Speechless...
OK, so you’re getting ready for work. It’s possible that you may have some time during the day (unlikely, but possible), so you grab your sock knitting to take with you – a sensible precaution I think you’ll agree. As you pick it up (toe-up, 2 circs) you notice that the stitches are perilously close to the ends of the needle. Then you notice that some of them are beyond perilously close to the end – they have fallen off. You make that sharp intake of breath sound that another knitter would recognise as “Arrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh I’ve dropped stitches.” You hasten to the sofa to pick the stitches up immediately.
Unfortunately your husband hears the inarticulate noise and interprets it as “I’m gravely injured and about to bleed to death.” So he follows you, asking what the matter is.
Now I don’t know about you gentle knitter, but when I’m picking up dropped stitches, that is ALL I am doing. I’m certainly not looking for words to explain the precise predicament. I can just about manage an “It’s OK.” This will not suffice for the husband who thinks he’s about to see his wife expire before his eyes. So he persists:
”’It’s OK’ doesn’t tell me anything. What’s the matter?”
“Now really isn’t a good time.”
(I’m sorry, I can’t remember the exact script any more – I was otherwise engaged, but imagine words emerging from said husband’s mouth.)
“Now REALLY isn’t a good time.”
(More words)
“I CAN’T TALK NOW”
Husband is upset at being shouted at.
Now I know that shouting is bad. I don’t like doing it, but please, please, please people, do not expect the knitter to pick up dropped stitches and hold a coherent conversation. Accept the “It’s OK” and wait for further clarification. Either the stitches will be picked up quickly and order will be restored and an explanation will be forthcoming, or further stitches will be lost, there will be swearing, there may be tears – don’t ask for an explanation at this point, just hide – take the children with you to a safe place and wait until it’s safe to emerge, but DO NOT try to get the knitter to communicate.
John – sorry I shouted at you love.
six comments:
It’s OK, I got over it.Still, at least the socks survived.
pax et bonum
[John] () (link) - 09 February '07 - 17:43
Isn’t it funny (peculiar). There you were, all stressed out cos of your stitches, and there John was, all narked at being shouted at, and here I am, laughing away at the whole saga!It’s very hard not to shout, imo. Someone should invent a device to limit the number of decibels that ‘come out of our mouths’, then shouting would be impossible. But imagine how frustrating that would be!
Big Ruth () (link) - 09 February '07 - 19:08
At least it didn’t lead to bloodshed!Chris () (link) - 09 February '07 - 20:00
I’m sorry, I chortled all the way through this little story, it reminded me of similar incidents, though not involving knitting. So glad to know we’re all normal!Louise () (link) - 10 February '07 - 17:45
He’s going to have to learn to knit…Daisy () (link) - 12 February '07 - 13:31
I laughed myself silly at this – it’s so hard to shriek ‘shut up, shut up!’ nicely and still pick up stitches….....But at least John got over it. Lovely hubby. Clearly married to a knitter.
Carrie K () (link) - 14 February '07 - 04:17
