maryland Sheep & Wool, Rhinebeck, my LYS).  There is learning (oh, there is learning).  There is patience.  There is solitude, and there is gratification.  But mostly, for me, it is the friends.  How empty my life would be without my friends - and I'd like to thank you all for being here and putting up with me. 

Enough of the waxing poetic!  How about some fiber content?

I finally(!!) finished those last 5 rows of Chart B on the Norwegian Woods Shawl.  I am now on to Chart C, which is an awful lot of yarn overs.  No, I didn't start Chart C yet...I looked at it, said uhhhhh, and put it away for a day or two.  Maybe this weekend.  We shall see.  In the meantime, you can see what I've accomplished:

   

I'm also on to the front of the bodice of the Hey, Teach sweater, which I have dubbed Lesson Two, as this is the second time I'm knitting the pattern.

      For those of you familiar with the pattern, yes, I am rebelling by having knit the sleeves before the bodice fronts, and by knitting the bodice fronts at the same time (this is a bit of an undertaking, keeping straight which side is which, but I am not regretting this choice...yet.). 

So tell me...what have your hobbies taught you?

 

Comments

[Jenn]

They ask that question because they want to know your transferable skills. I learned that at a workshop last week. Same reason why some think you should put hobbies and interests on your resume, it gives you a chance to show off transferable skills.

[Sarah]

I've learned that I'm much less likely to strangle annoying/dumb people if I have knitting in my hands. ;-)

[sophanne]

What a great post. Also pull one common thread and the whole thing can fall apart!

[Amanda]

Of all my art hobbies over the last 4 decades, I've learned that I like the cleanest one the best: knitting - very little prep required, transportable, and most times instant gratification. I have also learned that being anal doesn't pay...literally. Used to make and sell journals - way too much time in the making, didn't get paid for my time.

[Kim]

You said it better than I ever could about what knitting has taught me. I tend to be an introvert but knitting just breaks down my walls and has brought so many friends into my life. Like you!
My other main hobby, although it has taken a backseat to knitting, is junking/antiquing. It's taught me to always be on the alert, (for treasure) to expect the unexpected, and that the hunt/journey is a huge part of the fun.
I can hardly wait to see Norwegian Woods blocked and on ya! It's so gorgeous.

[Daniele]

Wonderful projects! I especially love the blue.

I'm not sure what my hobbies are teaching me over the years, other than the actual hobby itself. I'm weird that way.. But I am learning to play nice with others!!! :)

[Robin]

Hey Teach looks really great!!

Great question - my hobbies have taught me so much. I started knitting in 2005 and it has taught me to be less of a perfectionist - that small mistakes really don't matter in the grand scheme of things. It also taught me to be able to sit still and relax - something I was never good at. Sewing is a more recent thing, having really gotten totally going with it last year but having done it on and off since about 2003. That has taught me that RTW clothes aren't really a perfect fit for anyone, and that there's nothing wrong with *me* because of it. I learned what a perfect fit really is, and how to achieve it for myself, and feel great in my clothes the way I never did before.

[Mary Beth]

Knitting is one of two potentially social hobbies I do (scrapbooking is the other.) I've had other hobbies over the years, but I tend to like the ones where you can do them in community with others. I lean toward being an introvert & knitting has taught me to reach out of myself & give back to my fellow knitter..aka teaching. I love challenges that knitting can represent (most of the time! :)It has grown me in many ways.

Love your Norwegian Woods shawl so far. Great blue!