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?