I have been knitting since I was sixteen years old. I have knitted ton of projects with knits and purls, increases and decreases, ribbing and double-pointed needles. For some reason though, I have a phobia of reading and working knitting patterns.
There is something about psso, ssk, yo, p3tog, and those * repeat from strings that just curdle my nerves. I have memorized all the abbreviations and poured over the mechanics of each of the elements so that I actually can visualize what I am reading in the pattern. I made the excuse to myself that my pattern avoidance was due to my compulsive habit of mindless knitting. A complex stitch would require that I pay attention to the knitting.
In actuality, mindless knitting is getting boring and I am finding more and more patterns that are intriquing to me. I am longing to knit socks and have bought several pairs worth of yarn. I have started a few sets and gotten through several inches of ribbing but no further. I am also admiring the lacy shawl patterns that are out now, fair isle patterns and the simplicity of cables. If I want to knit these things, though, I will need to use a more complex pattern. I also have designs on completing the Knitting Guild of America's Master Knitter program. This pattern of phobias will just have to go.
I am collecting some stitch patterns and am starting to work sample swatches. I am finding that I can memorize those repeat strings and keep a knitting rhythm. I have also found a few stitches that I don't like. I guess I have learned that doing swatches is useful for more than just measuring gauge. Anytime I am using a stitch pattern or something unusual I will definitely knit up a swatch first. It will be a great way to determine that a pattern is annoying and just not what I want to do before I actually start a project. It seems easier to commit to a complex pattern when I only have to knit a few inches of a square.
Hopefully working through those squares, I will conquer my fear of knitting patterns and be able to move on to the daring side of knitting, one swatch at a time.
There is something about psso, ssk, yo, p3tog, and those * repeat from strings that just curdle my nerves. I have memorized all the abbreviations and poured over the mechanics of each of the elements so that I actually can visualize what I am reading in the pattern. I made the excuse to myself that my pattern avoidance was due to my compulsive habit of mindless knitting. A complex stitch would require that I pay attention to the knitting.
In actuality, mindless knitting is getting boring and I am finding more and more patterns that are intriquing to me. I am longing to knit socks and have bought several pairs worth of yarn. I have started a few sets and gotten through several inches of ribbing but no further. I am also admiring the lacy shawl patterns that are out now, fair isle patterns and the simplicity of cables. If I want to knit these things, though, I will need to use a more complex pattern. I also have designs on completing the Knitting Guild of America's Master Knitter program. This pattern of phobias will just have to go.
I am collecting some stitch patterns and am starting to work sample swatches. I am finding that I can memorize those repeat strings and keep a knitting rhythm. I have also found a few stitches that I don't like. I guess I have learned that doing swatches is useful for more than just measuring gauge. Anytime I am using a stitch pattern or something unusual I will definitely knit up a swatch first. It will be a great way to determine that a pattern is annoying and just not what I want to do before I actually start a project. It seems easier to commit to a complex pattern when I only have to knit a few inches of a square.
Hopefully working through those squares, I will conquer my fear of knitting patterns and be able to move on to the daring side of knitting, one swatch at a time.
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