trying new things

Though I've never purposefully sheltered myself or been a wet blanket, I never really considered myself an adventurous person. That's really only in the context of physical adventure, though; I challenge myself mentally all the time.

I've been thinking more lately about my lack of enthusiasm for certain activities that, for me, are pretty adventurous. Hiking, camping, most sports. . . why is it that when I think about doing any of these, my mind automatically goes to five or ten other things I'd rather be doing? You can bet knitting is usually at the top of that list.

I don't have a problem with adventure in those five or ten things, though. Take knitting for example; I purposefully venture outside of my comfort zone all the time. I pick patterns that feature techniques I have never encountered, I read and knit to try to understand the mechanics of good garment design and fit, and if all else fails, I knit and re-knit a problem until I get it right.

Why can't I do that with sports? Why not with camping? It's so strange to me that instead of the aggressive conquering attitude I have toward my studies or hobbies, my attitude toward most physical challenges is to politely decline, then run like hell in the other direction.

I'm tired of that. I want to go camping. . . and even more, I want to like it. I want to try new athletic activities and feel confident that with practice I will get better. So, the other day, I went out on a limb and bought some rock climbing shoes. I've gone with Sam a couple of times and enjoyed it (as much as I really ever enjoy new, foreign athletic activities) and lately have thought that it wouldn't kill me to commit to a new (hell, they're all new to me) sport. It also wouldn't hurt to overcome my minor fear of heights.

So I bought the shoes. I figure now that I have money invested in it I'll have some motivation to go climbing. I really really want to like it, and I want to break out of my comfort bubble. I'm still on the edge about whether or not I'm really passionate about climbing. I just hope that by really committing to this activity I'll give myself the chance to develop the same passion for it that I have for knitting. I mean, I haven't really ever given myself the opportunity to like any of the activities I so quickly dismiss.

On the knitting front, I have a new finished object that was just about the least adventurous thing I could knit-- a scarf! I have this odd aversion to knitting scarves. In fact, I think the only other scarf I've ever knit was a horrible white, sparkly, acrylic number years ago when I was first learning to knit. The simple back and forth knitting (garter stitch, baby!) was great for my first knitting project, but as my technique becomes more advanced the idea of doing something so simple and cliche makes my stomach turn.

That being said, I actually enjoyed knitting this scarf. The yarn, this bulky-ish gauge multi-colored Noro silk my mom and I bought over Christmas break, make the project not only bearable but enjoyable. The colors in this yarn have unbelievable depth, even though it's on the expensive side I highly recommend this yarn. It softens up a lot in blocking, too. I also chose an interesting lace pattern (one repeat of the lace pattern from the Katherine Vest in the Interweave Knits Spring edition) to counteract the boring nature of scarf knitting. Big needles, beautiful yarn, interesting stitch pattern. . . apparently this is the recipie for an enjoyable scarf project!

I have photos of the finished scarf blocking, but I'm withholding them. I want the recipient, my mom, to be surprised when she gets it in the mail. All I can say is that it turned out really lovely. . . and now I kind of want one!