2008: The Year of Knitting Fearlessly

re: 2008: The Year of Knitting Fearlessly

ChristineN — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:29:50 GMT

I have been knitting and crocheting for years, but this past year I fearlessly decided to knit an afghan for my daughter in 5 colors and in a zigzag pattern. It is the first time I tried that pattern and I found out it wasn't so difficult after all. My daughter was thrilled with her afghan and so was I. Now I'm ready to tackle something else new. Maybe socks????? Yikes! We'll see how that goes.

re: 2008: The Year of Knitting Fearlessly

MichelleG@3 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:04:31 GMT

Let me begin by saying I am a die-hard crocheter and knitting was never my "thing." I could knit and purl but that is about it. Well...for 2008 I did cables and learned how to read knit patterns. I learned to knit on circular needles as well as double pointed needles. I can now knit ALOT more than scarves!!!!! I've made cabled hats...pocketbooks......and for 2009 I'm trying socks. I am truly.....FEARLESS!!!!!

re: 2008: The Year of Knitting Fearlessly

RuthAnnStone — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:24:42 GMT

I was asked by a non-knitter friend if I could make a Christmas Stocking for a new grandchild. The tradition goes way back in her family that every memeber have a handmade stocking to hang by the fireplace. Although I had never made one of these before I accepted the challange. I did a lot of researching before I began as I did not have a pattern. I became obsessed with the this project. After finishing each section of the sock I could not wait to go on with my next idea. I found myself incorporating many skills into this project. For instance: kniitting flat to incorporate intarsia, made a short row heel, joined and knit in the round on two circs for stranding, used duplicate stitches for some motifs, used lots of colors and the list goes on. Anyway, I am now making another stocking for 2009 and it is coming out nicely as well. I have pictures of the first one and will take pictures on the second one when finished soon. When I first learned to knit many years ago I would never had diviated from a pattern. I thought this was a "fearless" project as I just made up what I wanted as I went along. RuthAnn re: 2008: The Year of Knitting Fearlessly

re: 2008: The Year of Knitting Fearlessly

Salt Spring Sugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:11:15 GMT

This year I moved to the West Coast and began the first steps of a career in the fibre industry, from working in an office tower. I also taught for the first time - a group of 10 friends who were at various stages of being beginner knitters. I'm now setting up two classes to teach and have started designing - my first were two thrummed mitt patterns that will go on display at the LYS. I would like to challenge myself to work without patterns, understand shaping and learn how to design wearable and flattering garments.

re: 2008: The Year of Knitting Fearlessly

jan@4 — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:31:38 GMT

i am janknitter on ravelry. i will put all my stuff on the blog. i made a wavy scarf and did that for the first time tryed that from the picture and the result you will see.

re: 2008: The Year of Knitting Fearlessly

KarenA — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:21:25 GMT

In 2008 I made my first shoert sleeve top. I also went to Stitches East - there I learned about Continental Knitting and the Norwegian Purl. My goals for 2009 - make an item that I can include the Norwegian Purl - example a pair of fingerless gloves or a pair of socks.

re: 2008: The Year of Knitting Fearlessly

raytoe — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:18:51 GMT

I started off 2008 making scarves and hats, everyone wanted em. I made a few bunny rabbits and socks. So I challenged myself and made a sweater for my father and it fit him PERFECTLY, i had never made an adult sweater before! Of course i made a hat to match :).

re: 2008: The Year of Knitting Fearlessly

RebeccaA — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:29:39 GMT

My challenge was to try entrelac, specifically socks. I have not finished them, but they are on my needles. I ripped them off once, but I will finish them when my next priority is done.

re: 2008: The Year of Knitting Fearlessly

JenniferB — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:20:32 GMT

In 2008 I had wanted to knit a pair of socks, but when it came to doing the gusset, I was afraid it would be too difficult for me. But I finally did it, I picked up my double points and off and Went and I practice and practice the gusset on the sock until I finally got the hang of it, so now I am working on my first real pair of socks! I also practiced making the toe of the "Toe Up Sock" and am in the process of making my first pair of Totem Toe up socks, as well. Something I thought I'd never bee able to do. Now for 2009, I would like to learn to do the Fair Isle Knitting. There are so many beautiful patterns. Maybe in 2009 I can make my first Fair Isle socks.

re: 2008: The Year of Knitting Fearlessly

Rita@2 — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:19:18 GMT

I have been trying to knit a pair of socks all year, I have a pair on 2 circular needles that are stock with only about a quarter of an inch of ribbing, some how they became so tight, that I will have to cut them from the needles to get them out. Using five DP needles has ladders in four areas. I did knit a cable square of a sampler afghan that came out well, and now working on a fair isle square that looks ok accept it seems a little tight. In 2009 I will make a pair of nice socks.

re: 2008: The Year of Knitting Fearlessly

goldthreads243 — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:04:19 GMT

I knit and blocked an over all lace pattern shawl. I have toyed with knitting lace but this time I used stitch markers to guide me. I learned to read my knitting and identify mistakes in the lace. I had the courage to drop down a row to repair mistakes without having to rip back the whole row of 300 stitches! It's amazing how the idea of ripping back 300 stitches will force you to learn a new skill. For 2009, I want to learn to knit from the top down without a written pattern. Yes, I want to learn to design my own.

re: 2008: The Year of Knitting Fearlessly

RitaP — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:46:35 GMT

In 2008 I started knitting curtains for my kitchen; an open lacey weave from Interweave Knits. It is going well - I am even planning to do some for my sliding glass door! that kitchen needs something! thanks for the incentive to get started.

re: 2008: The Year of Knitting Fearlessly

AngelaI — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 02:16:12 GMT

2007 was a big knitting year for me -- I learned how to do fair isle, knitted continental, made my first items to sell, and gained the courage to actually rip out and redo what I didn't like the first time. For 2008 I want to work on my finishing techniques and actually remember to make something for myself occasionally! I'm inspired by all the other experiknitters out there!

re: 2008: The Year of Knitting Fearlessly

MegB@2 — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:22:46 GMT

I've been thinking about this question, how to be a fearles knitter since the original post.

For me, it's doing what I fear.

I've been knitting since I was five which seems like forever, (50 years) and had been afraid of lace, though I've always thought it was so beautiful. Last year, I started knitting lace shawls and I LOVE knitting lace! This year I've been knitting lace socks and having SO much fun. What's next? A lace shell, or skirt? Whatever I'm knitting, it's my 'take a breath at the end of the day' time. So who knows. Whatever it is, I'll be knitting fearlessly and loving every minute.

Thank you for sharing your love of fiber and delightful sense of humor.

Meg Boendier
Lilburn, GA
BoendierDesigns.com

re: 2008: The Year of Knitting Fearlessly

DeirdreM — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:30:39 GMT

All I need to be a fearless knitter is the time and yarn - and sometimes a pattern. Since I am a combination process/result knitter I am always ready to try something new - after all Froggy is our friend. I have reknit some experiments 5 times before I got it right. I enjoy the accomplishment of learning something new - and showing off what an amazing knitter I am to everyone who sees my results! Deirdre