Finding the Right Song
01/04/2017
Back in October, I decided to knit a warm and cozy sweatshirt-of-a-sweater. Kind of an (ahem) instant gratification project. Simple. Big needles. Chunky yarn.
And I cast on during one of the Cubs games . . . on their way to the World Series. I knit through all the games, and my knitting soundtrack seemed to be David Bowie/Queen's Under Pressure.
I was planning to finish up the bottom ribbing a week later . . . as I watched the election results. But. That night I couldn't knit a stitch. I just sat there. With my knitting in my lap.
Weeks of angst. No knitting. I couldn't bear to pick up any knitting - let alone that particular sweater. I was dealing with my election grief -- while also hosting my entire family for Thanksgiving and my Mom's memorial service. My knitting soundtrack switched to grunge . . . insert any Nirvana song here . . . but let's go with Smells Like Teen Spirit.
I started knitting another project - Project Peace, in fact. Which brought be back to my needles and away from my angst. After a few rounds of Project Peace, I decided to put it aside temporarily -- and finish up the sweater.
This time, a new knitting soundtrack emerged . . . Foo Fighters Times Like These (here's a nice acoustic version for you).
I, I'm a new day rising
I'm a brand new sky
To hang the stars upon tonight
I am a little divided
Do I stay or run away
And leave it all behind?
It's times like these you learn to live again
It's times like these you give and give again
It's times like these you learn to love again
It's times like these time and time again
And then . . . well. I finished the sweater easily.
Sometimes you just need to find the right song.
(Ravely details here.)
What a beautiful sweater! Happy you are back to the needles.
Posted by: Juliann | 01/04/2017 at 09:24 AM
That's awesome! And I'm glad it stayed with you throughout the challenging times. We will rise again!
Posted by: Carole | 01/04/2017 at 10:31 AM
Great sweater, great attitude. :)
Posted by: Helen | 01/04/2017 at 03:00 PM
I love the little hint of color that also matches your sock trim! Nice work on, what looks to be, a very cozy and warm sweater. And yay! for knitting because it helped you work through your angst and grief.
Posted by: margene | 01/04/2017 at 03:42 PM
Brrrr...your sweater looks perfect for cold, snowy weather.
Posted by: Jo | 01/04/2017 at 04:20 PM
I've always loved the soundtracks you've "played" with your knitting, and I'm so glad you found the right song with this wonderful sweater through the election angst and grief. I completely agree with Helen! :-)
Posted by: Bonny | 01/04/2017 at 08:20 PM
Great sweater! I think it hits all the right cozy notes -- and the pockets, if not truly flattering, add to the cozy charm. And I'd add, the contrast means that well, you know the bulk is the pockets, not you. So not unflattering, either. I predict this will be both a brisk walk and a warm fire kind of sweater.
Posted by: Pam | 01/05/2017 at 01:40 AM
what a great finish! I love the soundtracks you paired with the project ... that last song is my favorite.
Posted by: Mary | 01/05/2017 at 05:57 AM
So cute! I love how it turned out! And, the sound tracks are so perfect!
Posted by: Kat Christensen | 01/05/2017 at 08:21 AM
That's fantastic! I love the pocket details!!
Posted by: Vicki | 01/05/2017 at 10:09 AM
What a great sweater! I love the pockets!!
Posted by: Sandy | 01/06/2017 at 12:04 PM
Right song AND right sweater! To the queue for this one, it is a winner.
Posted by: Gale Zucker (she shoots sheep shots) | 01/06/2017 at 02:50 PM