Exactly this day last year, I picked up a pair of wooden needles, a book, and started teaching myself to knit. My dad originally taught me when I was in elementary school, but I only knew knit stitches (I couldn’t cast-on, off, or purl). I quickly lost interest and was distracted by learning cross-stitching and other crafts. Fast forward years later, and look at me now! I’ve been knitting for a full year (only blogging about it for 7 months so far), an armful of FO’s, new skills, and I’ve already got an on-going gig to teach others to knit (a weekly group of high school kids, you can ask me about that later). I’m pleased with my progress thus far.
I’ve discovered that I’m a process-knitter (as opposed to a results-knitter), and I alot of my projects are gifts. The only ones that I actually keep are ones that I’m too ashamed to give away (filled with mistakes or they are just plain ugly and unpresentable), or they are way too pretty to give away (mine mine mine!!) =) I’m not comfortable being paid for my new craft-hobby (yes, I’ve been approached before) but I’m more than happy to put lots of love and care into a personally crafted gift for a friend or loved one.
I am obsessed with handbags, and I’ve discovered a new love for lace. I have not ventured to socks yet - reason being I am personally not a sock person (I hardly EVER wear socks) but this fall I’ll give it a hand and see what all the sock-fuss is all about. =)
I’m careful about starting up a stash - I know this is very strange for a knitter, but I actually don’t have much of a stash. The little that I do have, are leftovers from previous projects, and a few skeins of cheap acrylics and acrylic/wool blends (for purposes of teaching others). I only purchase yarn by the project, hopefully going from one project at a time. Let’s hope I keep that up, for budget reasons! =)
I’m sure my knitting-identity/preferences will change overtime, but for now, this is the 1 year-old knitter that I am! =)
Future knitting goals for the coming year:
- bead knitting
- this fall: try out sock knitting
- this winter: try out color knitting (intartia, fair isle)
- this spring: lace!!
Specific future projects (tentative):
- SnB’s Peppermint Twist Sweater
- Fiddlesticks Lacy Lattice Shawl
- Lion Brand Basic Socks
- Lion Brand Flower Bag
- finishing those WIPs that I’ve been neglecting? (we’ll see about that) =P
16 Comments so far
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Wow. You’ve come a long way baby! It’s amazing to me how two sticks and some yarn can change someone’s life. Knitting has certainly changed mine.
Amy
By amylovie on 10/21/05 4:54 am | Permalink
Happy Happy Knitting Birthday! Isn’t it amazing at how much something can become such a bit part of your life so quickly?
By Gracie on 10/21/05 5:45 am | Permalink
have a happy knitty birthday.
i can’t remember when i pick up knitting but its either this month or next.
By Lois on 10/21/05 6:31 am | Permalink
You’ve definately come a long way!! I loved hearing about your future goals. My stash is the same as yours, nearly nonexistant, just leftovers. I only buy for the project I’m doing next. We’re some kind of knitter anomaly that way, aren’t we?
By lynda on 10/21/05 8:41 am | Permalink
Happy knitting anniversary! The gifts that you knit for others are absolutely lovely. I think it’s great that you don’t stash — Wayne must appreciate that lots! As for sock knitting — I hate wearing socks (only wear them when I have to because it’s cold), but I find that I”m intrigued with watching the sock “appear” as I go.
By caitlyn on 10/21/05 8:42 am | Permalink
Happy Knitting Anniversary. Mine was a month or so earlier … so we started around the same time! Funny!
Do learn to knit socks … even if you don’t like wearing socks, how about your husband? My husband actually said handknitted socks are more comfortable … only I can’t knit fast enough for him … hahaha …
By Agnes on 10/21/05 9:26 am | Permalink
happy knitting anniversary!
i’d been knitting for only about a year, too!
i guess i’d be a process-knitter, too, by your definition. but i suppose it’s because we’re still getting the hang of knitting.
props to you on stash control. i’m sock yarn obsessed, and it’s too bad i can’t knit socks as fast as i acquire the yarn :(
good luck on meeting your knitting goals!
By keohinani on 10/21/05 11:34 am | Permalink
happy birthday!! can’t believe it’s been a year! you’ve progressed SOOO Far!!!! you’re awesome!
By Purse_Ho on 10/21/05 2:10 pm | Permalink
Happy Knitting Birthday!!! That’s really cool that your DAD taught you how to knit! How many people can say that??? You sound like my friend Cheryl, where it’s more about the process than the finished product. I tease her and tell her that for her, she enjoys the “foreplay” (the process) more than the “sex” (the finished product). I think she’s prefer your terminology (process knitter) more than mine ;-)
By Jeanie on 10/22/05 8:38 am | Permalink
Congrats on your knitting birthday!!
By Debbie on 10/22/05 5:33 pm | Permalink
Happy Knitting Birthday! And I look forward to reading all about your future projects in the year ahead.
Estee
By SweetPeaknits on 10/23/05 1:04 am | Permalink
Happy knitting birthday!
By The Skirt on 10/24/05 1:11 pm | Permalink
Congrats on your 1-year knitting anniversary. Hmmm, what would be the official anniversary gift for that…wooden needles? You’ve done a great job on a lot of wonderful projects this year!
By Lynette on 10/24/05 4:11 pm | Permalink
wooden needles?
By Priscilla on 10/24/05 10:22 pm | Permalink
Happy first knitting birthday! Isn’t knitting fun! And you get to meet the coolest people!
I want to try bead knitting too, someday.
By Kate on 10/30/05 3:05 pm | Permalink
How amazing that you’ve been knitting one year. You are one talented person! Ruth, I think those high school girls are very blessed to have you for a teacher. I haven’t been over for a good while and its nice to stop by and say Hi. Blessings to you!
By Maggie Ann on 11/06/05 7:38 pm | Permalink
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