Kilimanjaro Knitting
I have this theory about naming people and objects: they will live up to their names. So when you name a child, a pet, or even a scarf, be sure to choose a name that it can (and wants to) live up to.
For example, if you name your kid “Chase,” guess what you’ll be doing for the rest of his life—chasing him. How about “William”? That kid will have an iron will.
While expecting one of my kiddos, I joked that I wanted to name him “Climb Kilimanjaro” so that he would do great things—like the elite hike.
Note that I didn’t say, “Climb Everest.” While Kilimanjaro is a huge deal, hikers’ likelihood of dying is much lower there than it is on Everest. Positive goals here, people.
Hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano in Tanzania that reaches nearly 20,000 ft in elevation, is certainly possible. But like any challenge, it requires planning training, and the help of skilled guides.
Taking Knitting to New Heights
Whether a beginner or expert knitter, we can each have a Climb Kilimanjaro project in our queue. The Kilimanjaro Project’s level is incredibly challenging to our current ability level; we will most certainly need help along the way. When it is complete, the sense of accomplishment will be intoxicating.
Do I need to say here that I don’t literally mean that you will knit this project while hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro? Although…. Wouldn’t that be fantastic?! Perhaps a vanilla sock, or a long tube-turned-scarf…
So what past Kilimanjaro Projects have you completed? What are on your project horizon?
I went through a (long) phase where most of my projects were Kilimanjaro-level. I craved stronger and more complex knitting skills to throw in my technique tool box. The more challenging the project, the better.
While I still have Kilimanjaro Projects, my pursuit and perception of them has changed. Yes, I still have a Shetland lace rectangular shawl, using cobweb yarn, on the needles and stuffed in a project bag. At this point, my super-Kilimanjaro-y level projects require a massive amount of care and attention. (After knitting for over twenty years and challenging myself a good bit of that time, I have run out of some of the challenges that allow for getting into an easy groove.)
More often, my version of a Kilimanjaro Project presents as a creative challenge in the shape of a new knitting design. I choose a concept and see if I can transcribe it with yarn. And I want it to be right. It doesn’t always work!!! But I love the feeling of finding a way.
As Diana Bishop says in A Discovery Witches, “Magic is desire made real.” I love creating knitting design magic.
Fun fact, if you enjoy the A Discovery of Witches book series by Deborah Harkness, you really should stay tuned. I have some ADOW magic I’m working to make real in the coming months.
So again… tell me about your Kilimanjaro Projects! Any favorite techniques or styles?
I sincerely hope you have a Kilimanjaro Project in your queue or on the needles.
Life is a bit more fun with an exciting challenge to conquer!
For some fun, engaging, and possibly challenging pattern ideas, check out Mountain Song Designs around the internet!
