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Finding Time to Knit or Crochet

December 27, 2023 by Sarah White

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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Knit a Great Button Down Shirt

Just about anything you can make in fabric you can make in knitting, but there are some styles that you just don’t see that often translated into knitting. 

For example, a button down collared shirt. This is a classic design, of course, and it looks great in a knit version, but it’s just not something you see much of. 

Noma Ndlovu’s Guglethu shirt is the pattern to try if you want to knit your own button down shirt. This one is inspired by cashmere tops (though the sample was made out of yak yarn, not cashmere, and uses two strands of lace weight yarn held together) and includes lots of high-fashion details like double-knit cuffs, collar and shoulder seams. 

It has a patch pocket on the front and 10 buttons including the button band and the cuffs. 

The designer says you can also use a DK weight yarn held singly if you’d rather, and that the shirt looks good in a variety of yarns. There is another version on Ravelry that uses Berroco Remix Light, which is a mix of nylon, cotton, acrylic, silk and cellulose fibers. It has a more relaxed look but it still really pretty. 

The pattern has 12 sizes, with a full bust measurement ranging from 32.35 to 72.25 inches, or 82 to 183.5 cm. The designer suggests 2 to 6 inches, or 5 to 15 cm, of positive ease when you pick your size. I could totally see knitting one that’s even bigger to wear more like a jacket, because I do that a lot with button down shirts I already own.

I love all the details on this shirt, which isn’t necessarily difficult to knit, but might introduce you to some things you’ve never knit before (like those cuffs with the plackets, or a shirt collar like this). 

To learn more about this shirt and grab a copy of the pattern for yourself, head to Ravelry. 

[Photo: Noma Ndlovu]

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