Knit Two Purl Two Short Scene Competition

So I’ve (re)taken up knitting in the past few months. I find it a very soothing, meditative thing to do. And little travel tip – no, they won’t take away your knitting needles, even on El Al. I’m really a novice, so I decided to get going on some knit caps for the holiday season. (If you work for me, you’re getting one, so be prepared!) I got the pattern, studied it good – but though it was simple, ran into some problems.

Why wasn’t the cap coming together the way it purported to in the picture? I followed every step! I took the stitches off the needles and started over. I cast on again, making sure the cast on stitches were uniform and loosely knit. I messed up again. I took the yarn off the needles and cast on again. And again.

Finally, in frustration, I gave up and went to the knitting store in my neighborhood and asked for help. Turns out I was knitting the decrease ahead of knitting the actual hat. I had skipped an important step! No wonder my knit caps were coming out like donuts; empty in the center!

I went back home, took apart the hat – again – and followed the directions properly. I am proud to say my multi-colored winter beanie already has my assistant’s name on it.

What’s the lesson for writers here other than that a handicraft is a soothing way to take time to be quiet and think through life’s challenges? Let me say it again – I was knitting the decrease (where the hat gets smaller) ahead of knitting the actual hat itself.

That’s tantamount to what I see many new writers do – write the exciting ending (and beginning) without knowing what the actual center of the story is. Without the proper set up and early foundational template, you cannot rush to the end, where things speed up. The story must be cast on (set up) correctly and evenly before the knit one purl two, knit six, knit two together (k1 p1 k6 k2g), i.e., progression and escalation of the story can really make sense.

In any event, this lesson in the Zen of Knitting prompts me to call for a new one-scene competition to give you guys something to chew on over the Labor Day holiday!

Guidelines

Write a one page scene (strictly enforced) containing the key phrase “knit two, purl two” and the keyword “Tennessee.” Use the keywords cleverly, in context and effing entertainingly. All genres are welcome. Only one script will win first place and another will receive honorable mention. This is a departure from our usual peer judging but I’m afraid those have become popularity contests, so I’ll be the final arbiter on this one. Entrants are free to submit up to three short scenes.

Deadline

Submissions are due Tuesday, September 7 by 12pm PST. The winner will be announced on September 9.

1st Place Prize

Your choice of a $25 gift certificate to Amazon or a free 15 minute Skype/brainstorm with me at a time convenient for you. Honorable mention gets a big smile and a slap on the back.

Please submit your one page Knit Two Purl Two scene HERE.