Before I get into today’s post, I just want to point out that one of you, probably today or perhaps tomorrow, is going to leave the 20,000th comment. Amazing! And there will, of course, be a special prize for the 20,000th commenter.
Okay, onward.
Those of you who have been around for a while will remember that Hannah started a dish cloth last year around this time. If you need a refresher, the post can be found here.
Guess when she finished the dish cloth? Last night. And she wouldn’t have finished it then except that I got on her case about having my favorite pair of Lantern Moon needles for a whole year.
So, I taught her to cast off and now it’s done. Perhaps not the finest effort but done is better than perfect.
We had a little chat about knitting while she was casting off. Apparently, she still hates it. She finds it stressful and figures that it’s not worth stressing herself out just to make me happy. I pointed out that we could knit together in the evenings and that if she kept at it she’d get much better. But she said no, she was done with knitting.
And yet, when I sarcastically asked her what she wanted to knit next, she picked up my copy of http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Pretty-Kris-Percival/dp/0811835332/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196294432&sr=8-1 and started thumbing through it. Next thing I know, she announces that she is going to make “a bunch” of book marks for her friends and then when she finishes those she is going to make the super-long ribbed scarf.
All by Christmas.
I didn’t ask her if she meant this Christmas or next Christmas.
Kathy Said,
Love her youthful optimism! I say, go for it, Hannah!
Carol Said,
20,000! Congrats! That’s a whole lotta commentin’
Hannah is my hero! I thought I took my time! Some day, she’ll be cranking out cabled sweaters and socks like nobody’s business. No stress for her, you taught her well 
Ruth Said,
I recognize that sort of can-do optimism.
Kirsten Said,
Ha-ha! Go, Hannah, go!
Congratulations on 20,000 comments! Wow!
Debbi Said,
My daughter feels the same way about crochet and she is the one that begged to be taught. Ahhh well maybe she will pick up the sticks when she is older. I can only hope.
gale (she shoots sheep shots) Said,
Teenagers! Gotta love em . They have the rest of their lives to be boringly consistent.I bet she becomes her dorm’s knitting guru a few years from now.
Chris Said,
I had to bribe my daughter with a beer and a trip to starbucks to get her to try out some yarn. And the little minx made as small an effort as she could, then announced nope, she hated it can we go get the beer? Hope Hannah has fun with the bookmarks and gets the scarf done in time!
Jen Lamb Said,
Lucky!! I can hardly get my 17 yr old daughter to look at yarn! She had your Lantern Moons for a year??!!? OMG!!! I bet that was a hard one for you!
Kat Said,
Carole – this made me chuckle! Watch out, you may be helping finish some Christmas knitting!!
Congrats also on the 20,000th comment!!
margene Said,
Gale hit the nail on the head. The thing about kids…they do grow up.
Karen Said,
Hannah’s wash cloth is lovely! I’m sure she’ll have no trouble having the bookmarks done by Christmas. Her Mom can help her;)
Bonney Said,
I love first efforts!! Be sure to tuck this away. I’m betting some day she’s a real expert. Congrats to Hannah!!
sue Said,
Ahh, you are wise and tactful not to ask her which Christmas. Nice dishcloth and kudos for getting your Lantern Moons back.
My fifteen year old has couple of FOs to her name. I would like her to understand and experience the same enjoyment and relaxation I get out of knitting but I don’t think it is to be. Anything that she has to spend time on and get done reminds her too much of homework and she has enough of that.
Wow, 20,000 is a lot. Congratuations.
Karen Said,
Good for her!! You know, I taught myself to knit using dishcloth cotton – and later when I knit my first wool I found it was so much easier!! I don’t recommend cotton for a new knitter – it’s too hard to work with. Maybe if she tries a different yarn she’ll enjoy it more.
Chris Said,
Wow. All by Christmas. This should be interesting!
Chris H Said,
I like that gal’s thinking…about the same way I approach sending Christmas cards..LOL. I was just saying that I’d already bought mine – three years ago! If I get them out some time this decade, I’ll be doing good!
Meanwhile, nice dishcloth, Oh, and I figure I’m not in too much of a rush to share my love of knitting with my kids or my sister’s kids. I figure that so far, once my kids like something that I do, there’s much less of it for ME. Just think of Hannah’s current disdain as a way for you to have nore control over your stash….
PumpkinMama Said,
Just wait – she’ll pick it up again approaching her 30s and then you can knit together! Does she spin at all?
Donna Said,
Hannah sounds just like my daughter! I can’t tell you how many UFO’s are in her room. She bought more yarn at WEBS last weekend to make a felted bag. Let’s see if she finishes this one!
They will LOVE knitting one day – dammit!
Carla Said,
Hey- at least she finished something! That is more than I can say for my boys who both tried knitting. Funny how the things we love don’t all ways turn out to be the things our children do. Time will tell-
Kelly Said,
hahaha its a start! She’ll get more patient as she goes along!
Susan Said,
You let her keep Lantern Moon needles for a whole year! Are you mad??
maryse Said,
wooden needles and kitchen cotton? maybe that’s why she hates knitting so much.
but despite her disgust, she’s certainly one who is willing to put her feelings aside to make gifts for her friends. and her friends won’t even realize how much she’s suffered for them.
Cheryl Said,
My mother only knits dishcloths. She’s made about 400 of them. She says she hates knitting too.
Brandy Said,
She may not like it now, but she’ll come around. And in about 10 years when she starts to feel real stress everyday, she’ll relish it as her only outlet! Like me!
Congrats on 20,000!
Kim Said,
You’ve taught her a skill that she will come to enjoy as she gets older. I remember being that kid who said they found knitting stressful too
Jessica Said,
Hmmm… perhaps this knitting thing is genetic after all?
Shirley Said,
WOW! Don’t ya just love kids! They continually bring smiles to our faces. My daughter was like that also and now she is a beautiful 29 year old mother who is starting to sew and KNIT! There is hope!
Sunflowerfairy Said,
20K. Wow. Just wow.
I remember first starting to knit and looking down at my crappy…thing- I won’t even call it a scarf- and thinking, “This sucks. Who would ever want to spend their time doing this?”
Yeah, almost 5 years later and I can’t put it down.
lol
linda Said,
Grace says she doesn’t like to knit too. She has started a couple projects and finished 0. It will come.
marianne Said,
Heh, she certainly SOUNDS like a knitter! How funny!
liz Said,
That’s pretty funny! At least she’s not asserting that she’ll knit a ribby cardi or something.
jillian Said,
Well that cinches it, she’s a knitter, she just doesn’t know it yet!
Lisa Said,
Sounds like you are already doing all the right things. Just make the supplies available to her and let her take her time.
My daughter has been making me a hat for over a year now. She gets distracted easily and asks to start something new (wonder where she gets that from LOL!). I let her – how can I not when I have quite a few WIPs myself.
Robin in VA Said,
oooooooH, I wanna win….congratulations to both you and Hannah! My daughter has yet to bind off her hat (she’s using a knitting loom), started a year ago!
Beth Said,
Hmmm – I’m thinking it might be next Christmas.
My daughter tried knitting and disliked it, too. I had the same image of the two of us knitting together at night. Maybe some day…
Deb Said,
Hannah – nice job! Maybe I’ll finish something today too.
Carole – good parenting means never asking a question you don’t already know the answer to! Good for you too!
Cat Said,
That is so great that she is willing to give it a go again. I hope she soon learns to relax with it not let it stress her. Heck it is only two stitches, a knit and a purl.
Hugs!!!
Amy Said,
Hey, at least it’s a goal.
Wool Winder Said,
Sounds like she enjoys knitting just a bit more than she will admit to you. But, this time give her a set of needles to use that you won’t mind missing for a while…just in case.
michelle Said,
lol…well I certainly love her optimism
Jill Said,
Hannah sounds exactly like my 14yo dd who CAN knit but most of the time won’t. She’s had one of my Addi Turbo’s for 9 months now. I hope with the cold weather, she’ll decide to knit a lot soon.
BTW, love the CPH.
Kelli Said,
Nice Matters. That’s why I’ve nominated you for the award. Please click through to my blog for the details.
Cynthia Said,
Ah, if she’s created a queue then she is already converted, whether she knows it or not. Good for her on her first FO!
Janice Said,
Hannah may find it stressful right now, but the seed has been planted and someday it will begin to grow. THEN she will be ready to start knitting.
It took my seed a long time to sprout but it finally did this year.
I’m 52.
MX Said,
She may surprise you. Either way, she’s still a gorgeous child and I know you’re very proud.
JessaLu Said,
Well, it appears she already has the knitter’s ability to completely underestimate the amount of time it takes to knit something for Christmas! ;o)
Lisa Castellano Said,
Congrats Hannah! My daughter finished her first scarf over Thanksgiving- she started at her first knitting class in July. Knit in Brown Sheep- she promptly called it scratchy and wasn’t sure about it!. Not to be out done, her little sister has almost finished hers as well- just needs to learn how to cast off and weave in ends!
Cheryl S. Said,
Sounds like my stepdaughter – she was totally into having me teach her to knit, then she gave up on it, then she told me she was making a scarf. I can’t keep up with it. Congrats on the 20,000! Wow!
Beth S. Said,
One day she’ll be cranking out Shetland shawls.
Carrie Said,
It’s true. Knitting sucks. I hate every single thing about it, and as soon as I finish that stole, votive sleeves, the two sweaters, three pairs of socks and two lacy wraps I have in progress or on my queue I’m totally quitting.
Lizzy B Said,
I’m so glad I swallowed before I read that last sentence or two.
I hope she gets the true fire for the craft, but even if she doesn’t, don’t give her your Lantern Moon needles for the bookmarks and scarf! 
Betty Said,
Maybe she meant it will feel like Christmas when she gets them done.
Lucia Said,
I don’t think Miss B is planning any knitted gifts for Christmas. I OTOH have eyes-bigger-than-time-remaining syndrome, just like Hannah.
Anne Said,
Good for you for your forbearance.
ann Said,
Hannah has a true knitter’s soul thinking of all those glorious handknit presents she is going to whip up!
Jan Said,
Awwwwwww Hannah is so sweet. She obviously loves knitted objects but has to take her time. I love knitted and crocheted bookmarks and my sister gave me a tip to press them with cornstarch to make them stiff.
When I was really little (under 5) I always asked to hold my mother’s wool while she was knitting and I’d sit beside her chair pulling the yarn out of the ball for her. She quit knitting and I started designing doll clothes that really turned out fantastic; can’t believe I made them. Then I moved on to baby clothes out of horrid, bright orange.
I think lots of teenagers don’t want to have the same hobbies as their mothers but I’m sure Hannah will relish knitting when she has a steady boyfriend to knit for, or when she has kids
Karen Said,
I have a feeling it won’t be for this Christmas, maybe next – I wish I could get my daughter to pick up sticks
Julie Said,
Perhaps she’ll surprise you and do it
20,000 comments? Holy Cow!
Meadow Said,
Pretty sneaky to ask her what she wanted to make next, hehe. The dishcloth looks great, I think the bug will bite her soon. All I needed was a pattern, something that I could look for while knitting, like a star on the dishcloth, I was enamored
.
sue Said,
Hmmmm… Your daughter sounds like mine,she loves all the socks and things I make and she did try knitting and spinning but claims it stresses her out. Oh well maybe some day.
Teresa Said,
Yeah..she hates it until she sees all those pretty things you can make. It’ll be like when I learned. When I was younger, I wanted nothing to do with it. Had my first child and really wanted to learn. Since then, I haven’t put down my needles and have bought a LOT of yarn!
--Deb Said,
That’s quite a milestone for both of you–congratulations!
holly Said,
I like the dishcloth. I think it is good that Hannah has a place to go with her knitting, and perserverence is a virture, right? Also I wanted to comment on how much I enjoy reading your blog. Your consistency in posting is inspiring.
Ashley J. Said,
That is a huge dishcloth! But it looks good, and hey, my first crochet project took longer than that.
Hopefully she will keep at it, but if she does get addicted, keep a close eye on the stash. It might grow legs and walk off.
elizabeth Said,
That’s pretty funny! I’d get my needles back before she starts her next project, though!
Teyani Said,
I’ll bet that you could entice her with the police tape scarf
btw, I found the pattern is also on line for free.. I’ll post a link soon.
BigAlice Said,
20,000 comments!? Dang. That is a whole plethora of comments (forgive me, I couldn’t help myself. I don’t get to use ‘plethora’ very often). And nice dishcloth, Hannah.
kristi and otis Said,
You know she’s a true knitter if she casts on for three projects since she just finished one
Kat with a K Said,
Hah! Well, I shouldn’t talk, as I have way more than that left to do, but at least I acknowledge that I like to do it.
Cookie Said,
And to think… I was looking forward to comment # 5k. :p
Please make sure that she doesn’t use any needles that you love. That way how long she takes won’t have that much of an effect on you. ;^)
colleen Said,
I think that’s a fantastic effort, and a fantastic result.
knitnana Said,
AH! Another CONVERT!!! Good Luck, Hannah – You can do it!
Happy 20,000th comments!!!
(((hugs)))
Cathy Said,
Congratulations, Carol on such a successful blog! Wow, 20,000 comments? It is testament to your very interesting writing. Way to go!
christine Said,
20,000 comments wow! I think your daughter is a knitter at heart
Donna Said,
Wanted to let you know I made your pie crust tonight..best one I ever made!! And I have 10 GRANDCHILDREN AND 1 GREAT. So there, you taught an old broad new tricks. Good girl!!!
Jeannie Said,
Yeah for Hannah…. and having goals is a good thing.
and the amazing thing about 20,000 is that I know you respond personally to all/many of them
Leah Said,
At least she is knitting! I can’t get either one of my daughters to pick up the sticks. Now, my son? Maybe…
Connie Said,
Coming out of lurkdom to say “you rock” to Hannah! My daughter (who’s 14)knit scarves for all her friends (5 and pretty long too)for Christmas…she just decided to do and did so maybe Hannah will surprise you and do it too;)
DebbieB Said,
Yay for Hannah and her FO!
She probably means it, just like I mean it when I say I’m never Navajo-plying again, and then I do it anyway because it’s pretty and useful. And then I vow to never do it again, again. Again?
Paulette Said,
I sure wish I had learned to knit as a teenager—-I was 56 when I started, that was 2 years ago. Who knows what I might be doing now!! Actually I’m on my 4th and 5th pairs of socks, so I’m pretty excited about that! Someday, she’ll be glad she got her start early, and will happily pick up yarn and needles again.
Sara Said,
Oh, how funny…better late than never…Children are fun!!! (At least I keep telling myself that!)
molly! Said,
I used to be like that. More power to her!
Katie K Said,
One small stitch for knitkind.
Karen Said,
She has big knitting plans for never wanting to knit again!
scout Said,
I’m catching up on your blog finally! The hoodie is GORGEOUS as is your daughter. And you made me totally crack up with your comment about her knitting!
Helen Said,
I learned a long time ago not to promise WHICH Christmas/Birthday/Anniversary the gift would arrive. I know some people knit dishclothes for the soothing value of something mindless, but for a first time knitter, it might be a little too ‘mindless?’ Let her try something a little more challenging…it might hold her interest. Unlike that endless, black cardigan in sockinette for my very long torso-ed husband, that was started last fall. Wonder if it can be finished during winter break after the Christmas socks are finished? Wonder if the Christmas socks will be finished. lol
Debi Said,
Maybe the secret is truly something she thinks is fun or can use. When I teach someone to knit, I never suggest scarves or dishcloths if they don’t enjoy those…I’m all for jumping in and picking something you really like, you’re more likely to stick with it and enjoy it. So perhaps Hannah’s “fun” knitting ideas will help her move from hate to love, just like her Mom!
Manise Said,
Hannah is too funny! She has a “knit” gene that she cannot ignore
Sooo does that mean the Lantern Moons have been not been reclaimed? Would make a great stocking stuffer.
susan Said,
I think it looks great. I hope she’s used it already to clean the kitchen counters for you.
Martha Said,
Is that dishcloth as huge as it looks?
Maryse has a good point–knitting with a nice springy tweedy wool might encourage Hannah a little more. ‘Cause cotton sucks.
Emily Said,
20,000? That is amazing! I miss all my comment milestones. Don’t tell Hannah I think it’s very cool that she finished her dishrag (that might be enough adult approval to make her not do the book marks, and I want to see how they turn out). My sister-in-law has been working on a hat to go with her coat since last Christmas, I told her to dig it out and bring it so we could finish it at Christmas this year.