New Year, New Knitting
The beginning of a new year often brings about contemplation of what the next 12 months will look like. This applies to our knitting also.
Hats are wonderful for trying out new techniques such as bobbles or colorwork.
Is there something you’d like to master? Perhaps cables, stranded colorwork, or a provisional cast on? There may be a large project you’d like to make with that new skill. We encourage you to do a ‘practice project’ first; something small that will allow you to become comfortable with your chosen technique before you attempt a large project. Hats and cowls are great for this!
Here cables and slipped stitches are used in small projects.
Would you like to organize your project notes so you can find them later? Some sort of knitting journal or your Ravelry project page would come in handy for this purpose. There are journals specifically for this but a composition book or any type of notebook works just as well. “This would be a great place to record where to find information on the new technique you learned” says the Voice of Experience!
Search your publications for patterns you planned to make!
Have you gathered publications with patterns that you dearly want to make but haven’t found time for yet? This is your chance to put them in your queue! You might also decide that you don’t want to make them after all and you can let them go.
This Pressed Flowers Shawl is an example of mosaic knitting created with slipped stitches.
What about your tools? Some of us have collections of pretty stitch markers that caught our eye but we never use. Perhaps we should figure out if we will ever actually use them. Are there needles sizes that you’d like to purchase to fill out your supply? You could make a plan to buy them over the next several months. Do you need some new darning needles or HandiTools? Replacing lost notions gets your year off to a good start, just like new school supplies!
Herbarium is another example of mosaic knitting.
Lastly, what about your stash? Do you have one? Do you know what’s there? Some knitters love to collect pretty yarn and keep it because that brings them pleasure. Others want to use yarn from their stash but forget what they have. A knitting journal or Ravelry are good places to keep track of what yarn is patiently waiting in the wings to be used.
Whether you are a planner or someone who is spontaneous with their projects, we wish you a 2021 full of fiber fun!
Happy knitting,
Jenny