Learning Process

Today I was looking for a pair of knitting needles that I need to return to a friend, and I came across one of the first things I ever knit. It's kind of an odd shaped rectangle, not really long enough to be a scarf, since I started running out of yarn. I also had a habit of increasing stitches in random places when I first learned how to knit.

I believe I began my knitting adventures in 2006. I didn't really know anyone who knit until I moved to Portland (there's not much use for scarves and hats in California!) Then all of a sudden it seemed like all of my friends knew how to knit, and several of them knit all the time. In fact, one of my friends even worked at a local yarn store for awhile. After watching her knit every time I saw her (on MAX, in coffee shops, basically anywhere we were sitting), I asked her to teach me. She taught me how to make a slip knot, how to cast on, and how to make knit stitches.
Then we both got busy with other things, and I stopped knitting (finding a job seemed more important). When a long-term temp job ended, I decided to work retail again. I ended up accepting a job at Michaels, which meant discounts on yarn, needles, and, most importantly, knitting classes. The knitting teacher was nice, and she offered classes several times a week. And since I saw her at work, I could ask her questions before or after my shift. She taught me a couple of other ways to cast on, the purl stitch, and how to bind off. I made several dish cloths and started making scarves.

After spending most of what I made on yarn and knitting needles (and beads), I moved on to an office job with a non-profit organization. I also started visiting independent yarn and craft stores, and discovered the world beyond fun fur and acrylic yarn ;) I took a hat knitting class at The Knitting Bee, my closest local yarn store. I also fell in love with Blue Sky yarn, especially the bulky alpaca -- super soft and knits up quickly, what more could you want?

Now I'm starting to think about taking a sock class. Socks seem less daunting than making a whole sweater. Not to mention less expensive!

And so the learning process continues...