So this is a report on knitting in Italy in general.
For some reason I thought knitting would be more common in Europe, or at least more accepted. But I’ve gathered it’s just as odd here for a young lady to bring out her knitting while sunbathing or on the bus. In fact it’s probably more odd as they add it to the list of the strange American things I do. The boys I babysit find it annoying because they’d rather I’d be playing with them. Oh well. Every little girl I meet worships me and pretends to knit next me. One of many reasons I should’ve picked girl children. In general EVERY old lady who sees me tries to come up and talk to me. Even the really fashionable old ladies who you wouldn’t think knit. It’s really sad though because none of them speak English, and I’d love nothing more than to discuss knitting with them. It always ends up being a little awkward and they walk away. Especially while I was knitting my bathing suit, quite scandalous once the old ladies realize what it is. Oh well. My Italian is getting better, maybe sometime soon I’ll be able to communicate better. Maybe I’ll focus on knitting words.
It has been the greatest way to relax here though; the best break from stressful communication issues and child watching. I’ve tried combining the getting gelato/knitting activities, but gelato melts too fast here so I have to eat all the ice cream, then knit. Which is fine, I use the excuse to sit in the cute cafes longer. One of the best activities I’ve found is discovering gelato flavors. Some are really difficult to figure out, and if you’ve been reading my blog you’ll remember great amarena/amaretto confusion. My latest adventure in gelato flavor exploration was when I went to knit yesterday afternoon. I got the classic nocciola (hazelnut), and amarena again as I really like it, but I was intrigued by a yellow and red gelato called zuppainglese. I asked the attendant what it was as she spoke a little english, and she excitedly translated “english soup”. Well, I had gathered this much as that’s the direct translation, but I still had no idea what it could be. It looked like cheesecake flavored ice cream, or maybe raspberry lemonade. So I ordered it. At first it did taste like cheesecake so I thought I was correct. Upon further enjoyment I decided it tasted more like egg nog. It was delicious, but I still did not know what it was. Later I remembered to translate it, and apparently zuppa inglese is “trifle”! A very random flavor, but that’s half the fun!
I finally managed to snap a picture of one of lizards around here while I was knitting. It was difficult, it scuttled by a few times and I didn’t have enough time to get my camera out. This time it stop to drink some water from the base of a plant. I win.
Finished my bathing suit!
Summer in Pescara 
Reblogged this on Crafting College.
Did you knit the bathing suit? It’s nice!!
Yes I just finished it! Wearing it to the beach for the first time today.
Well you did a great job. Tell the boys to look but don’t touch. (Can you tell I’m a mom??)
Haha my host mom said the same thing, she said I wasn’t allowed to wear it to the beach.
You’re more likely to find women making lace in Italy. I think they crochet it. Pretty suit! Love the color. If you keep eating ice cream the way you are, you won’t fit into it!
I know I’m worried! It’s too hot to not eat ice cream though haha. I’ve been finding time to jog so I think that will at least cancel it out.
I actually did meet a lady crocheting something lacy today! I might try and take up crocheting while I’m hear, it’s something I’ve never really gotten into.
It’s not much different than knitting. From what I understand, the women who crochet these laces can charge a pretty penny because it is very labor intensive. But you don’t have to do the same stitches that they do. On the other hand, if you need the money, maybe they will teach you a few steps!