After years of knitting, I find myself comfortable with most of the challenges. Yes, even the finishing work, which after you have done enough of it, you will know the right type of seaming will work with the knit you are working on and give you the look that you desire. And it will go rather quickly.! 👍Sometimes I am hungry for the challenge of say a Fair Isle or other patterned knit, while at other times a top-down one-piece knit is just the ticket for rather mindless knitting on the bus or watching tv. These days when choosing knits for myself, I mostly look for patterns worked in lighter weight yarns on smaller needles because that produces a garment that I am more likely to wear indoors. I keep a garment of similar construction that fits well, nearby to compare the size and shaping. This allows me to alter a pattern as needed. Light weight cardigans are a favorite. I also like to knit for babies and toddlers. There are so many fun patterns and they knit up pretty quickly and are nice to have on hand as gifts and to donate.
What a fun mix of things to knit Sandy. I can see how challenges become more comfortable the more stick with them. And then you actually become hungry for those challenges, like you put. The way you explain makes me want to knit a light weight garment for myself too. 🥰
I don’t think anything is too hard at this point- some things are more fussy that what I want to deal with unless I REALLY want the fo. Usually colorwork involving more than 2 colors on a row fall into this, as does most seaming. I detest setting in sleeves. With millions of patterns to choose from, I’ll find something else to love. Fun post- thank you!
I love how you said "more fussy than what I want to deal with". You are right, with all those choices one can build their knitting careers exactly the way they want to.
Not so far tempted by socks! Cowls or hats are my go-to anytime knits. I tend to learn techniques in order to complete a pattern that enchants me; I worked my first cables because I was in love with the little stuffed sheep designed by herdy.co.uk and determined to make him, and love made it a success. (Well, love and a fair few do-overs.) A dear friend gifted me with pattern and yarn for an intricate tree-of-life pattern blanket that took me several years to finish and taught me a long list of new techniques: cables in all directions! bobbles! all sorts! Knit my first sweater as a gift for my small god-daughter. Sometimes I will invent a project in order to try a lace pattern that looks delicious.
Just not drawn to them! For comfort reasons I can only wear very specific (boring) socks myself -- and, as you suggested, there's something off-putting about the idea of subjecting a hand-knit to the kind of wear that socks get. I know lots of knitters love making them, though, and I've seen some amazing patterns. Maybe one day...?
Ah ok! I've been at that end of the spectrum. Now I love sock projects and try to have always one going on in my needles for someone in the family. Commercial sock yarns are really good for that kind of wear and those might be a good place to start rather than something hand-dyed. They come in such fun colors and make for a compact portable project. It took me a few pairs to get the fit right. But once that is settled, sock knitting offers a ton of things to explore.
Such fascinating projects! I love the idea of inventing a project to try a stitch pattern. I am fascinated by Japanese lace stitches and feel like trying every one of them. 😅
Tbh when I started knitting I didn't know enough to know certain things were difficult, so within my 18 months of knitting I'd done cables, lace pattern tops, socks with DPNs, jumpers... Am I competent at all these techniques? Passable. Do I always want to knit complicated things (complicated to me)? Not necessarily; sometimes - many times - it's okay to do what feels comforting. It's crafting. Soothing is good.
Lisa, your pathway to knitting almost sounds like mine. I hopped from one thing to another very quickly producing passable FOs. Now years later, I too want comfort more than anything else from the craft. Yes, the design side of things will be challenging but I do look forward to some of those.
I was really a crocheter for soooo long! I just couldn’t figure out knitting. Now I am knitting a pair of socks every month! I love them! My daughter loves to wear them. I am now knitting more than crochet. I don’t think I would say I am expert, more advanced beginner? Intermediate makes me think of stranded colorwork and I have not mastered the tension. Advanced says making your own pattern and I don’t think I have interest in that. I’d much rather buy from designers like you. 😍
Awww, thank you so much for your kind words. I was an avid crocheter too before I really got into knitting. And I have a daughter who loves hand knit socks too. Most things in knitting have a substantial learning curve compared to crochet. I didn't get well-fitting socks until several pairs. I have dabbled in colorwork here and there and the one single tip that improved my tension is this: Keep the stitches on the left needle spread apart as you are working them. This helps to keep the strands loose and flexible and help with overall tension.
Interesting! Thank you! I am working on a hat, so I’ll think about that. I think one of the main reasons it was tight was because of dpns as opposed to circular. The hats worked up quite nicely on the circular. 🤷♀️ I am all about the practice! 😃
I enjoy knitting socks and wearing them. No qualms about hiding them in my shoes. It's almost like I have a secret on my feet hidden away from the world.
Good for you to be learning something new Neha! Love that feeling of climbing the learning curve!! :)) I'm sure you do too. ❤️ When I had just begun to knit, I was frogging all my knitting as I didn't know how to fix mistakes until a friend showed me once. Learning to fix mistakes is a powerful step up. Watch some videos (Roxanne Richardson on Youtube is great) or have your friend show you sometime. All the very best for your knitting adventures.
I've been knitting for 20 years and my hubby and I even owned a yarn shop for a couple of years. I choose projects by what I feel like knitting and what I "need." Right now, I'm making a wedding shawl for my nephew's fiance, a baby blanket for the same nephew and fiance's baby, a T-shirt sweater because I can never have enough, and a blanket for myself because I have had the pattern bookmarked for a while and it was time to start it about a year ago. There are very few techniques that I know of that I haven't tried. I love socks, lace, brioche, double knitting, color work, even set-in sleeves. The thing I don't like is reorganizing my yarn stash! I'm definitely going to check out your brioche pattern!
Thank you!! I love your approach to knitting. I can sometimes spend too much time reorganizing things (digital and physical) and not get any real work done. I love that it's the least of your priorities. :)) All of your current projects sound so adorable. T-shirt sweaters make so much sense as they can be worn through the year - sometimes by themselves, sometimes as a layer.
Another fantastic post Kavitha :) I find knitting socks very rewarding, particularly when the stitch pattern reveals itself and looks amazing. I'm still learning with each project I undertake. That's the beauty of knitting, there's something for everyone :)
Thank you for your kind words as always, Jodie. Socks are fascinating to me too because the stitch patterns show up beautifully on a relatively small area. 🥰 Learning is the most beautiful part of knitting, I agree.
I've been there too. I abandoned it for years completely after trying one sock. If you ever want to try again, please check Earthtones girls YouTube videos on No Fear Sock Knitting. She explains everything in real time so beautifully.
After years of knitting, I find myself comfortable with most of the challenges. Yes, even the finishing work, which after you have done enough of it, you will know the right type of seaming will work with the knit you are working on and give you the look that you desire. And it will go rather quickly.! 👍Sometimes I am hungry for the challenge of say a Fair Isle or other patterned knit, while at other times a top-down one-piece knit is just the ticket for rather mindless knitting on the bus or watching tv. These days when choosing knits for myself, I mostly look for patterns worked in lighter weight yarns on smaller needles because that produces a garment that I am more likely to wear indoors. I keep a garment of similar construction that fits well, nearby to compare the size and shaping. This allows me to alter a pattern as needed. Light weight cardigans are a favorite. I also like to knit for babies and toddlers. There are so many fun patterns and they knit up pretty quickly and are nice to have on hand as gifts and to donate.
What a fun mix of things to knit Sandy. I can see how challenges become more comfortable the more stick with them. And then you actually become hungry for those challenges, like you put. The way you explain makes me want to knit a light weight garment for myself too. 🥰
I don’t think anything is too hard at this point- some things are more fussy that what I want to deal with unless I REALLY want the fo. Usually colorwork involving more than 2 colors on a row fall into this, as does most seaming. I detest setting in sleeves. With millions of patterns to choose from, I’ll find something else to love. Fun post- thank you!
I love how you said "more fussy than what I want to deal with". You are right, with all those choices one can build their knitting careers exactly the way they want to.
Not so far tempted by socks! Cowls or hats are my go-to anytime knits. I tend to learn techniques in order to complete a pattern that enchants me; I worked my first cables because I was in love with the little stuffed sheep designed by herdy.co.uk and determined to make him, and love made it a success. (Well, love and a fair few do-overs.) A dear friend gifted me with pattern and yarn for an intricate tree-of-life pattern blanket that took me several years to finish and taught me a long list of new techniques: cables in all directions! bobbles! all sorts! Knit my first sweater as a gift for my small god-daughter. Sometimes I will invent a project in order to try a lace pattern that looks delicious.
But what is your reason for not trying socks, may I ask? :)
Just not drawn to them! For comfort reasons I can only wear very specific (boring) socks myself -- and, as you suggested, there's something off-putting about the idea of subjecting a hand-knit to the kind of wear that socks get. I know lots of knitters love making them, though, and I've seen some amazing patterns. Maybe one day...?
Ah ok! I've been at that end of the spectrum. Now I love sock projects and try to have always one going on in my needles for someone in the family. Commercial sock yarns are really good for that kind of wear and those might be a good place to start rather than something hand-dyed. They come in such fun colors and make for a compact portable project. It took me a few pairs to get the fit right. But once that is settled, sock knitting offers a ton of things to explore.
Such fascinating projects! I love the idea of inventing a project to try a stitch pattern. I am fascinated by Japanese lace stitches and feel like trying every one of them. 😅
Tbh when I started knitting I didn't know enough to know certain things were difficult, so within my 18 months of knitting I'd done cables, lace pattern tops, socks with DPNs, jumpers... Am I competent at all these techniques? Passable. Do I always want to knit complicated things (complicated to me)? Not necessarily; sometimes - many times - it's okay to do what feels comforting. It's crafting. Soothing is good.
Lisa, your pathway to knitting almost sounds like mine. I hopped from one thing to another very quickly producing passable FOs. Now years later, I too want comfort more than anything else from the craft. Yes, the design side of things will be challenging but I do look forward to some of those.
I was really a crocheter for soooo long! I just couldn’t figure out knitting. Now I am knitting a pair of socks every month! I love them! My daughter loves to wear them. I am now knitting more than crochet. I don’t think I would say I am expert, more advanced beginner? Intermediate makes me think of stranded colorwork and I have not mastered the tension. Advanced says making your own pattern and I don’t think I have interest in that. I’d much rather buy from designers like you. 😍
Awww, thank you so much for your kind words. I was an avid crocheter too before I really got into knitting. And I have a daughter who loves hand knit socks too. Most things in knitting have a substantial learning curve compared to crochet. I didn't get well-fitting socks until several pairs. I have dabbled in colorwork here and there and the one single tip that improved my tension is this: Keep the stitches on the left needle spread apart as you are working them. This helps to keep the strands loose and flexible and help with overall tension.
Keep the stitches spread apart on the right needle, not left. 😬
Interesting! Thank you! I am working on a hat, so I’ll think about that. I think one of the main reasons it was tight was because of dpns as opposed to circular. The hats worked up quite nicely on the circular. 🤷♀️ I am all about the practice! 😃
I enjoy knitting socks and wearing them. No qualms about hiding them in my shoes. It's almost like I have a secret on my feet hidden away from the world.
Personally I have moved from being terrified of socks to now knitting them constantly for everyone in my family. 😅
Wonderful!
Lol! I love that.
As a designer I agree with everything you say. Thank you for another great post.
Sock knitting is my go to for relaxation as well as being super portable wherever I go. 🥰
Thank you so much! I am so glad you enjoyed this one Heike! Socks has become my go to as well. ☺️
I am a very new beginner and I don’t know what I’d do if I dropped a knit.. apart from an experienced friend fix it for me!
Good for you to be learning something new Neha! Love that feeling of climbing the learning curve!! :)) I'm sure you do too. ❤️ When I had just begun to knit, I was frogging all my knitting as I didn't know how to fix mistakes until a friend showed me once. Learning to fix mistakes is a powerful step up. Watch some videos (Roxanne Richardson on Youtube is great) or have your friend show you sometime. All the very best for your knitting adventures.
I've been knitting for 20 years and my hubby and I even owned a yarn shop for a couple of years. I choose projects by what I feel like knitting and what I "need." Right now, I'm making a wedding shawl for my nephew's fiance, a baby blanket for the same nephew and fiance's baby, a T-shirt sweater because I can never have enough, and a blanket for myself because I have had the pattern bookmarked for a while and it was time to start it about a year ago. There are very few techniques that I know of that I haven't tried. I love socks, lace, brioche, double knitting, color work, even set-in sleeves. The thing I don't like is reorganizing my yarn stash! I'm definitely going to check out your brioche pattern!
Thank you!! I love your approach to knitting. I can sometimes spend too much time reorganizing things (digital and physical) and not get any real work done. I love that it's the least of your priorities. :)) All of your current projects sound so adorable. T-shirt sweaters make so much sense as they can be worn through the year - sometimes by themselves, sometimes as a layer.
Another fantastic post Kavitha :) I find knitting socks very rewarding, particularly when the stitch pattern reveals itself and looks amazing. I'm still learning with each project I undertake. That's the beauty of knitting, there's something for everyone :)
Thank you for your kind words as always, Jodie. Socks are fascinating to me too because the stitch patterns show up beautifully on a relatively small area. 🥰 Learning is the most beautiful part of knitting, I agree.
Oooh and I'm definitely going to try out the Nimbu Masala Soda. It sounds delicious, I adore mint!
Yay!! Let me know how you liked it.
Shall do :)
Socks terrify me.
I've been there too. I abandoned it for years completely after trying one sock. If you ever want to try again, please check Earthtones girls YouTube videos on No Fear Sock Knitting. She explains everything in real time so beautifully.
Thank you for the suggestions and your beautiful patterns.