When You Can’t Knit

What do you do when you can’t knit? I stressed my wrists and hands so much while packing that I have not picked up knitting needles since Tuesday. I spent about 14 hours in the car, about 7 of those I was not driving. I did not knit, and surprisingly, I did not lose my mind!

Can’t Knit Wednesday and Thursday

I had to stay up all night Wednesday because there was so much stuff to pack. Thursday I continued working almost all day to keep packing, and deal with all things moving. We (I should say they) finished loading at about 7 pm. I could no longer think and just wanted food and to go to bed. Knitting didn’t even occur to me. We went off to claim our hotel room, eat room service, and go to bed.

Can’t Knit Friday

Friday we hit the road after doing final things, including an emergency stop at Mendel’s to get markers and paper. The movers got a little overly efficient and not only packed my wraps for the next seven days, but the other stuff I had marked to go in the car, including my drawing supplies. They had left my knitting. I really wanted to be able to draw, so I treated myself to a pad of paper and 18 Tombow ABT markers.  It was a nice treat and a fitting last purchase for me on Haight street. I pulled knitting out of my bag, but as we rode out of town and I sat quietly it was clear that my hands were too achy, and my wrists too tender, to make knitting make any sense at all. It was hard to sit in the car doing nothing except occasional wrist and hand exercises.

I don’t like being in the car, so I’m surprised I was able to be a grown up and be responsible. I was really happy when we got to our trading place spot and I became the driver! I got to drive fast, which I like to do. I drive through the Siskiyou Mountains, which I also like to do. Mitch is a great highway driver, reflecting his New Jersey origins, while I still don’t get interchanges and I’m always happy to let him do that type of driving. I am from Washington state and my father believed we all needed to be able to drive the roads around us, so I feel very comfortable with mountain driving. We each do our own specialty.

Can’t Knit Yet

I didn’t knit over the weekend either. I really wanted to on the drive on Sunday, but when you wake up with sore hands and wrists, best not to push it. I will be perfectly honest and say that if I weren’t so tired from the all-nighter and from all-things moving I doubt I would be able to be so sanguine about this. I didn’t draw either, because I was just too tired. I  am going to today.