One of the things I like about social media is that there are many different ways to share information about various crafts out there now, that just did not exist even 10 years ago. I feel like even though I have been making things for a long time, that there is always something new to learn, however I also feel that I still use a lot of trial and error when making things as well and some people don’t always share that part of the process, they just prefer to skip that and not show the effort involved, or how to correct mistakes, which can be disheartening, especially to someone new to the craft. This is where forums come in and blogs, I still love knitting blogs, even though they are not always updated now.
Visual representations like charts, diagrams and photos help me the most, followed by videos, or someone showing me how to do something. Others prefer detailed written instructions. As far as patterns are concerned, I like to have both types of information available, just so I can double check just to make sure. I’m teaching myself how to knit toe up socks just now, so that I can get to the point where I can either knit a basic pair of socks either way up without a pattern, or looking down at my knitting as often, this year is about improving the way my knitting flows. I want to be able to make things that fit based on my own measurements, or to customise patterns to fit in the same way that I have done with some of my sewing projects. I have also just finished spinning up some BFL/Yak/Alpaca/Camel/Silk blends, possibly for a cowl, or a shawl, once they are dry, I can do some sampling to decide what lace patterns I want to use. This photo was taken after plying, but before washing the skeins.
Over the years I have changed the way I knit quite a lot, for many reasons, firstly to improve tension. I used to knit very tightly, I had a death grip on my yarn sometimes which made for wonky stitches, as the yarn got stretched out. Secondly to make it more comfortable to knit for longer periods, I learned to switch over to my left hand. I write and draw mostly with my right, so now I feel like my hands are more evenly balanced. I haven’t really shown that anywhere, but I think that is because I’m wary about doing so, I know my knitting and purling looks odd when people see it and I have seen some odd reactions to it, which is one of the reasons why I think I have been reluctant to video it, but I know it is something that is more comfortable for me long term. My knitting and purling look very similar, the main difference is in the way that the needle goes into the stitch, when I knit the needle goes under the right leg of the V from front to back and to purl the needle goes under the right leg of the V from behind to the front and the yarn is wrapped over the front of the needle to the back for both knit and purl, if that make sense.
I think I’m more of a process knitter, I do want the finished object eventually, but it is more about the time spent enjoying what I’m working on and learning the skills along the way, to make what I want look the way I would like it to. I often have to alter patterns, so over the next few years I feel like I want to explore more resources for adjusting the ones I have and for writing a few things for myself from scratch. I have thought about writing up a few ideas, but I know I prefer to make things rather than promote them, I don’t enjoy that bit! It is a long term goal along with spinning some yarns to go with them and recording that process/progress as well. I love seeing everyone’s Make Nine’s on Instagram, there are so many gorgeous items made every year, but I know that planning everything that far in advance doesn’t always work for me. What kinds of knitting websites do you enjoy and what kinds of instructions work for you?