"You don't knit because you are patient. You are patient because you knit."
Whether you have been knitting for decades or recently picked up knitting as a fun hobby, there are ways to get more serious about your knitting. Perhaps you want to knit more often or learn a new stitch technique. Maybe there is a knitting project you want to tackle, but haven't yet made the commitment. In this blog post, we will talk about several ways to get more serious about your knitting- whatever that means for you.
"Getting more serious" can look different for different people, especially depending on where you are in your knitting journey. Think about which knitting goals are important to you and set a date for completion. Here are a few ideas for goals:
Do you truly understand your stitches? Play around with tighter and looser stitches, wrap your yarn in a different way, and use different types of yarn. Make a few experimental swatches so that you learn stitch anatomy and how to deliberately alter your stitches. Don't be afraid to make some mistakes. Learning how to fix mistakes is a great way to take your knitting more seriously.
Beginners and advanced knitters alike can benefit from taking a knitting class. Just like anything else, if you want to get serious about your knitting, continue your education. Thousands of online knitting platforms offer classes ranging from learning new stitches to how to make a weighted blanket. If you are fortunate enough that there are in-person knitting classes offered in your area, sign up for at least one. Most knitters are self-taught, but serious knitters expand their knowledge with some more formal knitting education.
If you began knitting 20 year ago, you would have to find a more advanced knitter in real life to ask a question. Today, we have fantastic forums, like Ravelry, where we can reach out to more advanced knitters and ask questions. If you are ready to take your knitting more seriously, learn from more experienced knitters. Shorten the learning curve by relying on the expertise of an advanced knitter happy to share their thoughts.
It may be tempting to cut costs by using standard, bargain yarns, but if you plan to get more serious about your knitting, consider raising your quality standards. Knitting a garment requires you to invest several hours and lots of effort. Ensure that your investment is worth it by using high-quality yarn that will stand the test of time.
You've heard the old adage, "Practice makes perfect." Knitting more often may not make you a perfect knitter (there's no such thing) but it will allow you to be more serious about your knitting. Incorporate knitting into your daily routines so that you are practicing for at least a few minutes every day.
These are just a few examples of how to get more serious about your knitting. There are countless other ways. The important thing is that we continue to knit and keep this ancient tradition alive and thriving for future generations.