It's soothing.
It doesn't require large tools or supplies that take up a lot of space... the tools are small and the supplies are soft and can fit almost anywhere.
It can be done down below, in the cockpit, or even in the dinghy.
The experienced practitioner can do it while enjoying the view, the sunshine, or the ambiance at anchor. (But not while drinking wine - Jane has received more than one KUI.)
And really, when you think on it, a knitted sock is exactly a very complicated knot. There should be no surprise therefore that many old salts in the age of sail knitted.
But the best part about knitting aboard is that the product keeps you warm. Like the firewood you split yourself, it keeps you warm twice over - because it is made of luscious heavy wool, but more importantly because it is absolutely filled to the brim and overflowing with love.
That green sock that Jane is starting above is the first of a pair to replace a pair that I plumb wore out. But never fear - I still have another pair of love socks, in a kind of rusty fall color.
And I have a wonderful, heavy cable-knit fisherman's sweater that is just the thing to wear under foulies on a cold day when the temperature is in the 40's and the wind is howling.
Boy does it keep me warm.
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2 comments:
My 26 year old son has recently taken up knitting. For the last week or so, I've been busy with a sewing machine and sewing awl repairing a headsail. Between us, we seem to have invaded what has traditionally been the domain of women. For a while last Saturday, while we both sat around home working on our projects, we looked for all the world like a sewing or knitting circle. Such useful skills! I should have started this sort of thing long ago.
Rick -
Sadly, I have not the patience to do knitting.
But I agree that male/female stereotypes have kept too many men from pursuing sewing projects.
bob
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