Today’s topic:
A New Skill: Is there a skill related to your hobby that you hope to learn one day? Maybe you’re a crocheter who’d also like to knit? Maybe you’d like to learn to knit continental, knit backwards, try cables or attempt stranded colourwork.
Hmmm. This is a bit of a tough one. I can knit backwards, but prefer not to. I have tried continental, but find it’s not as natural to me (and what’s wrong with being an English knitter? It’s all what appeals and works for you, I think!). I’ve done cables, lace, and colorwork. I don’t think that there’s any skill related to knitting that I have a burning desire to learn. I thought about a crochet related skill, but I know quite a bit about crochet and feel comfortable picking up a crochet pattern and being able to do it.
In trying to pick a skill I want to learn for this prompt, it made me wonder: Have I learned every skill related to knitting? If so, where do I go from here? I feel like I learned a lot of knitting skills early on. If I saw something new that I wanted to try, I did it. I feel confident that I could knit any any pattern put in front of me. I don’t think I’ve learned everything ever about knitting, but I do feel that I have learned all the skills I want to that are related to knitting. I can’t even think of something I haven’t tried yet aside from steeking and I don’t think that that would be considered a “skill.”
So, where do I go from here if I feel I’ve learned every skill I have wanted to learn? I can’t say I know for certain. I do know that I love knitting and I will keep on knitting and taking on larger, more challenging projects. Maybe even do some Epic Lace and steeking sometime. Learning all the skills I have wanted to has only increased my love for the craft! I don’t know that there will be a time when I don’t feel challenged in some way by knitting. I feel like there’s more to learn about knitting itself rather then just learning the skills. About fiber, yarns, patterns, techniques… there’s always *something* you pick up here and there about knitting that isn’t specifically a skill and all of that is valuable, too!
Be sure to check out the other entries for today’s topic!
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I’m a thirty-something who lives in Cincinnati, OH.
Crafting, for me, started young - I can’t even recall a time I wasn’t crafty in some way. My first foray into yarn was doing plastic canvas embroidery and making Barbie doll furniture. Not long after that I learned to crochet from a book my grandmother gave me after asking to learn what she was doing (she crochets, afghans mostly these days). After that, I took up counted cross stitch and then came sewing when I took two fashion design classes in high school. My mom had a sewing machine from my great grandmother and I taught myself to sew from patterns on it. I still use this same sewing machine today!
I started knitting in 2004 when a co-worker was pregnant with her first child and I wanted to make something for her. I bought a “learn to knit kit” from Lion Brand for a baby hat and booties set. I did make the baby hat and booties (with very few problems) and ended up gifting them to the co-worker. I wanted to make a blanket, but I wasn’t quite able to get that done in time since it took a lot longer then I’d imagined! It wasn’t until the end of 2004/early 2005 that knitting really took a hold of me. Now I love knitting and almost always have a project with me, even if it’s just something small when I’m out and about. I like a wide range of projects depending on my mood. Sometimes I like a good challenge knit and other times I enjoy a lot of stockinette or garter stitch. I love Ravelry for keeping track of my projects and for finding new things to knit - I feel like I’m always spending time on there! It’s also a great place for getting to know other knitters, crocheters, and various fiber enthusiasts.
In the fall of 2008, I purchased a spinning wheel from someone on Craigslist. It’s a Babe Fiber Starter, single treadle wheel and after a bit of trouble getting used to it, I’ve managed to spin up some fiber. In January of 2012, I found someone local that was selling their Lendrum DT and it came to live with me! The Babe now lives with Jen (aka piddleloop) and she’s learning to spin. I’m still trying to find time to spin along with knitting, crocheting (occasionally), and whatever else is going on, but I work it in here and there.
I’m sure there’s something I might have left out here, so if there’s anything else you want to know about me, just ask :o)
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Ms Lindz - My little corner of the internet 
How about trying your hand at designing?
really, one might think it conceited to say such a thing but really….advanced knitting techniques have an incredibly simple foundation. 🙂