My First Knitting Project(s)

Greetings!
So I've been knitting for about a month now, and I have to say that I'm really lovin' it.  My husband is calling me a traitor because I haven't picked up a crochet hook since I started.  What can I say? It's so awesome to cast those stitches on and watch the fabric that develops.  And for some reason the idea of designing my own projects seems natural with the knitting, something that I never really felt about crochet.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.  Let me tell you about my first project.

I've been on a hand/wrist warmer kick this winter and it seemed like the right size project to begin with.  Jean W. (the library's knitting queen) gave me a pattern for fingerless gloves that she's made many times.  They are worked in the round, but she told me I could do them flat and adjusted the pattern for me.  They are a cable ribbing pattern which looks like a "mock" cable. It seemed a bit adventurous for a first project, but I figured what the heck!  Plus I was flattered that she had such confidence in me! 

I used the the easy thumb cast on and set to work on the first row. It was really hard. And sloppy. And I'm pretty sure it didn't follow the pattern.  After several tries I  sort of got the hang of it. It was tough going though and I don't think it was looking like it was supposed to.  I decided that a different pattern might be in order.  It must have been fate because the following day one of our knitting regulars (who just happened to be working on a cute little wrist warmer at the last meeting) came into the library.  She didn't have the pattern with her, but told me if I searched Emerald Green Handwarmers I'd find it.  Sure enough, she was right.

That night I set out to make a dusty rose version.  Something clicked.  The planets aligned and by the end of the evening I was more than half way through the first one.  Honestly it was a thing of beauty!  As I worked each row my confidence grew and I felt more and more comfortable with the needles.  After a few more sessions I had completed my first knitting project ever!

I wanted to make another pair, but I get bored easily. (Sad I know, but at least I'm realistic about it!) One of the books that I have in my collection is called the Complete Book of Knitting.  Among other things, it has page after page of stitch patterns in it.  Since I was feeling comfortable with the knit and purl, I decided that I could substitute one of the simpler patterns for the section that is worked in the double moss stitch.  It took a little bit of calculating and a little bit of hope, but I went for it and look!! It worked! This is the "small check" pattern and I think it looks terrific.  If you thought I was happy after the first pair you should have seem me when I finished the personalized pair!  My husband (bless him) even listed attentively and with (I think) real interest as I explained to him what I had achieved!

Here's the thing about me and knitting.  For some reason I am able to visualize stitches and elements coming together to make changes - or even to make something from scratch.  That never happened to me with crochet.  Even though I have the big stitch dictionary I never thought about substituting one into an existing pattern.  Strange isn't it?  It's like the light bulb went on, or the door opened (or some other inspirational quote) and I can imagine creating designs of my very own.  Of course I realize that I have a long way to go.  I'm encouraged though that my brain is thinking that way.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not giving up crochet.  I'm  keeping myself open to the plethora of possibilities that exist.  I love learning new things and flexing those synapses to keep me motivated and intrigued.  I've all ready been entertaining the idea of a project that contains both knitting and crochet!!

Next up is knitting on double pointed needles.  A daunting proposition for sure.  Every book that I've read, and everyone in the knitting group assures me that it is much easier than it appears.  Surely that can't all be wrong??  I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.  And also a big thanks to everyone who entered the book giveaway.  Karen W. was so excited to win.  She told me this was the first time she ever won anything!!  March is going to be a busy month.  There's the knitting and crocheting and the book reviews too.  Plus, it's my first blog-iversary and I have more giveaways planned. I hope you'll join the fun!

Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!