A Knitting "Ah-ha!" Moment

I wanted to share with you all just how proud I am of how far my knitting has come along. Over the years I dabbled in knitting, making nothing more than simple scarves, random super easy stockinette mittens, and copious amounts of dishcloths. It has only been recently, as in at-the-start-of-last-year recently, that I started to get more serious about knitting. After a few easy peasy projects to get me going, I ventured away from beginner projects to tackle more intermediate, "challenging" projects that required me to learn how to read charts and produce a fabric that was more than simple stockinette and garter stitches. My real shining knitting moment was when I finished the Mosey legwarmers that I realized that "I can do this, I can knit!!", all of which motivated me to try even harder projects (well, harder for me). That's when I decided I could venture into the art of knitting actual, wearable garments.

I have learned SO much about knitting last year. I have added so many new techniques to my repertoire, have had several "Ah-ha!" moments, have read numerous books and websites about knitting, and have even signed up for a few knitting newsletters that arrive in my inbox on a daily basis. I had started the year with a handful of generic (and some really cheap) needles in my inventory to ending the year with a very well stocked collection full of Addis, Harmony wood, HiyaHiya, and yes, some really cheap ones in a full range of sizes. I think I have even developed my own knitting style, if there is such a thing. I went from knitting solely on straight needles to now knitting everything on circulars (yay for no more losing a needle and trying to hunt it down!). I even made the jump from DPNs to Magic Loop and knitting both sleeves at the same time on the same needle. And with each project I find myself learning at least one new thing.

Sometimes I wonder if all my new found knitting knowledge isn't due to me joining the Bitchy Bees? I think being around other knitters has really encouraged me to test my skills and pushed me to challenge myself. Not to mention that if I were to stumble and needed help I'd have a handful of lovely ladies to help me out and lend me their knowledge. I still kick myself to this day for not discovering the group sooner, like when I used to live in the Cook Street Village where I was only blocks away from our meeting place. Back when I had so much time to spare (as this was pre-munchkin days!), and could've spent my sick and maternity leave knitting up a storm. Oh well, nothing can be done about it now.

My recent "Ah-ha!" moment that made me think about my knitting accomplishments and progress came while knitting up the owls sweater. As I've mentioned earlier I've ditched the DPNs in favor of the Magic Loop method, but had noticed while knitting up the sleeves that I was still somehow getting the dreaded 'ladders' in my knitting. At one point I thought about a question one of my fellow Bees had asked about why my knitting was inside out while using the Magic Loop. At the time I didn't think a thing about it and had figured it was just the way I knit. But out of curiosity (and wondering why I was still getting ladders...grr...) I looked at a video on youtube and discovered that my Magic Loop technique wasn't up to par (man I love youtube!). I copied what the knitter in the video did and after a few rounds, those pesky ladders had disappeared! Ah-ha! So many things just clicked! And not just with my ML technique, but with some other knitting related things. I had a knitting epiphany! Unfortunately it was at 3 in the morning and everyone was fast asleep and I had no one to share it with. But still.

I finished owls feeling like I had accomplished more than just finishing a sweater. It was soooo satisfying! Has anyone else had a knitting ah-ha! moment recently? What a great feeling it is to have one! Like a geek, I can't wait for the next one to hit. 'Til that happens, I'm off to knit up another project. Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend thus far! And let me know what wondering knitting moments you've had as of late!

Happy knitting y'all!