Recently in Arts & Crafts/Knitting Category

What I really wanted to make when I first decided I wanted to learn how to knit, was a hat.  But, being the semi-intelligent girl that I am, I knew it would not be smart to try and knit a hat as my first project.  So I started with scarves.  I knit two of those, decided I had the basic stitches down, and graduated to hats.  It was intimidating, but I jumped in anyway.  Since then I've knit 4 hats.  Each hat only took a few days to do, and were really fun to make.  

First I wanted to knit a hat to match the green scarf I made.  I was going to start with the simplest of hats, the roll-brim, but decided I wanted to do an inch or two of ribbed border instead.  The size wasn't quite right, but it was wearable.  Not terrible for my first attempt. 

The second hat I knit was a roll-brim.  It was in the same green color, with the same yarn.  I didn't get any pictures of it though.  I actually made it for a friend.  More accurately, it was for my friend's 1 year old.  I just wanted to knit something quick to get a gauge on the sizing before knitting the "real" hat.  It was definitely a little too big, but hopefully she'll be able to wear it early this coming fall/winter. 

So then I knit the "real" hat.  My friend and I were looking at various patterns, trying to decide on one, and she settled on an adorable strawberry hat.  It seemed easy enough for me to attempt so that's what we went with.  And, oh my gosh, I think it came out pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself.  I was pretty proud.  My friend sent me photos of her daughter in the hat and it was absolutely precious.  A huge sense of accomplishment right there.  I could hardly believe that I actually crafted that myself with my own two hands.  I have a much more analytical and mathematical mind than a creative one, so these things shock me sometimes.

Then I decided to try another one for myself.  All ribbing, and alternating between two colors.  Not nearly as cute as the strawberry one, but I didn't think it was as appropriate for me to be going around in a hat that looks like a strawberry, my being 31 years old and all.

I learned a whole lot in making these 4 hats: 

• how to knit in the round using circular needles
• what "join in the round" means
• how to decrease (knit two together, k2tog)
• how to switch between different colors
• what stockinette stitching is (knit one row, purl one row, repeat alternating rows)
• what fair isle knitting is (switching between two colors in one row)
• that knitting a hat is much less intimidating than you'd think
• I love knitting with bamboo needles

I had so much fun knitting my first scarf I decided to knit a second.  I wanted to continue to learn and to try a lighter weight yarn.  It's still a very simple pattern that's very easy for even the very beginner knitter.  Overall it was a nice little project/learning experience and I am happy with the result.

Needles: Size US 8 aluminum

Yarn:

• 1 skein - 256 yards
• Worsted Weight - Medium (4)
• Red Heart Soft Yarn in the color "Dark Leaf"

Pattern:

cast on a number of stitches that is a multiple of 6

all odd rows: *k3 p3; repeat from * 

all even rows: *k1 p1; repeat from *

(k=knit; p=purl)

Dates: Started 2/10; Completed 2/21

Things I learned:

• How to knit a purl stitch
• How to switch between knit and purl stitches within one row
• How to undo a stitch (knit and purl)
• It was more fun knitting with the really bulky yarn in the first project

Next up: a matching hat!

Last Sunday evening I decided that was going to be the day to embark on a new hobby -- knitting.  I did some research online and then headed out to Michael's arts and crafts store.  I was hoping to find a good book to use as a guide and reference but didn't find anything I liked.  I picked up 2 "things" of thick yarn (I later learned they are called skeins) and a pair of needles that matched the size recommended on the skein of yarn. 

I decided I wanted to start with a scarf so I went searching for tips and patterns.  I found a couple of tutorials about how to get started and the basic knitting stitch. 

Casting On:

Long-Tail Cast-On

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-cast-on-2

Knitting Stitch:

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-knit-the-knit-stitch

By bed-time Sunday night I had done a dozen or so rows.  Then by Tuesday night I ran out of the first skein and needed to learn how to add another one to continue on.  Even though this is actually quite simple (simpler than learning the casting and knitting stitch) I spent about 40 minutes Wednesday night trying to learn how to added the second ball of yarn and never got it right.  I was a little overtired and got really frustrated.

Adding new yarn of the same color:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy__eVIDshE

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-add-a-new-ball-of-yarn-when-knitting-270032/

Then late Saturday afternoon I decided to try again.  This time with a little help from my boyfriend (ha).  We found another tutorial for adding a new ball of yarn using the knit-in join method and within 10 or so minutes I was back in business knitting away again.  Now, one week later, my first scarf is almost complete.

I had wanted to learn how to knit for quite a while, but was always a little bit intimidated by it.  I am so glad I finally decided to go ahead and do it.  It's actually quite easy.  I am pretty happy that I now have a new hobby, I can now make some nice things by hand, and that I learned pretty much all on my own.  I also think it will be a really great, somewhat mindless, activity to do before before.  Should be a nice cure for those nights I have trouble falling asleep.

If you've ever thought about learning how to knit but haven't done it yet, I highly recommend it.

I really wish I knew how to knit.  Mostly so that I could make myself one of these:

photo credit: http://whatkarenknits.blogspot.com

I have a very small head, and almost every hat I try on in the store is far to large.  Being able to make my own would solve this problem.  There is also just something I really like about being able to make your own things.

Maybe one of these days I will finally learn.  Or maybe I will email my sister and see if she wants to make one for me  :)

Pattern: Amanda Hat by Gina House