aka: Learning to knit something besides scarves.
As the newest member of the Knit Picks team, I have a lot to learn! I am fairly new to knitting… although I’ve known how to knit for years, until I came to work at Knit Picks I hadn’t made anything more complicated than a garter-stitch scarf. In less than a week of employment I was drooling over yarn and planning out what to create next. It was obvious I was going to need to learn to knit on a more sophisticated level. Fortunately I am surrounded by talented knitters who have been so very patiently helping me! Let me share a bit of my beginning knitter’s journey, aka: learning to knit something besides scarves.
Even though I really wanted to make something FANTASTIC, I knew that I should start simple. I wanted to work on my basic knitting skills while also creating something fun, and if my project turned out not-so-great (or let’s admit… ugly), I didn’t want to have spent countless hours – and dollars – on a knotted disaster of a project. Enter dishcloths! Until my co-worker Heidi suggested it, I had never dreamed of knitting my own dishcloths (I mean, who does that, right?), but it turns out they are the perfect project for learning and perfecting (or at least practicing) new stitches. So I went home with my 52 Weeks of Dishcloths book, some CotLin and Dishie yarn, and got to knitting.
Clockwise from top: “Phyllis & Marian” (p. 18), “Zick Zack” (p. 20),
“Nana’s Favorite Dishcloth” (free on Ravelry.com)
As you can see, my dishcloths aren’t *quite* as lovely as those shown in the book… but I’m pretty happy with how they turned out, and I’m thrilled with the skills I learned while making them. And who knew hand-knitted dishcloths would be so amazing? I really do love using my super-soft, handmade far-from-perfect dishcloths!
If you’d like to expand your knitting skills and learn some new techniques with dishcloths, here’s what you’ll need:
- 52 Weeks of Dishcloths Book or Ebook
- 3 skeins of Dishie, Comfy, or CotLin yarn
- Assorted knitting needles – I chose projects using sizes 5, 6, and 7 because I’m not quite ready for the smaller sizes! I’m personally in {love} with Sunstruck, and Majestic but any needles will do.
- A cup of coffee or tea. Or wine… whatever suits you.
I’m happy to announce I’ve confidently started a new non-scarf and non-dishcloth project! My next post will feature my attempt to knit a shawl featuring shaping and a simple lace element. Hint: There were a few tears, but not many…
If you’re tackling a new knitting technique, please tell us about it in the comments. I’d love to follow your journey as well.
Until next time,
– Jennifer
