This has been my couch position every January for the past three years. I pick up the bamboo needles once again in hopes of mastering the art of knitting. And all of the supplies are promptly banished in February for lack of instruction from someone else who really *gets* this whole knitting thing.
It was the last week of December and I thought, "I am not going to let this whole knitting failure thing keep me from trying to learn once again!" So I emailed a local yarn shop to ask when the beginner class would begin... and when the response came, I immediately signed up. This past Tuesday and this next Tuesday are my final attempts in seeking to learn this soothing (sometimes!) meditative (mostly!) craft.
In my knitting meanderings, I have found a few things to be helpful:
- Get a real-life teacher. Someone who really knows what they are talking about and have the completed projects to prove it.
- When away from real-life teacher, these are great videos to help you when you get stuck.
- Buy yarn and needles that you love...because you sit and touch both of those for long periods of time.
- The book Kids Knitting is a great resource....for ADULT beginners! Simple thoughtful instructions with easy projects. I checked it out from our local library.
- Knit with a goal. I find it easy to give up on learning a new skill when I don't know why I am even doing it to begin with. Finding out about the new Craft Hope project really encouraged me to follow-through and complete a project this time! Blessing others with our skills is a beautiful thing.
7 comments:
Diagonal dishrags- small, functional, easy, and it doesn't matter if they turn out a bit wonky the first few times. This pattern is fun http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/FL_ST_Needlearts_2006-101pr.pdf
Oh, and cotton yarn is pretty cheap as a bonus! They definitely hold my attention more than a scarf would too at first.
I find it fascinating that the passage of time gives me "ah ha" moments with my knitting. Sometimes I just can't figure something out and I set the piece down, give my brain some time to do its calculations and my heart some time to calm down. When I pick it up again - I get it! Now if I could just figure out why I love knitting books more than knitting.
Knitting is my absolute favorite handcraft. It is all you have said, and I am confident you will learn to knit and you will love it!
Aimee,
My cousin's wife is self-described as "obsessed" with knitting. She even is raising sheep (and will use their wool for knitting!). Anyway, here's her blog http://kellanefarm.blogspot.com/ and she has lots of links on there to other knitting blogs! If I can ever get up to Wisconsin, I'm going to get her to teach me! :-)
Tracye
thanks sara! great idea to do dishcloths! I printed out that pattern.
thanks for the encouragement Pom Pom and Linda!!
Tracye, I'll check out her blog!
教育的目的，不在應該思考什麼，而是教吾人怎樣思考.........................
I only crochet so far, but my secret weapon whenever I get stuck or want to try something new... youtube! Great people who make great little videos are waiting there to help you :)All hours of the day and night, too.
Post a Comment