Finding Time to Knit or Crochet

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

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time.

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring.

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn.

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row.

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves.

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body.

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy.

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn.

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]

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