The Knitting Myth

You will have seen from my blog that I knit a bit, well ok a lot.

Like most keen knitters I know I tend to knit whenever I can - on trains, in waiting rooms, during non-critical presentations, at cafe's with friends and at home. I produce a great range of shawls, socks, cardigans and other garments.

To the average non-knitter there is not much to it - pick up some needles, yarn and a pattern and off you go right?

Wrong. This statement is so wrong.

If I am going to produce a garment I need to think about it. Yes, I know one of the joys of the actual knitting is not having to think to much while doing it. However, before I start I have thinking to do, a lot of thinking to do.

Starting any knitting project involves the following key steps

What do I want to knit?

Shawl, Socks, Cardigan, Jumper, Mitts, Hats, Baby stuff

For Who?

Me, T, O - other.

Style

Plain, Patterned, Lace , Colourwork

Yarn,

Weight, composition, colour

Do I have/have access to a pattern?

Probably, where is it?

Do I need/want to resize it?

Do I have enough yarn?

Yes/no/not sure....Often the answer is not sure.

Swatching

Can I get gauge (ie knitting with the same or different needles get the same dimensions for a small piece of knitting as the designer)

This often takes a bit of effort and time and rework.

Don't forget to wet block it and "Wear" it a bit to see if it will stretch, change shape or drape afterwards.

Often the Answer is no

What Modifications do I need to make?

Graph it, chart it, document it.

Finally I am all set now (unless I change my mind and go back to pattern or colour again)

Yarn and colour

Pattern

Gauge

Needles

Modifications

Finally I can knit.

So the next time you see a knitter - appreciate the pre-work that went into that effortless knitting they are doing in front of you!

Back to my challenge.

Usually I am really good at this bit having things on the go and ready to start.

This month - October - has been particularly hectic for me. Multi-day work strategy sessions spilling into weekends and additional events and responsibilities with family, friends and other knitters (guild anyone).

The tragedy is I am running out of Knitting Thinking time and I am away (for fun this time) this weekend but without a new project ready to go on the needles.

I really only have tonight to get something going - decisions, decisions. I suspect a shawl or socks - only because I can risk skipping the whole gauge and swatching steps.

How is your Craft thinking time going

Happy Crafting.