ANATOMY OF PROJECT OBSESSION
It starts with an inspiration – someone needs or requests something, or you see a pattern, yarn, or an idea of a beautiful item that you want to create!
This is how it happened to me this time:
- Need. My niece needed a new hat. She didn’t ask for it, but I knew she wanted one after I made one for her husband. When I tried to find out if she really wanted one, she said she could never keep a hat. Every time she wears one, she said, one of her kids doesn’t have one and she gives hers to them. Typical. She needs a hat.
- Pattern. I got a “new-to-me” book of knitting patterns in the mail last week (Knit Red – Stitching for Women’s Heart Health) and I had already identified a gorgeous beret pattern by Ysolda Teague. This is the one. By the way, the the Knitmore Girls podcast is a fantastic source of reviews of knitting and crocheting books and patterns. They’re so honest in their reviews. The more I thought about this pattern, the more I knew that this beret would look fantastic on my niece.
- Yarn. Is there anything suitable in my stash? After lots of digging, I found a knit picks yarn that I bought because it was pretty but never used. I considered the yarn weight, color, fiber type, and whether it needed to be washable in comparing it to the yarn called for in the pattern for the beret.
- Needles. Do I already have suitable needles (and other toóls if needed) or do I need to buy them? Obviously, not having to buy them is the best option. Fortunately, I have the right size circulars with the right length of tubing (the part that connects the needles). Some tubing is long, for projects like blankets and shawls. Medium lengths are for projects like sweaters. I have a short pair for small projects like hats and mittens.
- Plan Swatch. Does it need to be in pattern or stockinette? Check the pattern where the gauge is indicated. It should indicate which stitch should be used. Once I have access to the pattern, I need to read it several times to be sure I understand all of it – especially with a fiddly stitch pattern. Depending on the yarn (indie-dyed or commercial), does the swatch need to be washed to determine color-fastness? Does it need to be blocked either to evaluate the fabric produced or to determine the blocked gauge (or both?)
- SWATCH. Man it’s easy to skip this step. Occasionally, it is possible to skip – especially when you’re making something without a lot of fit, like a scarf. However, the more fitted a piece is (and larger it is), the more you need to swatch. As everyone says (but it’s harder to do) – JUST DO IT.
- Evaluate your swatch. Do you like the fabric you get with the gauge called for? Does it look like you were expecting? If not, you may need a different needle size or even different yarn or pattern.
- Advanced techniques. If your pattern calls for techniques that you don’t usually use (or never have used), you may want to look into books or videos to brush up on any techniques. Youtube videos are a fantastic resource.
CAST ON! YES! FINALLY! – Don’t look back – see where to the pattern takes you. I can’t count the number of times where I cast on, but didn’t understand a pattern completely. I followed the instructions as carefully as I could, knit it anyway and wow, are those designers talented! If you do run into problems, check the other projects made from that pattern on ravelry, look at you tube videos, or maybe you can ask another knitter for some advice.
So make your inspiration come to life! Happy Knitting!
