New Habits

So this morning I am trying something new. I am using my spare time to learn a different way to knit. (Stay with me here...this is not ALL about knitting) I am a "traditional" knitter, which means that I throw my yarn with my right hand. Now, in defense of traditional knitters everywhere, we do just fine--in fact, I think we outnumber the "continental" knitters, but I don't have any hard numbers on that statistic. :) It is just that knitting this way is inefficient at times, and a bit slower than continental style, especially when working on more complex or bigger projects. For those ignorant about these things, when you picture little old ladies in their rocking chairs, quickly clicking their needles without any other movement...they are knitting continental style. When I am in MY rocking chair, my knitting is an entire upper-body workout...and the speed of my knitting output can be likened to a January taffy-pull. Very discouraging for a young knitter who has lofty knitting goals!

So I am slowly trying to retrain myself to knit in this more efficient, faster way. It is awkward, frustrating, and the results that I am getting are unimpressive so far. I can't help thinking beyond knitting....about any kind of life change that one tries to make against the grain of their current habits and lifestyle. Our family has made a lot of changes in our lives over the last few years, and some have been just as awkward, frustrating and we have performed quite unimpressively at times. But, we trudge forward...as do I with my knitting....trusting that new habits will take hold, and I will soon be ready for bigger projects!