After an hour of happily doing knit-like things (see picture) on the plane ride home this afternoon, the 60-ish Croatian lady next to me gestured. Her husband, who spoke only a few words of English, translated enough for me to figure out she wanted to borrow my other set of needles and yarn. I offered her a choice of the white or the rainbow colored. She took the white.
In what seemed like only a minute she:
- counted out the cast ons using the “thumb” method: neki dva troje cetiri pet sest sedam osam devet deset;
- added two rows each of knits and purls. I think she was offering some hints;
- showed me the result and said “lagan” (easy!)
- pulled the thing apart, thanked me then left to go to the toilet.
Dang she was quick. I tried to emulate what she had done with the other ball of yarn and big needles, but after tiredly flailing, I finished off the row of my red thing and put my stuff away.
I need to practice more.