Isn't the community wonderful?
Taking my skills to the next level, thanks to some unexpected guidance...
Inside: woes solved, an overflowing yarn store, fun reads, deep relaxation, red fluffballs, kindness + the art of asking.
This week I’ve experienced knitting woes. I’d had such difficulty with the beginning of my new project (the True Nature Tee).
I received some advice about knitting flat for a few rows before joining in the round (particularly with fine yarn). So I attempted that several times and found not only was I twisting it, but also seemed to be knitting reverse stockinette!
I’d done the stockinette stitch, and when I joined in the round, it started to look like garter stitch. Thought I was going to pull my hair out!
And the other thing I found was the color was dark and difficult to see on my wooden Rainbow Options Interchangeable Knitting Needles.
Perhaps I need new glasses.
Fortunately, the lovely people of Substack pitched in to give me excellent suggestions to fix the problem and other ideas to help me knit with darker yarn.
- said: “You have not only twisted it but flipped it inside out when you joined. The four rows of flat knitting should help to avoid the twist but it can happen to anyone. I twisted mine at a knit & natter the other day. When you line it up to join make sure your purls are on the inside and you should be fine. Also daylight knitting is your friend with that shade.”
- said: “I was telling my hubby the other day about the woes of knitting black yarn and how it’s hard to see the stitches. It doesn’t help that apparently I’m at the age where my eye muscles have decided focusing on close stuff is just too. damn. hard. 😥”
Meredith from
said: “Maybe get some lighter colored needles, so there is contrast supporting the stitches? I had similar problems one time using some beige yarn that was exactly the same color as the bamboo needles I was working with. When I switched to a metal pair that happened to be a good contrast color to the beige (lime green!) the difficulties were greatly reduced!”
Thank goodness for these people because that gave me some clues on what I was doing wrong.
I practiced on leftover yarn from my Tara Top and bigger needles. Lo and behold, I worked out how to knit flat first and then join in the round without twisting the stitches! And continuing with the stockinette so the knit and purl rows matched.
I’m forever thankful for my ability to ask for help because I think many of us feel if we’re asking for help, we’re less than. If we’re going to learn anything that makes us a better knitter, seeking help from others means you do become better.
Thanks again to all the lovely people who helped me this week:
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A trip down memory lane…
Ever been to a yarn store that’s chock-a-block full of yarn, and you think I’m never going to find anything? Or, you’re going to pull one out to feel it and all the others will come tumbling out?
That’s the case in a tiny shop with so many things in it (in Chiang Mai) where I bought the yarn for the textured blanket I made.
Despite the people in the shop not speaking English, they were so kind and helpful. One of the things I appreciate in Chiang Mai are the friendly local people, and they have a real gift for customer service.
What I’ve loved this week: reads, listens, visuals and gratitudes…
Well Hello! is the accompanying book Lee Sales and Annabel Crabb wrote about their ten-year-old podcast “Chat 10 Looks 3.” I’m a regular listener, and I love how Annabel and Lee call their audience “chatters.”
They have excellent book recommendations and great ideas for what to watch. They’re just so natural with each other, so it feels like listening to two friends having a chat together.
It’s only about half-an-hour, as they’re aware people are time poor, and they realize taking 30 minutes to listen to them is something people can do easily.
When I want to get more nourishment from my meditation, I use the Plum Village app, and I listen to deep relaxation meditations by the Buddhist Nuns and Monks. They’re recordings from the retreats they hold.
I particularly like Sister Chan Khong’s Deep Relaxation: Coming Home To Your Body. I love the joy and glee in her voice and her singing. She sings in French, Vietnamese and English. By the end, I’m totally soothed and relaxed!
I highly recommend the Plum Village app if you’re looking for something different in your meditation.
Chiang Mai’s flowers are to behold. There are so many I’ve never seen before and maybe that’s because I’m living in a tropical climate. They’re a feast for the eyes!
I noticed a beautiful flowering bush with red fluffy flowers.
The other plant that took my eye was a Bougainvillea with four colors growing on the same vine. I’d never seen that before and they were beautiful.
I’m grateful for the kindness of knitters and their generosity in sharing their experience to help me become a better knitter.
Because I’d admitted to having knitting woes, I think people resonated with that.
Everyone has them! When you know something more than another person, sharing that and helping them is a gift.
How lucky we are to have access to these kindhearted, generous people.
A thought for you to ponder this coming week…
Here’s a quote from Amanda Palmer, from her insightful TED talk called, The Art Of Asking: “When we really see each other, we want to help each other.”
So, may you ask for help when needed, give advice when you can, and enjoy your craft despite the difficulties. We’re all learning and trying to have fun!
And remember… all things in moderation… Except yarn. ☺️
How’s your crafting going? Leave a comment or press reply!
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Before you go…
Always glad to help out where I can. <3
Congratulations on learning to fix your knitting mistakes. Reading your knitting and fixing errors is such an important and underrated skill. And yes, I'm constantly blown away by the kindness of knitters. People always seem to want to go above and beyond to help their fellow knitter out, and honestly it one of my favourite things about knitting. The online community is just amazing.