I usually knit while watching TV, but it mustn’t be anything too demanding, otherwise I will drop stitches (annoying with such fine fabric) or make even worse mistakes which may entail pulling back my work. L I’m not like DD, able to do the most complex and beautiful knitting while reading or watching TV. No knitting racehorse here, but instead a plodding donkey, who enjoys her work, but mustn't let herself get distracted.
So when a favourite film comes on TV and I settle down to do a few more inches of DH’s latest sock, I know that when certain scenes come along, the only safe thing to do is to put down my knitting and enjoy them to the full. One such favourite film I watched recently for the umpteenth time is the wonderful classic musical “Singin’ in the Rain”. I knitted happily along to most of it, but the knitting definitely stopped for what I think is one of the best comic performances I have ever seen. I hope you enjoy it too.
Image via Wylio
Oh how I envy him those knees.
ReplyDeleteIs it actually possible to be that flexible?
Who was that Perpetua, was it Donald O'Connor? I never saw the film so am unfamiliar with the performer.
Thanks for the chance to see such a classic.
I do stuff in the kitchen while listening to Test Match Special...but there are times when I have to put down the knife or turn off the gas....
ReplyDeleteHello Perpetua:
ReplyDeleteWe admire your being able to knit socks either whilst watching television or not. It looks so terrifically complicated to us, but very impressive that you have mastered the art.
When friends arrived for dinner with us last weekend the gift that was brought were hand knitted socks!! Our friend is also a dab hand at this and we were thrilled. Very different from the more usual bottle of wine and rather more useful in this bitter weather!!
We loved the film clip. Such timing!
Me too, Ray. Almost incredible, isn't it? It was indeed Donald O'Connor and I'm impressed that you know that, as I can't remember seeing him in anything else. Do watch Singin' in the Rain if you get the chance. It's not just a cosy musical, but a very funny satire on the early film industry and the effects of new technology.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Fly. The worst I can do with my knitting is drop stitches or poke myself with a needle. I don't risk losing a finger or irreparably burning the dinner. :-)
ReplyDeleteHello Lance and Jane and glad you enjoyed the clip.
ReplyDeleteSock knitting is one of my few accomplishments and to be honest it's nowhere near as difficult as you might expect. You have to concentrate hard at first, but now after knitting quite a few pairs I can almost do it without the pattern. Mind you, I don't do fancy stitches or cables or anything complicated like that. I'm getting lots of practice, as DH loves his hand-knitted socks and rarely wears any others now.
I never get tired of Singin' in the Rain. Like many of the old classics it has that feelgood factor.
ReplyDeleteI used to knit very simple stuff. I made a couple of jumpers years ago but always had to get my Aunty Gwen to put them together because I'm useless at that bit, particularly sewing. Sadly my aunt is no longer with us..and I'm afraid I've lost interest in knitting
We love Singing in the Rain at our house - our daughter especially thought that Donald O'Connor was the most hilarious person on the planet and she would howl with laughter at this scene!
ReplyDeleteI envy your knitting prowess! I can't even knit a straight row while watching anything but the needles and the yarn. I could never do it while watching TV. Also, because I don't have a TV, I don't get the chance to practice it!
Splendid socks Perpetua...I'm impressed,
ReplyDeleteSP
Neither do I, Ayak. It's so well-made and I always get to the end with a smile on my face.
ReplyDeleteI will admit to hating the making-up part of knitting too, which is why I was so glad when DD introduced me to circular knitting and especially to sock-knitting. No seams at all and only the toe to graft if they are knitted top down. Perfect for me!
Glad to meet another fan, Penny. Like me, your daughter obviously loves the wonderful physical comedy which distinguished a lot of the silent film stars like Buster Keaton.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't have TV, knitting immediately becomes easier, Penny, as radio and music just don't distract so disastrously. But you have to want to do it and I do.
Thanks, SP. My socks are always very simple, with no fancy stitches or cabling to make life more difficult. I rely on the wonderful variety of modern sock-yarns, particularly the self-patterning kinds, to add interest to my very basic pattern.
ReplyDeleteLike you with your wonderful children's jumpers and cardigans, I like knitting socks because they're small and easily finished and much appreciated by the wearers.
That was fun to watch!
ReplyDeleteI keep saying I'm going to learn to knit and so I need to get up and start doing it is all. It must be so nice to have hand knitted socks!
Glad you enjoyed it, Rubye. It makes me laugh every time.
ReplyDeleteAs far as knitting is concerned, it's never too late to learn. It's easiest with someone to show you, but a good simple book will teach you the basics. Hand-knitted socks are great, because they are shaped to fit your particular feet. :-) DH also finds them so much warmer in cold weather and says they never slip off when he takes off his boots!
I seldom watch embedded video on blogs but I did with this clip - sadly, so did Dylan who is now imitating the dance all over my study!
ReplyDeleteOops, sorry, Mark! How old is Dylan now - 7 or 8? I can just see it catching his fancy, but think what healthy exercise he's now getting. :-) Who needs a Wii?
ReplyDeleteExcellent looking socks. And I agree, there are some things one has to put the knitting down for.
ReplyDeleteDonald O'Connor is pure genius - the way he moves is magic, gives me tingles to see someone so absolutely in control of their muscles. Yet again, a great pleasure to visit you! Axxx
Socks are me, Annie! Probably the only item I can knit reliably well, as I've had so much practice recently. :-) And modern sock yarn is so rewarding to knit with...
ReplyDeleteI so agree about Donald O'Connor. I can watch him over and over again. Glad you enjoyed it. :-)
Oh wonderful - I'd forgotten that bit! He's brilliant. Used to be one of my favourite films. Do you think Donald O'Connor looks a bit like Danny Kaye (Who's been a favourite of mine for ever - dod you ever see t'The Court Jester?)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could knit socks - I've just started a sweater for Peter, and am part way through a summer cardi for myself, but arthritis isn't helped by doing it as much as I'd hoped, so it's a bit slow. I had to get a different pattern from the one I'd oroginally chosen, as it'd have taken me about 10 years to finish (very complicated cables and twists!)
Sorry - must be getting tired - I spell perfectly, but my keyboard doesn't!!
ReplyDeleteMake 'em laugh - and you did! I love the movie and I love this routine. I can't even imagine the physical prowess, agility, and timing that goes into a number like this. What a nice way to stay warm and enjoy yourself, Perpetua. I don't knit, but do crochet and find it relaxing and a good thing to do in front of the television.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother taught me to knit, and I only wish I'd stayed with it. I make prayer shawls for church, and afghans with simple patterns, but here I had a wonderfully willing teacher who did fabulously complex patterns, and at the time I wasn't interested. Her mother, my great-grandmother would keep knitting while she dozed in a chair. I have a faint memory of that. Your weekend sounds lovely, Perpetua. And thank you for the laugh! Debra
ReplyDeleteHi, J, glad you enjoyed being reminded. Yes, I think there is a slight resemblance and I did see The Court Jester a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteSocks are really not hard if you know how to knit already, and because they are so small and light, I think they are probably easier for people with arthritis. It's ages since I knitted a garment for an adult - it's usually socks or children's woollies, and almost always circular knitting too.
It was my pleasure, Penny. This scene makes me laugh every time I see it, but also fills me with awe at its technical perfection. Oh, to be able to use one's body like this!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could crochet, Penny, as the fabric it makes is different and very useful. I really must get DD to teach me, as she has recently started to crochet as well as knit and spin.
Thank goodness for our grandmothers, Debra. It was mine who taught me to knit, as my mother was a seamstress, not a knitter. I never saw my grandmother knit anything more complex than the little cardigans and boleros she used to make for us girls and I think she probably taught me all she knew. With hindsight it's a pity that you never learned all yours could have taught you, but we often don't see the value of such knowledge when we're young.
ReplyDeleteAs for the laugh - in winter I think we need all the laughs we can get. :-)
Dear Perpetual,
ReplyDeleteThank you! Thank you! for adding this video to your posting today. Like "Ray Barnes" I'm astounded by the flexibility of Donald O'Connor. I saw him in a number of films--can't remember names--and I always felt that he mostly stole the show. I laughed out loud when he did the routine with the stuffed mannequin.
I don't knit, but like Penny, I do crochet. However, I'm unable to do that when engrossed in television. And Downton Abbey has me engrossed on Sunday evenings!
Peace.
Dear Dee, I'm delighted to have been of service. :-) I'm sorry to say that I can't remember seeing Donald O'Connor in other films, but think he was truly wonderful in this one. I just watched the scene again with my bedtime drink and found myself laughing as usual.
ReplyDeleteOh, I can't knit with Downton Abbey either, so you are excused. I do wish I could crochet, though.
Gelobt sei Dein busy DH! So wird die Pension aufgebessert! Na, und Du hilfst mit homeknitting, die Haushaltskasse voll zu halten. Liebe Perpetua, ich kenne auch Damen, die beides können- Fernsehen und Stricken. Ich kann leider nur das Erste von beiden, aber meine Hände kraulen derweil meine beiden Kater, die natürlich zu zweit auf mir Platz nehmen, wenn ich es mir auf dem Sofa bequem mache. Was für schöne Winterabende.Liebe Grüße aus dem sonnigen und kalten Hamburg.
ReplyDeleteGenau, R! Aber ich glaube, er würde es machen, selbst wenn er nichts verdienen könnte. Es macht ihm Spass, immer was Neues zu lernen und er mag das Nichtstun gar nicht....
ReplyDeleteDas Stricken macht mir Spass und handgestrickte Socken sind sehr bequem und warm, was bei solchem Winterwetter uns gefällt. Leider ist es nicht leicht, mit Katzen auf dem Schoss zu stricken. Hoffentlich wird es bei Dir bald wärmer werden. Es ist in Europa ja grausam kalt gewesen.
Knitting and telly go well together....until you drop a stitch !!
ReplyDeleteI am full of admiration for your knitted socks. Scarves are all I can manage these days.
Tell me about it, Jean! :-) The times I've cursed to find I've dropped a stitch and with such fine fabric (2.5mm needles) picking up stitches is no joke.
ReplyDeleteAs I've said in earlier replies, socks really aren't as hard as they look. There's some shaping to do, of course, but otherwise it's just a case of knitting round and round and round....
Sadly, I've reached the stage where watching TV and knitting require completely different glasses, so there's no way I can do them both at the same time...and having recently (almost accidentally) knitted a sweater using very fine wool, I have the utmost respect for your sock-knitting, Perpetua. I've vowed never to knit anything that fine again!
ReplyDeleteI well remember the problem, CB, but happily varifocals have completely solved it for me.:-) You mustn't even begin to compare knitting a 4 ply sweater with making socks. You need less than 100gms of 4 ply to knit a pair of socks, even for a man with big feet. For my feet it's probably about 75gms. A mere bagatelle.....
ReplyDelete