I was one of those people who’d scoff at the idea of learning to knit. I’d look on in admiration at those who could both sew AND knit their own clothes, but I’d vehemently protest that I couldn’t do it. Well, life can be full of excuses that we make until we get sick of hearing them. There was no reason I couldn’t learn to knit and so I decided to just give it an earnest try (again). One sweater, one tank top, and a couple of scarves and a hat later the basic truth is: we’re capable of what we think we aren’t. Once the excuses were swapped for a beginner mindset and a good bit of time, effort, and patience, I was rewarded with the joy of learning a new skill. Isn’t that how it always goes?
how it started…
Back in October of 2021 I decided to learn to knit. And I did learn! I asked for help at a local yarn shop where I was living at the time in South Carolina to pick out needles and yarn that would work together to make a simple scarf. I understood that in order to knit sweaters, which was my goal, I needed to first know the basics: how to do a knit stitch, a purl stitch, and how to cast on. So that’s what I focused on practicing and it worked! I ended up making a handful of things in my first foray into knitting in 2021, but here’s the thing: I hated everything I made.
I was relying heavily on Wool and the Gang beginner kits to avoid having to do any real research to learn yarns, needle sizes, gauge, etc. but I didn’t like the bulkiness of the yarns and what I made just looked plain silly (imho!). I felt discouraged and didn’t have a clear path forward… until we were in Amish country in April of 2024 and I walked into Lancaster Yarn shop.
I saw a sample of the popular Sophie Scarf by Petite Knit in the shop and started talking with the owner, blabbing my typical spiel that went something like “I love this scarf … I tried knitting and it didn’t work … it's confusing … I don’t think it’s for me… ” She wasn’t having any of it!!!! I walked out of that shop with needles, the same exact yarn as the sample, and a newly instilled confidence to try knitting again.
The materials sat and sat in my van, until we landed in Stowe, Vermont in the Fall of 2024. Something about the leaves changing and the chill in the air gave me that little extra push I needed to sit down and start learning again. And learn I did. There was a lot of trouble shooting, confusion, starting over, and asking for help from knitting friends both online and in real life. But I finished that first Sophie Scarf and have been slowly growing my skills with each new project ever since.
how its going…
I’ve successfully completed two big projects that I’m really proud of: my Step by Step Sweater by Florence Miller and my Twofer Tank by Heidi Kirrmaier. Both of these projects were made easy by the fact that I walked into Ewe Fibers and the lovely women that run the shop picked out everything for me. The samples were hanging in the store so I could see what the finished garment would look like, the yarn was selected on my behalf based on their knowledge, and same for the needles. I knit gauge swatches for both projects and met gauge right away both times (if you’re asking what the heck is gauge - as was I - watch this video). Relying on those with experience and knowledge is my preferred way to learn. Going to local shops and having support to get started was how I learned to both sew and knit, plus a ton of youtube videos. P.S. there are an infinite amount of youtube videos on knitting, everything is clearly and thoroughly explained online you just have to look!
But now I am in what feels like the next big hurdle with knitting: fighting with meeting gauge. So far, it’s not going super well. I am working on two projects right now: The Highland Slipover by Ozetta and swatching for The Cloud Sweater by Petite Knit, plus I recently completed the Boyfriend Watch Cap. However, I am NOT MEETING GAUGE. It’s been quite tricky and frustrating, realizing that gauge is more about personal knitting tension and that pattern suggestions for yarn and needle sizes are just suggestions. I always assumed if I use the yarn and needles called for, I will meet gauge and everything will be GREAT. Wrong. I am still figuring this part out as I go.
I am knitting my Highland Slipover with Santa Cruz Organic Merino by Juniper Moon Farms that I picked up from the Yarn Seller in York, Maine. I knit two gauge swatches on US7 and US6 and neither met gauge. It seems the trouble with this one is not only my personal tension, but also this seems to be a weird heavy-worsted yarn that doesn’t quite work for the pattern? I decided to compensate by knitting the smallest size, with the understanding that my swatch was bigger/looser than it needed to be, so I’d end up with an oversized garment, measuring more like a size medium/large. However, I’m working on knitting the body in stockinette in the round and the fabric is just so DENSE on size US6. I’m charging full steam ahead and treating this project as a learning moment, as I really have learned a lot through the troubleshooting, even if the end result isn’t what I wanted.
I actually bought this yarn thinking I’d make the cloud sweater, but after more research I realized that would not be a good idea. So with the extra yarn I bought I decided to work on a hat for my husband. I’m so glad I did because I learned how to use DPNs which were really intimidating (surprise, they’re not hard!), but again the gauge is off so the hat does not fit as intended and even though he loves it I think it looks a bit silly. It looks homemade, but not in a good way lol. I want to try again and am in a toss up between a) sizing down a needle size or b) adjusting the measurements of the hat to compensate (i.e. 3.5” of ribbing and 3” of the hat body before decreases instead of the written 4.5” and 4” respectively).
LASTLY (will be shocked if anyone is still reading!) - for the Cloud Sweater, I wanted to copy the yarns of one of the samples, so I ordered Isager Soft and Soft Silk Mohair and knit up a swatch on the recommended US7. I was SHOCKED when the swatch came out way too big/loose. With another project not meeting gauge, I researched extensively online, asked knitting friends (and ChatGPT, which I feel weird about but it can be so helpful ugh!), and found out two key things: 1) Petite Knit is known to be a tight knitter 2) I think I am a loose knitter 3) Meeting gauge is personal to each knitter and it’s not uncommon to have to adjust needle sizes. I am planning to swatch again on smaller needles and am hoping I can meet the required gauge, because if not I will be even more confused.
Stay tuned….