The first things I knit were not exceptionally pretty. In fact, I must have threw away the first thing I made because I didn't even remember it until I found a picture in an old photo album on facebook. If I remember correctly, it was supposed to be a case for my camera. If I also remember correctly, my camera didn't even fit in it well [which probably explains why I tossed it.] Here's the picture I found. It was taken in January 2006 which is when I decided to learn to knit.
I made this decision because I like winter hats and thought it'd be awesome if I could make one myself. I didn't know anyone who could teach me so I went to AC Moore, bought a how to knit book, some needles and some yarn and tried to figure it all out myself. I screwed up a whole bunch but eventually figured out that to make it look right you had to knit one side and purl the other. I made a really short, really hideous scarf using the same multicolored yarn as the "camera case." I made a case for my ipod too but it met the same fate as the camera case, only without a picture to document its existance. Since I was really interested in making hats, I went back in search of patterns.
I bought this book, knit hats! [I think it may be out of print] I like it because it clearly explains knitting techniques. Although I had no interest in most of the patterns, I REALLY wanted to knit the Bunnies and Carrots hat on page 48... which was a bit ambitious for a beginning knitter... knitting in the round, knitting on DPNs, and color work. This is what I came up with:
For some reason I can't throw this guy away. There are so many problems... it is way too tight because I didn't leave the strands loose when I switched colors... I'm not sure why I decided to purl the orange half of the checker border... the white stitching is coming undone... the carrot is falling off... but it was my first big knitting project and it is what it is. I'm not embarrassed that I made it [although I am a bit embarrassed that I wore it around campus!]
I have made a lot of hats since then and, to be honest, all the techniques I learned from knitting hats I used when I started to design knit monsters! I had no idea. Tonight I found the etsy shop of woodsmokewoolworks, the woman who designed the Bunnies and Carrots hat. Her hats are great. woodsmokewoolworks.etsy.com. Check it out!
So, to all those knitters and makers of things... What's your story? How did you learn to do what you do? What was your first project?
I have made a lot of hats since then and, to be honest, all the techniques I learned from knitting hats I used when I started to design knit monsters! I had no idea. Tonight I found the etsy shop of woodsmokewoolworks, the woman who designed the Bunnies and Carrots hat. Her hats are great. woodsmokewoolworks.etsy.com. Check it out!
So, to all those knitters and makers of things... What's your story? How did you learn to do what you do? What was your first project?
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