I have been really lazy in the yarn department so I decided I needed to get off the computer, put the books down and pick up some yarn and retry a knitting project I tried a few years ago. I have been a crocheter for a very long time and it is really relaxing and easy, but knitting is not as easy for me. I have to have total silence so that I can focus on nothing but knitting. I understand the basics, but my biggest problem is fixing mistakes! When I took knitting lessons our teacher didn't teach us all of the basics, she just had us pick a project and then she helped us with that project. I wanted to try felting and it was fun, but the problem was that anytime I made a mistake the teacher would tell me not to worry about it because I would never be able to see it after the bag was felted. Hence my inability to fix mistakes.
So here is the project I started a few years ago (I am wondering why on earth I ever wanted to make a shawl) and made a huge mistake and when I couldn't figure out how to fix it I got pissed and pulled the whole thing out. That is why I have this gigantic ball of pink yarn, which by the way cost a pretty penny. I have felt guilty for awhile that it was just sitting in the drawer so I thought I would try again. This time I was only a few rows in before I messed it up. I went to Ben Franklin and asked someone how to fix the problem. She showed me how to work backwards to get rid of the problem. Of course I didn't stay at the store and do it and when I got home and finished I had the yarn from the ball weaved in at both ends of the needle. Why does this happen? If any fellow knitters could enlighten me I would really appreciate it.
I was tired of the big pink ball so I decided to try practicing on with a nice easy wash cloth. Well things have been going great until today. Somehow I managed to get 2 extra loops of yarn (not really stitches) on the needle. I know that without seeing it is hard to tell, but what do I do when this happens? Well anyways, I decided to pull the work off of the needle, pull out a few rows and try again and to my delight it worked!!!!
Hopefully I will have more knitting updates soon. My mom's group is working on having a knitting night so hopefully I will find someone here in town that can help me out. I may also look into taking more lessons.
4 comments:
I totally know what you mean about fixing mistakes. I hate that. I was super proud of myself when I noticed a run in my sock and I went on youtube and totally figured out how to fix it. I am always adding extra stitches and I don't know how I do it. If you have questions in the future, try youtube!! I'm serious. Just type in what you want to do a and see if there is a video. Sometimes you have to re-word your query, but it usually works for me.
Congrats on the wash cloth, though!! I totally want to make some more.
Yeah for you for picking up the knitting! Going back and fixing mistakes is hard and rather nerve racking! It's basically just knitting backwards. I also recommend youtube. Also try an actually yarn shop. I'm not trying to be disrepectful of Ben Franklin, but they can really help you there. Plus, they may also know where you find a knitting group. Since joining mine, I've become a much better knitter. Plus I've met most of my Seattle friends through the group! Good luck! And keep up posted!
Jen: I'm so proud of you picking up the needles again. Youtube is an excellent source of information as it the site www.knittinghelp.com -- and I can't echo Meg enough -- definitely join a knitting group. It's great for learning AND making new friends. Good Luck and definitely keep trying.
Remember - the really great thing about yarn is that you can knit with it, make a mistake, pull it back and start over and endless number of times. Yarn always looks great. So practice and try and if you make a mistake you don't want to live with - try to fix it or pull it back and start over. You can't hurt it!
Good Luck!
Way to not let it get the best of you! So impressive! -S
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