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Last year was a full year for us shopgirls and I asked a few of the yarn-love ladies to share what they learned and how they grew in our mutual obsession.
Katie-- My Ah-ha moment in 2011 was Fair Isle. I had done it before but I always ended up with a tangled mess of yarn and a project that was puckered at every Fair Isle row. After taking Kate & Courtney of Kelbourne Woolens class, I was simply amazed at how simple it was. Keep one color on your left and the other on your right, always keep the main color on top and the other on the bottom as you knit, and stay looser than you think you should with your carry along. Wow – how much more simple could it be and it works every time. No more tangles, no more puckered rows and a beautiful FO every time. I don’t know why I couldn’t figure that out for myself, but those few simple instructions have made all the difference for me.
Pam-- In 2011, I fell in love again with Noro Silk Garden. Silk Garden was my 'first' real love as a new knitter when I knit a blanket with it. I couldn't believe that a yarn could be this beautiful, and the magical stripey colors kept me knitting and knitting and eventually I finished the blanket. (This blanket, today, is in my TV room and looks fabulous on my ottoman!) [See attached photo] Recently I knit two projects out of Silk Garden: Bobble Wrap (from the Knit Noro book) and the Churchmouse Shoulder Cozy.
Di-- I took the Beaded Beret Class taught by Shea. I had thought the technique would be difficult, but it wasn't! You use a crochet hook to loop the bead into your knitted stitch. So easy, so lovely, and VERY impressive to non-knitters!
Shea-- I think that 2011 was the year I truly fell in love with cables. My first cabled project was the Burberry Inspired Cowl, and I remember feeling like cables were so scary and I was afraid that my project wouldn't come out looking like it should. So I sat down, read over the instructions and just went to it. I was amazed that everything came out just fine! For me, it was as simple as being "fearless" in my knitting, and trusting that the instructions would make everything work like they should. Now, with a couple years of hindsight, I'm so thankful that I just let go and went with it, because I keep finding great new projects that I'm either working on now, like my Lissajous socks and the Great American Aran Afghan, or that I'm dying to cast on for, Royale sweater I'm talking about you!
Judy-- As a fairly new knitter I have had many ah-ha moments this past year. I've learned so many cast-ons, bind-offs, and variations of stitches. But if I were to list my biggest ah-ha moment it would be that following a pattern step by step has allowed me to make fairly complicated projects. I used to look at other people's work and think I could never make them. Now I know that if I work at my knitting one step at a time, I can be successful! That for me is a really great feeling!
Shelley-- In 2011 I learned that Steeking is FUN. You heard me FUN! I was terrified going into it. I opted for the crocheted reinforcement due to a broken sewing machine. But I'm glad I did because as I was doing the reinforcement I was able to see how I was securing the stitches. By the time it was time to CUT I had abandoned my fears. And it was LIBERATING pulling out those scissors and cutting open my steeks! [If you're looking for a great first project to steek, considerThe Bad Oyster. We have the pattern and an example at yarn-love!]
Kristin-- I've always liked straight forward patterns, but this year I learned to take those patterns and make them my own. I shortened the sleeves on the Tiny Tea Leavespattern so Tabitha could wear it through more seasons. I took a basic top down placket sweater and added a fun edging at the sleeves and bottom. [Sorry never updated Ravelry with that one!] None of these changes were complicated or drastically altering, I didn't even need to borrow my husband's math knowledge to pull them off! Rather, they made my projects reflect more of me. I love knowing that even with my limited knitting time, I can still create very personal gifts.
Many thanks to the shopgirls for sharing their reflections. And if any of these ah-ha moments have sparked a thought, or question, or gave you a class idea, let us know! Leave us a comment. We love hearing from you!
~Kristin |