Knitting: For Beginners

I've scoured the web, Pinterest, Ravelry, Craftgawker, and many other places in search of free patterns for beginning knitters. My search made me VORACIOUS. I wanted to make as many things as I could!

I think it's very important for beginners to have a variety of simple patterns to practice with - and that they be practical projects too. It's a wonderful feeling to take the time to choose the items for your project, like the type of yarn and colour.

One of my first items was a dishcloth/washcloth - depending on how you use it.


My first stitch that I learned was the "knit" stitch, which when worked back and forth over rows creates a "garter" stitch. It's so easy that many of my first items are made in this way.

SO! I found this pattern, the "Almost Lost Washcloth" pattern. A beautiful star-like pattern, which I thought would be the perfect introduction for making and item from instructions. (NOTE: This pattern has since been updated with photos, and clearer terminology. Find it here.)

 

 I began with a curve... but those points are getting smaller... what the what?

Unfortunately, my first efforts we less than stellar. I was certain I was following the instructions correctly, but my work was looking nothing like the original.

I ripped back my stitches at least four times trying to figure out where I had gone wrong to no avail. My work continued to look like a lazy strip more than a circle.

I would not be deterred. I did more searching, and found another tutorial for the same item that gave step-by-step photos. "Sunburst"14-Point Knitted Washcloth FINALLY! I began to see the dishcloth come to life!

 Two points for Christine!

Now that I knew what I was doing - the rest of the cloth whipped up pretty quickly! Each time I completed another point, I was so excited - it was working!

 

 Round and round we go! Since it's cotton... perhaps it would make a good pot holder too.

I'm so proud of this project, and the fact that I was able to keep with it, and not give up. So often when we start learning a new skill, we get really excited but easily discouraged when it takes time to master the new skills. This can be for any new skill, not just creative ones.

The key is so stick with it, even if you have to take a break to regroup or rest and try again the next day. Practice, practice, and even more practice!

Creatively Christine

Knit-wit

I've been bitten.

I caught the bug.

I'm... a knitter.

Early last year I tried to learn a few hand-crafts: quilting, embroidery and knitting. I was excited for the quilting because I'm always cold and making something decorative would be a great bonus. So I started with a bit of reading, and following some blogs. Unfortunately I don't have a sewing machine of my own, and my hand-stitching is less than stellar. The embroidery started well enough - I fancied myself making rude little pieces to share with friends, and making little gifts for Christmas. While I did make the Christmas gifts, but it never got any farther than that - again, my hand-stitching was very slow.

Then came knitting. One of my friends taught me how to cast on, and knit a simple garter stitch. I started very simply with a scarf - but it took me a year to complete. I can't recall why it took so long, considering how much I really enjoy knitting now - but there you have it. I planned to make the scarf for myself, but since I was planning on doing a hand-made holiday, I thought it best to give to my sister-in-law (she lives in a colder area than I do!)

She loved the gift, and then my mom wanted one as well, so I spent the next two days after boxing day whipping up a scarf for her - and that's when I knew... I was in DEEP.

Let's see the run down so far:

• Scarf for sister-in-law
• Scarf for mother
• Scarf for myself
• Scarf for my brother
• Ear warmers for myself
• Ear warmers for another friend 
• Scarf for yet another (can you see a theme for a beginning knitter?)
• Dishcloth #1
• Dishcloth #2
• Dishcloth #3 (another great project idea for beginning knitters!)
• WIP - Baby blanket for my cousin
• Next up: hand-warmers (remember how I said I'm always cold?)

All since Christmas. I would say I've been very busy. ;)

I wish I'd taken the time to get photos of all the projects, but for me the excitement of making the items is giving them to family and friends that I know will love them. It's a relaxing activity that helps me focus on nothing but the task at hand, and often clears my head from the nonsense of the day. So even if I don't have photos, I do have the memories of happy faces.

I think that matters more.


Creativity Christine