One Very Good Reason to Take a Class

Here I am, closing in on the end of October. I'm approaching my three year mark when I started to learn to knit. During my first year, I taught myself the knit and purl stitch and knitted many scarves. Then I attempted my first hand knitted garment, a long sleeve two tone sweater. I knew I could do this on my own as I've had garment sewing experience and knew what the garment pieces should look like. My sweater looked pretty good as long as you didn't look too closely. I made a lot of "knitting newbie" mistakes. From there and in the last two years, I've moved onto more elaborate garments and accessories I would not have imagined knitting on my own.

What did I use to teach myself knitting? Books, magazines, and the Internet were my resources for tackling new knitting skills and inspiration. I've come to realize I'm a self starter. I'm always in the mood to challenge myself. To learn something.

I've been cranking out knitting lots of garments and I think I've come to a crossroads in my knitting life. I've realized that my knitting skills may need some polishing. Maybe it's time I learn from a knitting master or two. A real person who could go back to the basics and provide some tips and suggestions. Maybe a real class.

Here's an example of what made me stop and reassess my knitting skills. I've been working on "My Favorite Cardigan" and knitting right along. Instead of knitting the sleeves, I decided to start working on the front button and buttonhole bands. I was appalled to see what I had done:



I'm not a perfectionist. (That word is not allowed in my knitting vocabulary). When I see something like this at an RTW (ready to wear) store, it gives me the willies. I immediately took a picture of my bad knitting to document "my what not to do next time" and then proceeded to frog my button band.

I've come to realize it's time to take a class. While books, magazines, and the Internet can help a knitter like me, there are times when I just need to fine tune my techniques by learning from a master. Someone with many years of knitting experience who could help me take my knitting to the next level.

My Favorite Cardigan has been sitting in my knitting bag for the last two weeks, waiting to be brought back to life. I will be back to post the results of what I learned in class. Stay tuned!

I've Signed Up for Some Knitting Classes

For the last two-plus years, I've had a fun adventure in learning and teaching myself to knit. It's time for me to turn over a new leaf.

One of my favorite LYS is offering some exciting knitting classes. There were several classes that caught my eye and I managed to narrow my list down to three important ones: Button and Buttonhole Bands, Seaming, and Continental Knitting. The first two skills, I've had the chance to practice on my own. Now, I'm going to refine those skills by learning new techniques. The Button and Buttonhole Bands class will come in handy as I'm in the midst of working on My Favorite Cardigan which has button down front. I've already knitted the button band and I've put the buttonhole band on hold to see if I learn something new from class. I'm sure I will.

I've had a lot of practice with seaming, but I feel my seaming techniques are just average. Looking forward to techniques that I'm missing.

The third class, Continental Knitting, is something I've always wanted to learn. I'm an English knitter...I throw my yarn to knit a stitch. I've tried to teach myself the Continental way and it just doesn't feel natural. Go figure. I learned to be a proficient crocheter before becoming a knitter. Hopefully, something will "click" in this class or I'll have an "ah ha!" moment.

So, it's time for me to learn from a knitting master or two. My first knitting classes and I can't wait for them to start. I'm off to complete my homework projects/assignments before the classes begin. I'll be back over the next few weeks to post what I've learned.

Happy Knitting!