Dishcloth 8 of 26

8) Cluster rib:

I really love using cotton for these swatches so that I can use them as dishcloths, and in general, I am a big fan of cotton, but it just isn't as nice to knit with as wool or even acrylic.  Cotton doesn't have the stretch and give that other fibers do, so I have to be careful to knit loosely or else I get frustrated, especially when trying to slip stitches over others.

Dishcloth 7 of 26

7) Snowflakes:

Dishcloths 5-6 of 26

5) Vertical Weave

6) Six Stitch Cable

From these two I learned:

• I am not a huge fan of pass slipped stitch over (but maybe I just need practice)
• Cables are way easier the second time around (I made this dishcloth once before)
• As much as I like the idea of not using a cable needle, I am not willing to take that chance just yet.
• I need to work on regulating my cast on and off tension because I go between way to tight and way to loose. I need to find a happy medium.
• There must be better ways to bind off some of these patterns because sometimes it just doesn't look very good. I need to look into that too.

I recently got the book Knit Fix by Lisa Kartus, but haven't had the time to take a look yet. I am hoping I can get some good pointers there to help out with some of the issues I am having. But regardless of some of these issues, I feel like I am definitely moving towards my goal of becoming better at knitting. I am quicker and it is getting easier. I am getting better at recognizing my mistakes and fixing them. I am starting to get ideas of how to do things without a pattern. I really like cables! This is exciting. I can't wait until I am done with all 26 and I can look back and see how much I have progressed and learned.

Dishcloth 4 of 26

The plan continues with

4) Lace and Fans:

The plan is working! I was able to do this with very little pattern assistance after I did the pattern once. Then, I got to the 2nd to last row and realized that I had forgotten to yarn over two rows before and was therefore short one stitch. I was completely amazed when I not only was able to figure out where the mistake was, but also drop stitches down two rows and rework them into the correct pearls/knits AND add in a yarn over. I was momentarily convinced that I was a knitting genius!

Dishcloths 1-3 of 26

The first three of my dishcloths in my plan to improve my knitting are complete.

1) Moss Stitch

2) Divided Boxes

3) Stockinette Stitch

On Knitting

I have a love-hate relationship with knitting. I love the way it looks, but I just don't like it as much as crocheting. I think it is because I learned to crochet first. I started crocheting right after high school. Someone taught me the basics and I just started trying and learning from my mistakes. I bought a book and learned as I went. Then, about 5 years later, in graduate school, I was introduced to knitting. Again, I learned the basics and then went on my own. I made a few simple scarves and things like that, but just never got into it that much. I make a scarf or two each year, but never really get motivated to do more. I think it is because crocheting is so much easier for me. I don't have to work very hard to get a lot of reward. I am still a novice at knitting. I wait so far between times that it is like starting over with learning how each time. I feel uncoordinated and frustrated, and eventually just go back to crocheting.

I recently came to the realization that crocheting was probably like this for me at first too, but I didn't have any easier choice at the time. I wasn't scared to make mistakes like I am with knitting. I just tried things and that is how I really learned to understand how it works. That is what I need to do with knitting. I need to get past my feelings of having to make something specific, something that looks good, and just make. something.

So, I branched out. I bought circular needles, went without a pattern, and decided to figure out how to knit in the round. I decided that if I ended up with a hat - great, if not - fine.

I did it! I knitted a hat! Without a pattern! So, it is a little small and the top is a little pointy. But, I leaned how to knit in the round, and I have some ideas of how to address the pointy top. I might even try following a pattern some time. At least it is a start. But, I think I need a goal to motivate me, so I came up with a plan...

I am going to use this book to learn 26 knit stitches. I am going to make one cotton dish cloth for each using this giant skein of yarn. If they are ugly, who cares? No worries, no pressure. Hopefully, when I am done, I will be a knitter. So, be on the lookout for updates. Maybe I can average one per week? It might be one every 2 weeks. We'll see.