Well here I am about to start this journey on learning how to knit! I have to admit that it seems like a daunting task. I prefer to learn in person with hands on instruction so the idea of learning through online resources seems outside my comfort zone and a tad overwhelming. Luckily, videos can be a great visual tool to help learn a skill online and I feel YouTube will quickly become a friend of mine in this journey. I am relieved to know that at least we aren’t going to be marked based on the quality of our final product. That helps to relief the stress.
Now that I have shared my anxieties around this learning project, lets back things up and introduce the learning project I have chosen, knitting!
Why Knitting?
Growing up I learned how to crochet and really enjoyed the relaxation it had provided me! BUT my crochet skills only went as far as making dish clothes and square doilies. After creating way more of these items than my mom will ever need in her lifetime, I decided to call it quits.
Now fast forward to present day, adult Amber has been curious about knitting and wondering if it will help to provide the same relaxation effect as crocheting. Alternative outcome, it might end up just not being my thing and stress me out more than bring enjoyment but I won’t know until I try. So lets see what happens! My hope is that knitting will become a hobby I can do to help relax while watching tv, as I have a hard time sitting still and just focusing solely on shows/movies. It is something I have wanted to learn for a while now but haven’t found the time to between work and classes. This gives me a great reason to make the time, which I am grateful for!
My Experience Level
No relevant experience. Unless you classify watching my friend knit while I chat with her, as qualified experience.
Supplies
Luckily my boyfriend recently found a pair of 8mm knitting needles and a brand new bundle of yarn while sorting through stuff in his house and gave it to me right before I started this class. Coincidental or meant to be? I will start with this supplies and then buy more once I have a better idea of what I am doing/needing.
Plans for Learning
This is my plan in the beginning stages:
- Find out what size of needles and type of needles that I prefer
- Experiment with different knitting stitches
- Learn about different types of yarns and their benefits
- Learn the difference between continental knitting and regular knitting techniques
- Have fun!
I don’t want to set up unrealistic expectations for a knitting project, since I am starting from the basics and unsure how long it will take for me to knit an item. My short term goal will be to start off with simpler projects. Since my go to for crocheting was dishcloths and doilies, I found a video to help give me ideas for other beginner projects, including a scarf, a mug cozy & a bookmark (Sidenote: I love reading). If all goes well in my knitting journey, my long term goal beyond the time constraints of this semester, will be to knit a baby blanket.
I hope you enjoy following along with Amber’s Knitting Chronicles!
Photo by on Pexels