It became rapidly and readily apparent to me, however, that I could not, would not, would NEVER commute into Boston. My trip in for my first interview rendered me lost in Roxbury, driving around in circles, and then canceling my interview because I would be a multitude of hours late. Add to that normal rush hour traffic, Boston drivers, and paying to park in the city...
I resigned myself to my alternate fate- alternative transportation. Namely, that wretched hive
of scum and villainy: the MBTA.
Unlike poor ol' Charlie, however, my fate is learned, and I will often return. (I'm looking at you, Kingston Trio and Dropkick Murphys. Although I never understood why Charlie's wife didn't just give him a nickel instead of a sandwich.) Turns out, there are definitely worse things than riding the commuter rail into Boston. It's cheap, clean (enough), and quick.
Of course, one of the biggest perks of course is the free time I suddenly have NOT driving. It's the ultimate multi-tasking time, which I've used to do work, answer e-mails, play unholy amounts of Words With Friends, read, and knit.
Finding the perfect pattern for train knitting falls in a special category for me. It needs to be portable (no sweaters), memorizable or easily read off an iPhone (no charts, pages of instructions, or books), and able to be picked up and put down wherever you are (short stitch repeats, nothing too fussy).
The latest and greatest pattern to fit the bill has me completely smitten: the Reversible Cabled Brioche Stitch Scarf (Ravelry link). Once I got the hang of it, I don't even need directions (which
is both exhilarating and terrifying- I am absolutely a directions person), and I can throw it in my bag as the train pulls into North Station or I have to shove over to let another passenger into the seat.
The yarn is the lovely Bark from Maple Creek Farm. No website, unfortunately- I found them at Rhinebeck a couple years ago.
I cast this on two weeks ago and I'm flying. I've broken my own rule and have been knitting it off
the train too... But it's so catchy! In no time, I have this:
Despite the oddball times, much longer commute, and occasional oddity of my fellow passengers, knitting on the train has become an all-too-brief respite for me. I'm still often doing six other things, but I throw on NPR, pull out my needles, and manage to find the smallest iota of calm and tranquility amidst the chaos.
Where do you find two minute's peace? How? If you knit, what's your train-knitting pattern?
