Project Suggestions

[sabrinat]

If you're a more experienced knitter what are some projects (types or specifics are welcome) that you would suggest to improve my knitting skills. I know that practice will go a long way in doing that but I thought I could practice on more challenging projects.

[ErinBird]

I'd try to find a well written pattern with lots of step by step details. Arm yourself with a few links to videos of techniques and a good source of basic knitting notations/abbreviations.

I went from garter stitch scarves to knitting longies from a purchased pattern.

[iowaorganic]

Have you learned to do cables?
For a small project I would do a cable handbag-there are several cute ones on ravelry- there is also a cute one on the JoAnns website.
For a larger project I would knit a central park hoodie- but thats just me.... love that pattern

How about lace?

You could choose a shawl (which if you order knitpicks- the yarn cost is very reasonable)....

Hmmmm what else. How about a knit purl poncho? Or an Anthropologie inspired caplet? Or a drop stitch scarf?

[sabrinat]

I am definitely going to try a drop stitch shawl. I have the clapotis all printed out ready to go. I think I should also try cables, a handbag is a really good suggestion. Thanks...keep em coming.

[Rhiannon Feimorgan]

I really like socks. Learning how to knit in the round, especially with double pointed needles is a valuable skill. The various ways of turning a heel teaches you all sorts of things about shaping and once you have those skills down, socks are a great little project for practicing all kinds of stitches. Cables, lace, texture, stranded color work... You can usually knit a pair of socks with one skein of yarn in about a week so it's not going to cost you a lot of money or give you time to loose interest.

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by Rhiannon Feimorgan

I really like socks. Learning how to knit in the round, especially with double pointed needles is a valuable skill. The various ways of turning a heel teaches you all sorts of things about shaping and once you have those skills down, socks are a great little project for practicing all kinds of stitches. Cables, lace, texture, stranded color work... You can usually knit a pair of socks with one skein of yarn in about a week so it's not going to cost you a lot of money or give you time to loose interest.

I have a nice stash of sock yarn so that's really good. I never even thought about socks being so versatile, but I think you're so right. I however don't love the dpn...I've taught my self to do them on circulars. Now I feel inspired. I'm going to search raverly for some good patterns beyond the standard sock I've done. Do you have a favorite pattern that I might try. I thought about doing that Monkey one from knitty.

[Rhiannon Feimorgan]

I found it worth it in the long run to fight through the pain and figure out the dnps.

Monkey socks, do you mean these? They are very cute! I hadn't come across those before. They are very cute, challenging without being overwhelming. I think they'd be a great start. I think i'm going to have to knit them myself!

I think, for me, it's a good idea to stick to patterns where only one or two elements are new to you. So the first pair of socks I made were very simple a bit of ribbing, a bunch of stockinette stitch a flap and gusset heel. Then I did a few with some other kind of simple stitch instead of the stockinette. Then I tried other ways of turning heels or more complicated stitch patterns.

[Crafty]

I didn't know if I would be able to do dpns. Despite my user name, I am not the craftiest of all people. : And I didn't want to waste money on stuff I wasn't going to end up using, so...

I grabbed a few pair of chopsticks from the local Chinese restaurant one night. Using them as knitting needles with some random yarn I had sitting around the house, I learned how to work dpns. Perhaps not the most orthodox way to do it, but it worked and I have a few pairs of completed socks to show for my experiment.

Great thread. I'm frightened by bigger, more challenging projects, but I still want to be able to improve my skills.

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by Rhiannon Feimorgan

I found it worth it in the long run to fight through the pain and figure out the dnps.

Monkey socks, do you mean these? They are very cute! I hadn't come across those before. They are very cute, challenging without being overwhelming. I think they'd be a great start. I think i'm going to have to knit them myself!

I think, for me, it's a good idea to stick to patterns where only one or two elements are new to you. So the first pair of socks I made were very simple a bit of ribbing, a bunch of stockinette stitch a flap and gusset heel. Then I did a few with some other kind of simple stitch instead of the stockinette. Then I tried other ways of turning heels or more complicated stitch patterns.

Oh, I know how to use dpn, I just don't really like them. But, like you I felt it was an essential element to learn how so I did.
Yeah, those are the monkey socks I'm speaking of. I think it's the most downloaded sock pattern on Rav. Cookie A. has a new book, but I wasn't blown away enough to buy it.
I find that I knit the things I'm comfortable with over and over and I need to step outside my box. I love all the great suggestions I've gotten here.

[holyhelianthus]

You seem a bit more advanced than me (I haven't used dpns yet ) but right now I am low on energy but also on bedrest and have chosen to make this time about improving my knitting skills. I have found some washcloth patterns that use different stitches and such and am going to play with those. Then I'd like to try my hand at a baby hat (well, 2 as I will have 2 heads to cover) using dpns of course. I also should probably make a soacker.

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by magstphil

You seem a bit more advanced than me (I haven't used dpns yet ) but right now I am low on energy but also on bedrest and have chosen to make this time about improving my knitting skills. I have found some washcloth patterns that use different stitches and such and am going to play with those. Then I'd like to try my hand at a baby hat (well, 2 as I will have 2 heads to cover) using dpns of course. I also should probably make a soacker.

Oh, I'm so sorry. I was on bedrest in the hospital for my last pregnancy and it was misery But, I have a healthy dd now so it was worth it
I think the washcloth idea is a great one. I plan to do that too. In fact I found a book at the thrift store, I think it's called how to knit afghans by Barbara G. Walker and essentially she has you knit a ton of different blocks using different stitch patterns and then you have piece them together to make an afghan or I could use them as washclothes and learn new stitches! WooHoo! Now I'm excited.

[joshs_girl]

Wendy Johnson has a new book out called Socks From the Toe Up that is just fabulous. I really like her patterns because she gives you basic "recipes" for socks, then you can combine toe cast ons with different heels and gauges and patterns to get a sock that is fitted uniquely to your foot.

Plus, it makes me feel like I'm designing my own sock without having to do a lot of thought work

And those Monkey socks, I knit up a pair, and lord, are they some quick, addictive knitting!