I'm getting better at reading my knitting, but I still make a lot of assumptions about how it's going. With lace I have to use stitch markers across the row or I'd be in the most terrible mess.
I love my markers. If I get to the end of a row of lace and have an extra stitch, it’s much easier to count between the markers to find the section with the error than to individually eyeball each stitch. I think stitch markers can help you get better at reading stitches.
I agree about stitch markers being the best aids to reading knitting. In fact I rely on them more as I get better at knitting because, I realize how much time they end up saving!
Great post! For some reason reading my knitting is much easier than reading my crochet to me. I’m sure it’s because I’ve got loads more experience with knitting than crochet, but that “comfort “ level is what keeps me knitting vs. dabbling in crochet more. It’s also interesting to me that some patterns, aka lace shawls, make more sense in my brain when I need to go back and read, frog and reknit as needed than say, socks, with construction especially.
Thank you. Depending on which craft we have spent more time with, I think the "comfort level" tends to increase/decrease. My guess is that the 3D nature of sock heels makes it very difficult to visualize through written instructions. You are right. It is possible to go through a few pairs without grasping the construction fully.
Being able to read my knitting was something I learned fairly early on- I think the knitting book I used helped with this by showing how different increases and decreases look and affect the fabric. It makes it easy to spot an error and fix it before ripping out is necessary. It also helps me with making decisions to personalize projects- I know what results to expect from the pattern instructions and I can substitute when I want something different.
I’m really impressed that you’re knitting brioche while walking. For some reason, I find it more intimidating than cables or lace. Probably because I don’t have much experience with it and it would require a lot of thinking for me to figure out how to fix it if I messed up.
Oh, you bring up a very good point. I learned from picture books and blogs too and I agree that pictures are great tools to learn about the look of increases/decreases. Thank you so much! Brioche took a while for me to grasp. Learning to fix mistakes took some more time before getting confident with it. I have been teaching beginner brioche classes for the past 2 years now and ironically that helps me to reinforce my own learning too. :)
I recently put out a video that explains step-by-step, knitting a 2-color brioche swatch in real time. Swatch instructions are available in the description box. Please check it out if you like. https://youtu.be/2PZwim4DhvU?si=-Krywa-RJziItikt
Nice post Kavitha. I like encouraging us to take our time with our knitting and pay attention to each stitch when you are learning anything new. This pays off later on other projects when we can clearly see what is on our needles. I am all for stitch and row markers to help visualize pattern repeats and the like. Simple things like counting the stitches on your needle by 2's becomes a happy little habit that helps you own your knitting.
Wow Sandy, I love how you said "own your knitting". Ha, that's what it is. Until we know to read and fix mistakes ourselves, we tend to tread warily around our own work, isn't it? Absolutely yes for stitch markers. I don't think I ever want to 'graduate' out of using them. :)
👍 Knitting is full of learning and mostly it is doable! One just needs to stay with it and grow your skills. I love that your patterns provide the opportunity to be challenged with something new and then to succeed! ✨
It does make sense. I am still in the basic skill level and like you said reading the knitting is very important and it is not always that I do that. :)
Oh Vidya, you underestimate yourself. I love the kind of projects you are choosing lately. Just with a little bit of intentional reading here and there, will boost your knitting career so much.
Learning to read my knitting was when I became a "real knitter." All of the sudden, I could see my mistakes and go back and fix them. Great post and wonderful encouragement! And, I love brioche! Although, it is one of the kinds of knitting that I understand the least, even if it is some of the prettiest!
Lol! "Real knitter" it is! Isn't it is so much satisfying to spot something and know that you can fix it? Yay for brioche love!! 💗
I recently put out a video that explains step-by-step, knitting a 2-color brioche swatch in real time. Swatch instructions are available in the description box. Please check it out if you like. https://youtu.be/2PZwim4DhvU?si=-Krywa-RJziItikt
I'm getting better at reading my knitting, but I still make a lot of assumptions about how it's going. With lace I have to use stitch markers across the row or I'd be in the most terrible mess.
Stitch markers are the way to go! There are no good reasons to not use them IMO.
I love my markers. If I get to the end of a row of lace and have an extra stitch, it’s much easier to count between the markers to find the section with the error than to individually eyeball each stitch. I think stitch markers can help you get better at reading stitches.
I agree about stitch markers being the best aids to reading knitting. In fact I rely on them more as I get better at knitting because, I realize how much time they end up saving!
Great post! For some reason reading my knitting is much easier than reading my crochet to me. I’m sure it’s because I’ve got loads more experience with knitting than crochet, but that “comfort “ level is what keeps me knitting vs. dabbling in crochet more. It’s also interesting to me that some patterns, aka lace shawls, make more sense in my brain when I need to go back and read, frog and reknit as needed than say, socks, with construction especially.
Thank you. Depending on which craft we have spent more time with, I think the "comfort level" tends to increase/decrease. My guess is that the 3D nature of sock heels makes it very difficult to visualize through written instructions. You are right. It is possible to go through a few pairs without grasping the construction fully.
Being able to read my knitting was something I learned fairly early on- I think the knitting book I used helped with this by showing how different increases and decreases look and affect the fabric. It makes it easy to spot an error and fix it before ripping out is necessary. It also helps me with making decisions to personalize projects- I know what results to expect from the pattern instructions and I can substitute when I want something different.
I’m really impressed that you’re knitting brioche while walking. For some reason, I find it more intimidating than cables or lace. Probably because I don’t have much experience with it and it would require a lot of thinking for me to figure out how to fix it if I messed up.
Oh, you bring up a very good point. I learned from picture books and blogs too and I agree that pictures are great tools to learn about the look of increases/decreases. Thank you so much! Brioche took a while for me to grasp. Learning to fix mistakes took some more time before getting confident with it. I have been teaching beginner brioche classes for the past 2 years now and ironically that helps me to reinforce my own learning too. :)
I recently put out a video that explains step-by-step, knitting a 2-color brioche swatch in real time. Swatch instructions are available in the description box. Please check it out if you like. https://youtu.be/2PZwim4DhvU?si=-Krywa-RJziItikt
Nice post Kavitha. I like encouraging us to take our time with our knitting and pay attention to each stitch when you are learning anything new. This pays off later on other projects when we can clearly see what is on our needles. I am all for stitch and row markers to help visualize pattern repeats and the like. Simple things like counting the stitches on your needle by 2's becomes a happy little habit that helps you own your knitting.
Wow Sandy, I love how you said "own your knitting". Ha, that's what it is. Until we know to read and fix mistakes ourselves, we tend to tread warily around our own work, isn't it? Absolutely yes for stitch markers. I don't think I ever want to 'graduate' out of using them. :)
👍 Knitting is full of learning and mostly it is doable! One just needs to stay with it and grow your skills. I love that your patterns provide the opportunity to be challenged with something new and then to succeed! ✨
Aww, thank you Sandy, you are so kind. 🤗💝
It does make sense. I am still in the basic skill level and like you said reading the knitting is very important and it is not always that I do that. :)
Oh Vidya, you underestimate yourself. I love the kind of projects you are choosing lately. Just with a little bit of intentional reading here and there, will boost your knitting career so much.
You are kind :)
Learning to read my knitting was when I became a "real knitter." All of the sudden, I could see my mistakes and go back and fix them. Great post and wonderful encouragement! And, I love brioche! Although, it is one of the kinds of knitting that I understand the least, even if it is some of the prettiest!
Lol! "Real knitter" it is! Isn't it is so much satisfying to spot something and know that you can fix it? Yay for brioche love!! 💗
I recently put out a video that explains step-by-step, knitting a 2-color brioche swatch in real time. Swatch instructions are available in the description box. Please check it out if you like. https://youtu.be/2PZwim4DhvU?si=-Krywa-RJziItikt
I love this concept of knitting "intuition". It's like a muscle which you can intentionally develop.
Thank you so much. That's right. Intention is key here.