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How do I improve my knitting skills?  

post #1 of 16
6/1/08 at 8:04pm
Thread Starter 
I seem to remember someone posting several types of things (maybe videos, maybe something online?), but I can't seem to find it. Can someone or someones link me please?
post #2 of 16
6/1/08 at 11:37pm
Some great videos are at knittinghelp.com

You just have to practice, I swear once a few projects were under my belt I felt much more confident and the improvement came!
post #3 of 16
6/2/08 at 11:37am
I learned a lot from tackling challenging projects for which I had a great deal of interest. For example, this was one of my very early projects. I struggled a lot with yarn overs, increasing and decreasing, making bobbles, picking up stitches, etc., but I stuck with it because I was in love with the pattern, and by the end, I felt like I had leapfrogged from beginner to intermediate knitter! And for just messing around, I often tried various techniques from Knitting for Dummies just on swatches or little things like wash cloths or small bags while sitting and watching T.V. or listening to music. I got really good at figuring out how different stitch patterns worked with different yarns, how to do lace, how tension works, how to neatly work in ends, etc.
post #4 of 16
6/2/08 at 12:55pm
Yep. The fastest way of getting better is by knitting lots and lots. The one skill that will make a huge difference to your knitting, however, is to take time with seaming, and to take time to block your FOs and to do that right now. Someone pointed out that almost all of the works on ravelry's "most beautiful FO" thread had been blocked with love and care, and I think they're right- it makes a huge difference. Take time to finish your work properly.
post #5 of 16
6/2/08 at 2:24pm
It can be a lot of fun to knit at your LYS. If you run into a problem you have plenty of people to ask.
post #6 of 16
6/2/08 at 2:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HoneyTree View Post
I learned a lot from tackling challenging projects for which I had a great deal of interest. For example, this was one of my very early projects. I struggled a lot with yarn overs, increasing and decreasing, making bobbles, picking up stitches, etc., but I stuck with it because I was in love with the pattern, and by the end, I felt like I had leapfrogged from beginner to intermediate knitter!
Funny, I always feel completely overwhelmed by a project with lots of new skills to learn. I like to pick a project with ONE new thing to learn... just enough to keep me challenged but still confident.

And I like to always have one or two "no-brainer" projects (like scarves) going at a time... easy garter or stockinette stitch, but with a yarn I haven't tried before.
post #7 of 16
6/2/08 at 4:05pm
I honed up on my skills but doing small but complicated projects. Small, so I wouldn't feel overwhelmed.

Someone suggested your local LYS--lots of times you can just drop in and knit and not sign up for a class.. Or even sign up for a class!
post #8 of 16
6/2/08 at 9:08pm
I think that by choosing projects and yarn that you love and working them out is the biggest thing to improving. I made a list of patterns that I absolutely loved and then put them in order of learning new skills. It worked well for me since I am very results oriented.
post #9 of 16
6/4/08 at 6:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by love2bmom View Post
It can be a lot of fun to knit at your LYS. If you run into a problem you have plenty of people to ask.
i have to agree. I'm still very novice, but just popping in for help has improved both my skill and enjoyment of knitting. I'm also taking a class to challenge myself to try more techniques. You could also try and connect with other knitters in your area, where I live there a bunch of groups that you can find through Craigslist and meetup.
post #10 of 16
6/4/08 at 7:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sabrinat View Post
iYou could also try and connect with other knitters in your area

like me!!
post #11 of 16
6/4/08 at 9:46pm
Thread Starter 
That would be great Kati!

My LYS is not very um friendly. They have some good stuff, but...friendly, not so much. They have classes, but not really when I'm available.

There is an not so LYS in a town about 45 minutes (w/o traffic), but the classes aren't usually when I can get out there. Over the summer though, maybe my mom can watch my boys so I can go to a class out there.

I haven't been ignoring you guys, just busy with 30000000000 doctors appointments.
post #12 of 16
6/4/08 at 10:08pm
Katie which store do you consider to be your local LYS?

A good friend of mine (not an MDCer *gasp*!) meet at the Borders on Kirby and West Alabama every other Saturday - but I'm not sure if you are an inner-looper or not.
post #13 of 16
6/4/08 at 11:36pm
Thread Starter 
The one near Belden's. I'm in Meyerland, so not quite inner loop, but nearly.
post #14 of 16
6/5/08 at 4:57pm
knit more. that's the only way i got better.
post #15 of 16
6/5/08 at 6:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mamaverdi View Post
The one near Belden's. I'm in Meyerland, so not quite inner loop, but nearly.
wannabe.....

post #16 of 16
6/5/08 at 6:20pm
Thread Starter 
:

Actually I like the area where I live.

But tell me, is there an LYS somewhere else close by that ISN'T in Katy?

Though I'm thinking of driving out to the store in Katy over the summer for classes.
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