Superstitions and Spinning

We’ve all heard the common superstitions of black cats crossing our paths, not walking under those ladders, and to be oh so careful with the mirror. What about the less common ones?

Today is Friday the 13th and we have a Spinning Class this afternoon.  It made me think, “uh oh….that might be bad luck.”  Goofy girl, I know! 

What about the other strange, lesser known superstitions. Are there any involving yarn?  After a quick google search and quite a few snort laughs after reading Franklin Habit’s post about the Lesser Known Yarn Superstitions. I dove a bit deeper into the web.

Most folks have heard about the Boyfriend Sweater Superstition. If you knit your boyfriend a sweater he’ll break up with you.  Jerky!  Now statistically, it takes awhile to knit a dang sweater, so yeah…the odds are not in your favor if you haven’t been with the dude long.  Also, don’t knit him socks…apparently he’ll walk away. Oh and if you drop your scissors it means your lover is seeing someone behind your back.  My advice is if you drop your scissors while knitting a sweater or socks just frog it and put yourself back on that dating site.

Anyone do any spinning during Christmas? You’d best take that yarn and make a sweater.  Any yarn spun during the 12 Days of Christmas and then turned into a sweater is good for many things.  Huh?  That one isn’t super specific enough I mean isn’t ANY sweater knit from handspun yarn good for all things? Also, those who spin on Saturday nights won’t rest in their graves.  Yikes! Guess I’m in for a restless afterlife.

As for the darling fiber critters we all love I found a few funny old superstitions. Goats are pretty cool for mowing down grass and mohair’s pretty dang sweet to work with, but did you know one of their feet can drive off evil spirits?  No worries, if you can’t get your hands on a goat hoof, go for a hair off their beard, those spirits will run for the hills.  Got a kid with whooping cough?  Just let a sheep breath on them, they’ll be fixed right up.  Strangely enough, it’s good luck to see a lamb but bad luck to see a pig.  My mom collects pigs so it’s a darn good thing I collect sheep! They counteract each other right?

Speaking of hair, if you knit one of yours into a project and then give it to someone, it binds you together for life. But, but, what if you knit hair into that sweater or socks for the boyfriend?  Hummmm… just don’t drop the scissors.

Next time you need to frog a project, just think of a person you don’t like. Ripping out your knitting while thinking of that annoying person will hex them. Does the cheating jerk who doesn’t appreciate hand knit items come to mind? Rip!

Unfinished projects will give the intended recipient bad luck.  Holy crow…I have so many UFO’s! I’ve probably started something for just about all my close friends and family. D’oh!  Next time your car breaks down or your house won’t sell, my bad!

If you hand a friend a pair of knitting needles it stabs the friendship.  Most of my friends crochet so I’m pretty safe, but next time I’ll slide those needles across the table. Also, don’t stick your needles right into a ball of yarn!  Bad juju.

I swear this last one was made up by a yarn store owner: Always cast on your next project immediately after finishing.  It’s bad luck for your needles to be empty. It’s also bad luck to not support your local yarn shop! Hehe

What is the silliest superstition you know? I had quite a good time looking into these, would love to hear yours!!!