Monday, August 9, 2010

The Fearless Knitter

Posted by Laura / 4 comments » / , hobbies, knitting, projects

The generally recommended way to start to learn a technique, at least in knitting, is to do a fairly simplified version of whatever the desired end is – hat, sweater, mitten, sock. This is not something which I have followed. When I learned to do cables, I did an all-over cables scarf (see: Matilda scarf). When I wanted to make a hat, I made a hat – the one I wanted to make, not a simple beanie-style hat that would be guaranteed to teach me the technique without overly taxing my brain with trying to combine that technique with a stitch pattern or odd shaping. The list of projects that I have done similar things with goes on.

When it came time for me to make my first pair of socks (at least the first pair that I actually envisioned finishing – I did do one half of a sock last year, but it wasn’t until later that I realized that I hated the stitch pattern on the yarn and was probably never going to finish the first sock, let alone do a second!), I followed suit. I like the idea of socks from the toe-up, particularly for Johnathan, since he wanted knee-length socks and I wasn’t positive I’d have enough yarn for that. Plus, knowing that I have second sock syndrome (a syndrome in which the knitter indefinitely puts off beginning or finishing the second sock because said knitter has tired of the pattern; my first mittens were made well over a month apart!), I wanted to try two-at-a-time. Two-at-a-time from the toe up on one circular needle. I found a tutorial for it, and off we went!

The tutorial is for worsted weight yarn and larger needles while I was knitting with fingering weight yarn and tiny needles. They aren’t the smallest size I own, but just about. I cast on for two colorwork socks, with striped toe and heel, reversed a pattern from being cuff-down to toe-up, and just jumped in with both feet and started. It was a pretty enlightening experience, mainly in how easy this was to accomplish for me.

I won’t say I haven’t had my fair share of setbacks, however. First I made the socks about half an inch too short – uncomfortably short for Johnathan’s feet. So I ripped out the heels and knitted longer, then did the heels again. Then when I got to the color work, we found that it was too tight. Well crap. So, I got really mad at the socks, threw them across the room, fumed for a bit, then came up with a plan to fix it. I put out all sorts of fires in the knitting of these socks!

Starting out with a technique that is perceived as difficult to many makes me feel kind of good. It makes me feel fearless. Even though I’m not starting these things this way to show off, it makes me want to boast to other sock knitters how well it’s going. (Until I run into a snafu, that is.) I feel wonderful knowing that by not letting myself think something is hard, I’m able to accomplish it. Even the warnings on the tutorial that said tutorial should be for experienced knitters didn’t deter me. I have two successful socks in progress that hopefully will fit Johnathan’s feet perfectly – better than any store-bought sock could.

Now that I’ve conquered sock knitting, lace is next on my list. I couldn’t, of course, pick an easy project for that, either. No, I have in my queue (and the materials in my stash) for a shawl that, as written, can measure anywhere from 44″ square to 50″ square depending on the knitter. Start easy? Well, clearly that’s for other knitters. Not this stupidly fearless knitter!

Share

4 comments