These are the 5 rules/guidelines/philosophies (?) I tend to follow when it comes to my knitting.
#1 Don’t promise a hand knitted gift
Most of my knitting ends up as a gift for someone, but the recipients won’t know they are one of the lucky ones until it has been presented. I also don’t confine myself to a when. I’ve started many a project with the intent to have it done for a birthday, only to shift it to a Christmas present. If I break this rule (like I did yesterday when I told my mum she was getting something knitted for her birthday) I make it perfectly clear that she will receive it when it is done.
#2 Always take your knitting with you
The waiting room becomes your friend; doctor’s offices, mechanic, dare I say, the DMV? No more old magazines or doom scrolling on your phone. You have knitting to do!
#3 Have at least 2 projects
One for thinking, and one for…not thinking. Stockinette stitch in the round anyone? Some projects require your undivided attention, and there is a perfectly good time and place for that. In the before times, I would bring my 16″ circular needles and just knit a tube for a scarf or hat to the movie theater. Now, it’s perfect for those daily Zoom meetings, sitting with a child who is doing a worksheet, or see #2.
#4 Focus on the stitches you did well, not the “mistakes”
We make thousands of stitches perfectly, and then one little mistake happens. Now the whole thing is ruined! Why?! Instead, why don’t we give credit to those thousands of wonderful stitches, and just accept those “mistakes” as part of the hand made process.
#5 Life is too short; be adventurous
Don’t let yourself be daunted by a project because you think it’s too hard. I’ve learned this lesson recently (post to be made once the challenging project has been completed). If you see a shawl, sweater, pair of socks, whatever and love it, freaking knit it! Get the pattern, get the yarn, cast it on, look up videos on unfamiliar techniques, and please refer back to #4. Maybe you mess it up beyond all recognition; rip it out and try again, or use the yarn for something else if you must. But there is a pretty significant chance that you will succeed, so it’s worth it to try.
