My Latest Passion - Designing Knits

I have loved knitting for a long time. Some periods of time throughout my life, I've put down the needles to do other things, but they have always been there, waiting for me to have time again to pick them back up and knit again.

Not too long ago, I stumbled upon Ravelry, a website for yarn lovers of all kinds. Those who knit, crochet, weave, etc. gather on this website to share patterns, yarn, and unite other interests in beautiful projects as well as sharing their lives with other yarn-focused crafters. This group of crafters has renewed my passion for knitting and inspired me with a new one - designing my own knits.

I never thought of doing this before. I always figured some knitting gurus created patterns for me to follow. But I've realized lately that I can create my own. :) How exciting! I've started off with some small stuff and am learning different techniques as I go. Sometimes I look at other patterns to get some ideas of how I could start something or a way to do a stitch pattern. Sometimes I just make it up as I go. I've even been making up my own charts (by hand). I'm hoping that as I progress I'll be able to and brave enough to tackle larger projects.

I need to have a lot of patience for this. I've learned new cast on methods and practiced them multiple times till I think I've got it. And while the knitting goes on, I've decided to change things which means wripping it out and starting again or tinking back to the place where I need to make a change. A lot of times the projects have to get started again and again until I'm happy with it.

Lots of Ravelers design their own patterns and give them away or sell them on the website. Some day I hope to get to that point and be able to sell my own. It's getting it all written up with good pictures that slows down the process for me right now. I get the pattern written down by hand, knit up the item, take some pictures, and then get blocked by my own desire to craft more rather than typing it up.

Are you inspired to create your own designs? What would you make that you haven't been able to find? Do you think you could brave it and take an idea out of your head, scribble it on paper and create it on your needles? 

Summer Sweater KAL - July 16

Alright, I think I am starting to find some balance to my knitting. :) It feels much better. When I'm not working a little bit on all of them I find myself feeling overwhelmed by the projects that aren't getting any knitting time. So it's much better to be doing a little bit on all of them each week.

After getting a few more rows done the sleeve sts are off the needles and waiting till it will be there turn. Thinking I will be working on it again probably Wednesday and get further down the body section.

 

Summer Sweater KAL - July 10th

Another week and a little more knitting on my sweater.

Does this happen to you? You have some projects on the go, then you add a couple others, and next thing you know you've got more knitting than you can handle. This is what I feel like right now. I've got too many projects and not enough time to knit them all. So I've tried to pick a day or two a week to work on them. For my sweater, it's pretty much one day a week for now until I can get some other knitting items off my needles.

How are you doing on your knitting? Are you overwhelmed with too many on the go? Or are you a one project at a time knitter?

Summer Sweater KAL - July 1st

So I joined another KAL with luvinthemommyhood. It's a great group on Ravelry. I had such a fun time doing the Top KAL, I wanted to do another one with the group. And I'm having fun doing another Wendy Bernard pattern.

What I love about designs by Wendy is that they are top down creations. I find that it's easier to make it fit just right. You can try it on as you go along and adjust it as you go. Do you want it longer here and shorter there? Do you need a couple extra sts or do you need to get rid of a few more? It's all doable to get the perfect fit.

I'm working on the Indigo Playmate Cardigan in a lovely steel colour. The yarn is divine. Here's a couple pics of what I got done on my first night of knitting.