I’m into my third month here at Jordana Paige, and I’ve gotta say I’m loving the perks of working here. I bike to work along an ocean road. I got my pick of a knitting bag. And Jordana taught me how to knit. Yes, that’s right. I’m learning from one of the masters.
I don’t know why, but I thought knitting would be easy to learn. And it’s not that it was insanely difficult. It’s just that my brain was not used to giving these odd commands to my hands.
Jordana taught me how to cast on and then taught me to knit. Bless her heart, she even knit a few rows for me because it’s so tough to knit the first few when you’re new, which I found out later, when Jordana wasn’t around. Dang it!
She let me go to town until I felt comfortable and then she taught me how to purl. This did not compute. Ummm … aren’t I just undoing everything I just did while I was knitting?
But no, my knitting did not fall apart in my hands but rather, turned into something resembling *gasp* knitting!
I felt something suddenly shift within me. I wanted to knit. A lot. Now.
I called the LYS right down the street from us, but it was closing in a few minutes. I decided that I would wait until Saturday and make a day out of going to the yarn shop, picking out yarn and needles, and knitting the day away. The waiting was torture.
When I finally got my yarn and needles I was a happy camper. The owner of the LYS I went to was so rad. She steered me in the right direction with some yummy yarn and needles made out of caseine.
I had to soak the needles in water for 30 seconds and then she told me not to put them in the freezer. I’m thinking Is that something knitters do? I guess maybe when it’s really hot.
After that, I made a scarf in short order. And I got to tote my Bella around whilst knitting. My first knitting in public experience was at the dentist. The hygenist loved my purse and was going to get one herself. Score!
I finished my scarf and since it’s a little hot here still, I’m not putting it on. But it did make an excellent tea pot insulator the other day!
Being that I’ve always been a bit of an overacheiver, I decided next to knit a hat, which required me to cast on 84 stitches (on straight needles) and then knit and purl in the same row. I was not prepared for this.
After ripping out my work four times, I decide to make another scarf with a pattern where I knit and purl in the same row. It was a bit of an ego killer, but as my husband said, “Better than a hobby killer.” And it’s true. So far, I love to knit and I don’t want to hate it.
So, I’m onto my second scarf and when I’m done, I’ve decided the next thing I want to do is learn knit on circular needles. Then I will make a hat, probably the same color as the scarf, mostly because I really wanted a green hat.
My favorite part of learning to knit so far (besides knitting) has been the advice. Yarn: Use something that won’t show your mistakes. Tension: Have a glass of wine. What tips do you have for me in learning on circular needles? Or just on learning to knit in general? I’m all ears.
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Tags: bella, knitting, knitting bag, knitting in public, learning to knit
Don’t be ashamed to use knit markers. I use them when I cast on (every 20 stitches), I use them to mark changes in the pattern, to keep count….they are so useful. I also have different kinds/colors so I can even mark by that too. Goodluck and welcome to the club!
My best advice is to make sure your stitches do not twist in the first few rows its an easy miskate to make when first learning to kint in the round good luck.
Congratulations on your fabulous knits! I do love the green scarf so very much! I’m a new knitter, too, and the addiction has bit me hard – but I love it! My friend Kristen and I are hosting a knitalong using Jordana’s Cadence pattern (http://rhinestonesandtelephones.blogspot.com/2011/08/newbie-knitter-knitalong.html). So far I’ve learned:
- Keep ripping it out until you get it right. Having it look and feel right is a great thing.
- Use stitch markers. They are lifesavers.
- Joining to knit in the round can be tricky and looks wonky for the first few rows.
- Trust the pattern! (especially Jordana’s)
- Go slowly.
- Use needles that are comfortable for you. I love aluminum needles the best.
- Enjoy it!
I have major envy of your pretty knitting bag. Oh, how I covet one of them!
This is how I feel about knitting: it’s about the process, not the product. It’s about meditation. It’s about creativity. It’s about discovery. And now, more than anything, it’s about the community of women. All of it so powerful. Enjoy!
Gorgeous green! I’m so glad you’re enjoying knitting! My advice is actually advice I read from Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. She suggests you stop and admire your knitting often during a project. Not only does it feel nice to admire your work, but you’ll also be able to see mistakes and correct them sooner rather than later!
Ah! So that’s what knit markers are for!! Thanks, that is a great tip
I thought I was the only one having trouble counting to 84 
Thanks Theresa! I’ll be sure to be conscious of that.
Thanks Sarah! I’ve definitely got the ripping it out thing under control
Great advice girl! And fingers crossed that one day I will make the Cadence and that you will get a pretty knitting bag!
Oh that’s wonderful advice Terri! I’m really into all those things you’ve mentioned, especially having a great community of women around me
Many thanks!
Thanks Bonnie! It’s true that you can just put your head down and knit without admiring it. I’m guilty of that because I’m so concerned with getting it right. Stop and smell the knitting roses, I guess
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