Getting my knit on

A few years ago, I bought the book Stitch 'N Bitch, and taught myself to knit from it. I didn't get very far. I got to where I could knit and purl, made a practice swatch with a garter stitch, stockinette, ribbing, and seed stitching. I made a little sweater for a stuffed animal. Then I thought I'd make myself a little scarf out of eyelash yarn, but the eyelash yarn kicked my ass. I restarted that one I don't know how many times, and never finished. I came to the conclusion that I didn't have the patience for knitting. When I make something, I want to see the finished results QUICKLY. I don't have months to dedicate to ONE project. That's why I sew, and bead, and build stuff. And so, I abandoned knitting.

But Cassy's party gave me serious knitting fever. Everyone (well, not literally everyone, but a good number of them) was working on such lovely projects! And I needed to knit. I decided I'd buy some good yarn, and actually make something. A scarf. A scarf can't take TOO long, right? Earlier this week I went to a crafty store and looked at the yarn. I picked a red wool, and found it was even on sale. Woohoo! Bought some new bamboo needles, too, since I was pretty sure I didn't have the size I wanted at home.

Yesterday I spent a few hours getting myself reacquainted with the book and with knitting. Today I dove into my project. I'm going to make myself a red scarf, in a 'basketweave' pattern. I cast on 45 stitches. I started with 15 rows of seed stitch, then did: 5 seed (that is to say, 1k, 1p, 1k, 1p, 1k), 7 knit, 7 purl, 7 knit, 7 purl, 7 knit, 5 seed. And of course swap the knits and purls on the next row, etc. I think I am just about at the point where there areas are squares so I will start doing the opposite. I'll decide that tomorrow. And also, I am really happy that I started with the seed stitch, because plain knitting or purling positively flies by in comparison! Incidentally, I got this pattern idea from Crazy Aunt Purl's blog. Once I saw it, I knew I wanted to try to make it! Here's a shot of what I've done so far:

I am pleased, so far.