A friend taught me to knit when I was 16 or 17. I enjoyed it, but all I ever made was lumpy stockinette scarves. Still, I enjoyed knitting from time to time. In my first semester of college, a professor told the class that she would never want her daughters to be "the kind of women who knit." My creative hobby was transformed into an embarrassing, antifeminist activity. I put down my needles for the next seven years.
Then in 2015, I decided to knit a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles blanket (similar to this, but knit) for my nephew. It turned out nice, but the project didn't spark enough joy for me to knit regularly again.
A couple years later, I came across the How Cold Is It mittens and gave them a shot. My project was a mess, but I really wanted to perfect them. It took several more years before I finally finished them in 2022. Now confident that I could learn techniques beyond knitting and purling - and aware of the world of beautiful yarns beyond Michael's - I began knitting more and more.
I have lots to learn, but I'm excited about it!
The same friend from high school also drug me to a weaving class in 2023. We used SAORI looms, which were fantastic. I ended up buying an Ashford Knitter's Loom later that year. I'm not great at weaving, and I don't have a ton of patience for anything other than the most basic projects. But it is fun to play with color and texture. I have some ideas for new projects that I'm excited to try.
Mindy's Socks
Yarn: Fathoms Below by Cashmere and Coconuts (main), Wintergreen sock mini by KelliInTheMiddle (contrast)
Pattern: Library Socks by The Kitchen Sink Shop
Finished: May 2024
Notes: This was my second pair of Library Socks in a row. I liked the variation in the pattern. Somehow, K2P2 botthers me a lot less than K1P1.
Self-Striping Socks
Yarn: Regia Arne + Carlos Lofoten in Roest (4011)
Pattern: Vanilla Socks on 9" Circulars by Crazy Sock Lady
Finished: March 2024
Notes: This was my second-ever pair of socks. I tried to match the stripes. Not perfect, but I'm good with it. Really like the yarn - I had a mini shopping spree at the Mall of America and bought it at a yarn store there. Also bought some Malabrigo that I tried (and failed) to learn brioche knitting with. Maybe one day!
Wishmaker Mitts
Yarn: Knit Picks Palette in Majestic (MC), Hyacinth (CC1), and White (CC2)
Pattern: Wishmaker Mitts by Erica Heusser Designs
Finished: December 2023
Notes: I made these for Kayla, who loves dandelions. The pattern was fun yet challenging. Look closely, and you'll see a few mistakes in the pattern on the palms. I'm a lazy knitter, and I don't like going backwards. I don't mind it, though. If I made these again, I'd probably figure out a way to go up in size.
Birthday Cake Scarf
Yarn: Hobbii Candy Pop in Regular Rainbow (warp), Knitpicks Hawthorne DK in Confetti Speckle (weft)
Pattern: None
Finished: June 2024
Notes: This was the first weaving project I began with an actual plan in mind. It was inspired by a woven scarf I saw on a Facebook group where someone used a novelty ladder yarn for the warp. The Candy Pop isn't ladder yarn, but I liked its texture and primary colors. I'm happy with the way the yarns worked together, though overall the project is not what I envisioned. The scarf is quite stiff and not quite long enough. If I don't use it as a scarf, I'll use it as a table runner or something.
I have a lot of the Candy Pop left (it took less than I thought to warp my loom), so I might try this project again with the Confetti Speckle in fingering weight. Not sure if it would help. I will also figure out a way to make my warp longer (I'm limited by the length of my table). And I'll make the fringe look less ugly!