
I have attempted knitting no less than four times now. I first learned way back in 2007, when I took a beginning knitting class at my LYS. I knit a garter stitch scarf and was extremely proud of myself. I then launched into what is perhaps the downfall of most new knitters – attempting to knit with Homespun yarn. Of course, trying to knit with curly yarn and not really having an understanding of how to read my knitting left me beyond frustrated.
Fast forward to 2010, when my friend Kim retaught me to knit. Even bought me some beautiful yarn, a book, and some notions. I knit and knit and knit. I ripped out and practiced casting on. Somehow, I ended up laying it down when again frustration set in. I kept doing something at the end of my rows where I was twisting my stitches or something weird.
Then, in 2014 after binge-watching knitting podcasts (specifically Suburban Stitcher), I again became obsessed about knitting. When Sylvia and I were together in Arizona for the Attic’s Summer Soiree, she retaught me. So I picked up that pretty turquoise yarn from Kim and started another scarf. There was much knitting while watching podcasts, much knitting while listening to non-knitting podcasts…

…and in January I finished it. I sort of followed the pattern for the You Go, Girl! scarf in the Chicks with Sticks book, minus the fringe. I decided to make it into a cowl, so I sewed the ends together before I wove in my ends.

I knew that DFW Fiber Fest was happening in May and I really wanted to go and get to meet Dianne from Suburban Stitcher. She has been such an inspiration to me with knitting, that I decided to set myself the goal of really becoming a knitter by the time Fiber Fest rolled around. So, I figured the best thing I could do was to keep knitting. I remembered I’d bought some cotton yarn “back in the day” to make washcloths/dishcloths with, so I dug some of that out. There were a few washcloth patterns in my Chicks with Sticks book, so I decided to tackle the first one, which was basically to learn how to purl. I enjoyed this one and really loved the colors in this colorway – Earth Ombre.

And here it is finished. Nothing spectacular, but I was pretty proud of myself.

Next up, I decided to do another washcloth from the book, this time in the color Terra Firma. This was a basketweave pattern, which really challenged me to actually follow a pattern. And I messed it up more than once and had to figure out how to rip back. I also learned that you have to slip a stitch on the edge to make a “finished” edge, which was a whole new concept to me, since everything I’d done before was just garter stitch on the edges.

And here is this one finished.

As you know from my podcast, I met my goal and felt like I’d really grasped knitting finally and went to DFW Fiber Fest as a knitter! I am really finding that I enjoy knitting as an on-the-go project. It is much easier to pick up and put down than stitching. And it is a great way to keep my hands busy! I can’t wait to share with you my experience with going to Fiber Fest for the first time and what I came home with.
And hey, please find me on Ravelry if you’re on there too. I’m cozyegg (of course!).
I am grateful for my knitting and all of the inspirational knitting podcasts!
Your knitting looks wonderful. I have found my way back to yarn and needle recently. Just purchased a bunch of yarn and have been on Ravelry in search of pattern…great website. 🙂