Comments on: Learning New Techniques

By: SeattleSuze

SeattleSuze — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 07:56:13 +0000

As a relatively new knitter (1 year and counting), I’m still loving the challenge of getting to mindless knitting. It’s coming, I can feel it happening, but I still have to look at my needles and be in good light. I’ve been working on picking up speed, learning Continental style, and am pushing myself in 2012 to make something from intarsia, entrelac, brioche, something with lace stitches, and a garment of some kind. Scarves, mitts, hats, and socks are all projects I have under my belt and it’s down to the point that I have to just gut it out and go for it. I had hoped to spin enough yarn of my own that I could make a vest, but geeze, that’s a lot of yarn!

By: Anna

Anna — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 05:32:37 +0000

I like making things that have a purpose – generally small things that I can give as gifts. (i.e. baby bibs & soakers) Socks still make me nervous. But recently I decided to face my fear of garment knitting. I’m still in the beginning of knitting an Amiga sweater. Once I’ve finished it, I’m thinking of making some thrummed mittens. They look really fun and would be a great way to use up some roving in my stash.

By: Sheri at The Loopy Ewe » Have You Branched Out? And a CONTEST!

Sheri at The Loopy Ewe » Have You Branched Out? And a CONTEST! — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:17:57 +0000

[...] things I want to try next. First – Colorwork. In particular, colorwork mittens. Oh, I tried one. But I need to get much much better at my tension, before I feel like I can enjoy the whole [...]

By: Sheri at The Loopy Ewe » Your Best Work Ever?

Sheri at The Loopy Ewe » Your Best Work Ever? — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:14:55 +0000

[...] about, if someone asked to see (or hear about) your best knitting project? We’ve talked about knitting for relaxation vs. knitting for a challenge before. I think all of us agreed that we have some projects that would fit into each category. [...]

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:46:37 +0000

Hi Sherry, I have knitted for many, many years. I love to plan new projects, but the actual execution and end result might not equal the planning stage. Execution can be down right tedious. I did find out something interesting tho – my husband finds my knitting relaxing! He said ‘I like it when you knit.’ I was puzzled. Months later, old friends of his told me that his long-deceased mother was a prolific (british) knitter. So now I knit for my project satisfaction and indirectly for his relaxation. Weired, huh?

By: Deb

Deb — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:52:57 +0000

I don’t like knitting the same thing twice – this even is problem with socks! I am always looking to try something new. I also tend to have a “big” project and travel project. These tend to also change up the size needles I am using to give me hands a change of pace.

Even with the desire to knit something different, I find knitting to be my ultimate relaxation – if it is a thinking project, it is hard to fret about other life concerns.

By: nancy

nancy — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:20:43 +0000

I knit to preserve my sanity. The fiber running thru my fingers is soothing and I can lose myself in the pure motion and process of knitting. Keeps my mind busy and keeps it from running around in and to places I would prefer it not go at this time.

By: Cathy-Cate

Cathy-Cate — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 02:17:45 +0000

I need to do something new every so often. It’s so fun! But I also need something mindless to do at, erm, work, or on the go.

Laceweight is hard to find time for because it does take concentration, no matter what, with the relatively large needles for the size of the yarn. My daughter has requested a laceweight shawl and I’ve started it (and already messed up on row 9 or so, so I need quiet time to figure out what I did). It’s going to take a good long time to finish, and I’ve already warned her of that!

You know I wear my Girasole! You saw it at the Spring Fling! I actually wear it and other shawls a fair amount, in my office, at church, at home.

By: Janet C

Janet C — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:46:57 +0000

The teacher in me tells me that one must never stop learning, so I am always trying to expand and improve my knowledge in many ways. I’ve taken sewing to the quilting and home decorating level, and I have worked to bring new challenges into my knitting as I continue to work with fibers. I am now doing my first-ever two-color item (a hat!), and it is going well now that I can knit “both ways.”

Another area I’ve gotten into has been lace knitting, which I LOVE. I hope to someday try spinning, too, but my family feels I’m obsessed and need a new life!

By: Orli

Orli — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:06:56 +0000

When I’m trying to relax, I knit something simple or relatively mindless…the long stockinette body of a sweater or a sleeve, just a few increases or decreases here and there. When I’m watching TV I’ve usually got a sock or a hat on the needles, with the pattern within eyesight but not obscuring my view.

I LOVE colorwork and working lace patterns on big needles for extra oomph, so I do those often as well.

Lace knitting on tiny needles with tiny yarn can be fun, especially if the end project is for someone else–like you, Sheri, I don’t wear the shawls and otherwise I won’t knit them.

So–when I’m knitting for fun, I do stuff I’m used to and comfortable with–but once I’ve tried out the new techniques, if I like them I’ll bring them into my routine and if I don’t–I don’t bother with them again.