I’m finished!

Back in September, 2007 I started a project, knitting a book bag.  This began when I visited Durango with two dear friends.  I was bored, and my childhood friend, Cindy, suggested that I start to knit again.

We combed more than 10 thrift shops in Durango and Albuquerque and found wonderful bags of wool yarn and knitting needles.  I scored about $400 worth of beautiful wool yarn - all different colors and textures for less than $15.  Now I have enough yard to complete many projects.

I started using bright colors on this book bag since I wanted something to remind me of the spectacular scenery of the mountains, the sunshine and the rainbow we saw from the car.  Also, I perceive the colors to be cheerful, and at this stage in my life, I need all the cheer I can get!

The knitting isn’t exactly the hard part.  That was easy once Cindy reminded me of the basics: casting on, knitting with even stitches, creating the I-cord for the handles and then felting the bag.  The hard part was finding the TIME to actually sit down and relax without feeling compelled to take out the trash, do the laundry, the dishes, walk the animals, etc.

I have found that in the course of a day all of those things are accomplished anyway.  But to sit down, breathe deeply and relax my shoulders is such a rare and delicious treat!  Now, to do that with knitting needles clicking melodically and to see a result is bliss!

Parkinson’s Disease affects my coordination - fine motor skills and gross motors skills.  Many times the muscles in my wrists and thumbs scream for stretching relief.  However, I’ve learned that if I do not participate in activities that engage my imagination, my heart and my muscles…..then I freeze up.  The movements become more tedious, sometimes the stiffness is something I cannot work out.

So, I’m sharing my project.  This is the first knitting project since I was a teenager knitting shawls (during the early 70’s).  Through all of the distress that has been dealt to me lately - the thyroid cancer, my sister’s breast cancer and now my questionable PAP……it’s nice to have a way to relax, stop worrying and just breathe…..and knit.