My knitting journey began in 2005, with a desire to try a new craft that I could grow in knowledge and skill. Without knowing where to start, I purchased a knitting kit that came with sizes US6 and US8 knitting needles. The yarn that I used was a super bulky size, Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick. That yarn suggests using a size US13 knitting needle, which is a lot bigger than US8 and US6, but I did not realize the difference. I worked on making a scarf with the yarn I selected, on size US8 needles, and finished about a month later. The finished project had a very tight feel to it and was rigid. It did not bend and loop like a scarf should.

After several more projects, different yarns and a class or two at a local craft store, I was able to read the ball band and know what size needle to use for the particular yarn. I could read basic patterns and make something that looked and felt like it was meant to look and feel. Knitting has become one of my favorite things to do. I can knit fairly easy patterns while watching television in the evening; many smaller knitting projects travel well, for when we go to family that lives a half hour or more away; I am able to donate some of my knits and I hope to one day teach at least one of my three children this timeless craft.

Crochet interest

I had been knitting for about ten years and was fairly confident in my mostly self-taught skill. Going through images of various patterns, I often realized many of the projects that caught my eye were done in crochet. So, I read crochet “how-to’s”, watched some YouTube videos and felt comfortable testing out a new skill. Through hurdling a learning curve with knitting, I could read yarn bands and was familiar with what size hook to use for a certain yarn.

My first attempt was to crochet a simple square. I ended up making a triangle instead of a square. I was not making the extra loop at the end of each row to build up. After about three or four attempts, my square continued to resemble a misshaped triangle. So, I stuck that what I was more comfortable with and that was knitting. A few years after my failed crochet attempts a dear friend, Donna Spayd, was kind and patient enough to help me learn how to crochet. With her expertise, I was able to make a hat. I was also able to realize that, even though I finally got the gist of crochet (and made a project what it was meant to be), I still preferred knitting.

I think of crochet as building with yarn – one layer or level on top of the previous one. The possibilities of what to make are limited only by one’s creative imagination. To me, knitting is more than creating to see what I can make-it is making something with meaning. (Crochet might be that to some people, and I am not saying that is wrong. I am saying what knitting is and has become to me).

Grandmothers and knitting

My grandparents have always been dear to me. After about ten years of knitting I decided to ask my grandmothers if either of them wanted to learn how to knit. It could be something we could do together. My Grandma had learned to knit years ago and even made sweaters for her two daughters. The sweaters turned out a little wonky. The head hole was not big enough and the sleeves were not the same size. She was not interested in revisiting that craft, but would rather stick with sewing and gardening as two of her passions.

I asked my Nana the same question. She seemed like she would be great at creating something out of yarn and had some extra time to set aside to knit. Even though I was about 42 years her junior, she told me that she was not old enough to knit. That still makes me smile a little when I think of it. I wonder the reason for that way of thinking. Maybe she was too busy; maybe the only people she saw knitting were much older than her; maybe she didn’t really want to learn something new. Whatever the reason, knitting was not a way for her and I to connect.

Knitting projects

Here, I have posted some of the projects I completed. Just select the picture to learn more about each project and for links to the pattern. These patterns can mostly be found on Ravelry.com, which you can sign up for a free account. Also, if you are interested in knitting for charity, click “charity knitting.” There you will find links for information on making and donating knitted items. For example, knits of teddy bears for children affected by HIV/AIDS. Additionally, there are several knits for those serving in the military or those who have served.