Knitting

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Finding Time to Knit or Crochet

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One common goal that a lot of knitters and crafters of all sorts have for each new year is finding more time to knit or do their craft, whatever it is.

I like to think that we make time rather than finding time, and if we decide it’s important to us to have time for making every day, we will find a way to make that happen, at least more often than not. For me, taking the time to learn to knit without looking at my work has been valuable, because I can easily knit most things while reading or watching TV.

A Box of Twine has some advice, not only on finding more time for knitting, but for choosing the right projects to make the most of the time you have.

They use the acronym PSSST as the key to a happy knitting life: choosing the right projects, having the right supplies available and accessible, being comfortable with the stitches you are using (and practicing until you are if you aren’t), making samples (aka swatches) to ensure a good result, and taking the time to practice regularly.

One of their recommendations for finding more time is to use a knitting planner, which we have already talked about a bit. Their version uses the PSSST system to help you figure out what’s slowing you down and making you less productive than you could be as a stitcher, but also includes planner printables, project worksheets and checklists, plus project time estimates that can help you plan if you’re gift knitting or otherwise have a deadline.

Tip: if you sign up for their newsletter at the top link above you can get the project estimate printable for free.

I do like the idea that your hobby belongs in your planner because it’s an important part of your life, and also that if you write things down you are more likely to do them. For me, if I put knitting on my to-do list it’s for sure one thing that will get crossed off as done on any given day!

[Photo via A Box of Twine]

22 Page Knitting Project Journal and Planner

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Add a Little Lace to Your Knitting Patterns

If you’re new to lace knitting or just aren’t sure how to incorporate the technique into garments, check out these tops and sweaters that use lace as a decorative element.

The easiest lace out there is eyelets, and you can practice them plenty with this eyelet covered sweater from Knitcro Addict. It uses light/DK weight yarn and is worked in four pieces knit flat. It’s intended to be a little cropped and a little oversized, and includes sizes XS to XXL in the pattern.

If you’re in parts of the world where it’s getting colder as you read this, the Nora sweater from Bummbul might be a good choice. This is actually a great one for learning lace because it’s worked in super bulky yarn, which makes it easier to see what you’re doing and makes the lace super graphic. This one just comes in one size, with a 42 inch (106) cm bust, but that could fit a variety of people depending on how much ease you like.

Minimi Knit Design has a cute allover lace cardigan worked in one piece from the bottom up. It’s worked in lace weight mohair held double, which maybe isn’t the best for those new to lace (because it can be hard to rip out) but it sure is pretty. Sizes range to fit from 30 to 66 inches/76 to 168 cm bust measurements.

If you’d rather not have lace all over your sweater, you can knit the Lumi sweater from Originally Lovely, which has a chevron lace pattern on the yoke and is otherwise worked in reverse stockinette stitch. (It’s worked inside out so you don’t have to purl every stitch.) The pattern has 9 sizes from XS to 5XL and uses worsted weight yarn.

Or try the super romantic sookie blouse from Trust the mojo (available on Ravelry). This sweet top is started working flat from the bottom up and has a V-neck and I-cord edgings. The sleeves are worked separately in the round, and the pieces are all joined together to work in one piece to finish off the top. It comes in eight sizes and is available in English and French.

You can also pair lacy sleeves with an otherwise plain top, like on the Starflower Wrap from Annelise Driscoll Gingrow. This intermediate pattern makes a wrap sweater with generous lacy sleeves and a double wrap belt. The pattern has nine sizes, from XS to 5XL, and is available for free from Hobbi.