dragon scales
The Koigu and I had words.
After it practically crawled out of the stash bin, insisting that it must be knit, I wasn’t going to let it get away with not telling me what it wanted to be. Several swatches later, I forced it to cough up its secret.
It had delusions of dragon-ness.
The stitch pattern is Dragon Skin, from one of the Barbara Walker Treasuries. The stitch pattern, as written, didn’t fit into the gauge I got going around my foot with the Koigu. I had two choices: I could make the pattern smaller, fitting more repetitions in one round. Or, I could make the stitch pattern larger, with fewer reps in a round. I opted for the latter because I thought that the larger scales would play with the colorway better. I love the way that the yarn is mostly grays, with little blings of gold and orange and green and blue.
If I were a dragon, I wouldn’t mind being gray if I could wear multi-colored sparkles.
keychain sock blocker
And this is a little keychain sock-blocker that I knit a little sock for. It will be going to my Sockapalooza pal along with the Java Leaf Socks.
The yarn is a tiny bit of leftover Seasilk from another project. When going through the stash looking for the last of the Cherry Tree Hill so the little sock would match the bigger socks, I ran across the Seasilk. Since the colors are reasonably from the same family, I thought it would be fun for my Sock Pal to have an almost-matching but slightly swankier keychain.
There may be a few other things coming my Sock Pal’s way, too. 
Now… I have a question for you, gentle reader.
Saturday I went to a muggle party. It was a fun party and I had a great time. As we all sat around the back yard (perfect BBQ weather), sipping on beverages-of-our-choice and such, I whipped out the dragon scale socks and started knitting.
Is that a nervous habit that you have? one of the other guests asked me.
Nervous habit? I replied. I have to admit I was sort of speechless — and you know, gentle reader, how rare that is! But I really wasn’t quite sure how to respond when my chosen craft was relegated to the level of… I don’t know… a twitch or foot tap or something.
I knit because I really enjoy it and it’s relaxing, I finally said.
The other guest nodded. But I could see that I had just validated for her that what I did was… A Nervous Habit - capitalized, but nervous nonetheless.
I was a bit put out. But after I thought about it… I knit when I’m waiting in line, or I have a quiet moment, or I want to keep my hands busy, or I want to relax.
What do you think? Is there a tiny grain of truth in that question? Is knitting nothing more than A Nervous Habit, or should all nervous habits somehow be raised to the level of craft?
P.S. For those who commented on the Brioche stitch on the Java Leaf Socks. I wasn’t sure if that’s what I should really call it. The first round is worked as YO, K1, P1, repeat. In the second round, the YO and K1 are knit together, and the P1 is purled. So, while the knit stitches are, I guess, technically Brioche, there’s the purl stitches there that make it… something else. Brioche rib?
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Personally, I tend to not knit in a nervous social situation because I’m afraid people will make comments like that.
1Remark from Sally Villarreal — Monday, 7/16/2007 @ 11:25 pm PDT
I wasn’t at all nervous. I was perfectly relaxed and just thought I might as well knit while I was sitting there chatting. I’m used to people commenting on my knitting. But that’s the first time I’ve been asked if it was a nervous habit.
2Remark from Judy — Tuesday, 7/17/2007 @ 12:08 am PDT
I knit whenever I might otherwise be biting my fingernails, picking my nose, tapping my foot, or letting rude comments fly out of my mouth. So yes, it is a nervous habit, but more lady like and socially acceptable than any of the foregoing possible alternatives. I find that having something to do with my hands makes me a better listener, and of course I then am able to either wear or gift the knitting product, which also makes me more generous. I think of it as a nervous habit that builds good character. Sounds like somebody needs knitting lessons hmmmm?
3Remark from Martha — Tuesday, 7/17/2007 @ 5:41 am PDT
I agree with Martha, knitting keeps me from doing the nervous habits. I’d be squriming in my seat because I’m not doing anything. Talking doesn’t count as “doing something”.
4Remark from Knittech — Tuesday, 7/17/2007 @ 5:54 am PDT
I’ve enjoyed your blog for awhile now. What’s driven me to (finally) comment is that perfectly round toe on the dragon scales sock!! OMG. Is that a virtue of knitting on circulars? I have just finished my first sock, on DPNs, and I’m happy with it and the learning curve I went through. When I finish the other sock, I’ll *let* myself learn with circulars.
I’m a little shocked at the tone of the question you received. Most people will say “what are you knitting” or “is that crochet” LOL, but “is that a nervous habit?” !!! Unbelievable. My WAG is that she sees a lot of knitting going on and just doesn’t understand the need.
Sheila in Ohio
5Remark from Sheila — Tuesday, 7/17/2007 @ 6:36 am PDT
I find that question so interesting… My mother and I were recently talking about “self medicating” behaviors (e.g. my DH’s daily dose of sports on TV while reading). She saw a parallel in my knitting, and wondered if it wasn’t a “self medicating behavior”. … rather like asking if it was a nervous habit don’t you think?
6I certainly wouldn’t consider restructuring lace, or designing patterns either a nervous habit OR self medicating (self torture sometimes, perhaps, but not self medicating). However, the mindless stockinette projects that I knit to keep my hands busy…. perhaps so…
Muggles.
What can you do?
Remark from Helen — Tuesday, 7/17/2007 @ 6:41 am PDT
Wow, that was a really rude question! Sort of like going up to someone and saying, “Does your hair always look like that?”
I can’t think of an appropriate snarky retort, but I may have had one were I in your position.
I take my knitting with me everywhere. If folks think it’s because I’m nervous, okay, whatever. I prefer to think of it as multi-tasking.
7Remark from Cindy in Oregon — Tuesday, 7/17/2007 @ 7:20 am PDT
We have to work on that snarky retort. I can’t think of one right now, but we will! I can’t believe anyone would say that. Maybe you answer, “No, it’s not a nervous habit, but it sure keeps me away from that heroin!”
8Remark from LeAnne — Tuesday, 7/17/2007 @ 7:59 am PDT
Like some of the previous posters, I knit whenever I can. In social situations, its nice to have something to do with your hands besides hold a cocktail. Perhaps this other guest had one too many of those to keep her tongue in check?
Regardless, I have been asked questions like that in the past, and generally smile, nod and respond with, “Well, it keeps me from saying things I might regret.”
Do I think it /is/ a nervous habit? Depends on why you whipped out the knitting…to keep from tapping fingers, etc? Yes. Because you were in a comfortable environment and felt that getting in a few rows was acceptable? No.
9Remark from Keisha — Tuesday, 7/17/2007 @ 8:04 am PDT
Fidgeting, nail-biting or cigarette-smoking are nervous habits. Knitting is channeling otherwise possibly destructive energies into art. I wonder if there would be less ADD if there was more knitting?
10Remark from Saralyn — Tuesday, 7/17/2007 @ 9:38 am PDT
“Nervous habit? No, my nervous habit is putting annoying people’s eyes out with my pointy sticks.” I bet that would’ve gone over really well, don’tcha think? I usually tell people (if I feel so inspired to speak to a bunch of damn muggles) that knitting keeps me out of rehab/ lowers the Xanax consumption/quiets the voices in my head… whatever seems the most inappropriate (if my kids are out of earshot). If I have my cheering section on hand I smile sweetly and ask “what are you able to do?”. People get so weird about knitting. It’s not like we’re walking around scratching our bums or picking our noses… geez. Cami
11Remark from Camilla Becher — Tuesday, 7/17/2007 @ 3:23 pm PDT
I had someone ask me a similar question (Not quite as snarky) and my response was, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop. And besides that I’m trying to lose a few pounds and this keeps me from nibbling mindlessly.” The person looked at me with a blank stare and walked away! No rise so therefore no one to bicker with I would guess.
12Remark from Gramma Phyl — Tuesday, 7/17/2007 @ 6:03 pm PDT
What a rude question! Here’s my standard answer for all rude and/or inappropriate questions: “Why do you want to know?” Generally shuts them up because they can’t think of anything to say that doesn’t sound even ruder than the question they just asked. Works especially well in a crowd.
13Remark from Bobbie — Tuesday, 7/17/2007 @ 10:25 pm PDT
You do need a snarky comeback for something like that.
It’s not a nervous habit - it’s a productive talent!
I knit in church. No one seems to mind (not even our Hawaiian shirt, shorts and sandal clad pastor)…in fact people have asked me to teach them.
14Remark from Anne in CA — Wednesday, 7/18/2007 @ 9:32 am PDT
Judy - how sad for those rude people, oops, muggles! Nervous habit? Were you strumming your fingers? Were you tapping your foot? Those, in my not so humble opinion, are nervous habits! Knitting is for the kinder, gentler, wiser, more intelligent soul. Knitters are not boring dolts - we are cherishers of the earth, we care for our fellow human, we are often the life of the party, and the items we knit are the envy of non-knitters everywhere. Judy - here is what I think you should do - toss that gorgeous Clapotis over your shoulder and knit on!!! The more difficult the pattern, the better!! Shame, shame, you poor stupid muggles!
15Remark from Kat — Wednesday, 7/18/2007 @ 1:49 pm PDT
If I ever had the guts, my comeback would’ve been something like, “No. Are you always this rude?” Or there’s Peg Bracken’s great all-purpose answer to rude questions: “I’ll forgive you for asking that if you forgive me for not answering.” (Although I think that might have been a wee bit subtle for Madame Rude.)
Geesh. I don’t think it’s a nervous habit; you’re grabbing time to do something you love whenever you can, with bonuses of preventing boredom and making something beautiful. I read every chance I get, even while doing something else, and I’ve had people tell me *that* was crazy. Well, if it is, at least I’m well amused, better informed, and it sure helps me ignore people who think I’m crazy!
16Remark from MonicaPDX — Wednesday, 7/18/2007 @ 3:57 pm PDT
I just gave an interview to the local newspaper here which is going to run a story on our local knitting group, The Kitsap Yarn Over Girls. I was at a loss for words when asked, “So what type of person attends the meetings?” “What do you do and talk about?” I couldn’t have expressed enough times for the very nice young man that there is no “type” of person who knits and that while attending KYOG meetings, we knit (duh!) and chat about our lives and our projects. I don’t understand the complete lack of understanding regarding knitting. It baffles me. Is it THAT odd a hobby? It isn’t like we’re collecting our boogies or pulling a Monk. I have stolen a line from Friends when asked, “What are you doing?” while waiting for the doctor, I say, “Oh, this is a craft practiced in the days of yore.”
17Remark from tana — Thursday, 7/19/2007 @ 11:34 am PDT
Yeah, I get that a lot from people who are looking for non-chemical ways to reduce their nervousness and stress. I give private lessons - give me a call next week and we can schedule a time for you!!
18Remark from Marsha — Friday, 7/20/2007 @ 4:41 pm PDT
Some crackin’ retorts up there, women. Camilla, I laughed out loud.
19Me, I have nervous energy which I put to work constructively. Is that the same thing?
Also, I love creating something out of bits. With my pointy magic wands.
Remark from Kristi — Saturday, 7/28/2007 @ 12:47 pm PDT