I never thought I'd see the day when I wrote a post about knitting, but here we are! I recently took the opportunity since becoming a Skillshare ambassador to finally learn how to knit following a simple scarf class - now I'm hooked! I've knitted in the past, in fact I created a brief at art college around knitting, making samples out of knitted copper wire, knitting with broomsticks & using a knitting machine. So I'm very familiar with garter stitch!
Get 2 months of Skillshare FREE when you sign up through me HERE
But after watching my mum create beautiful knitted garments pretty much monthly for as long as I can remember, I no longer just want to put in the odd cheeky cardigan request, and actually knit one myself. I also trawled Instagram for some cool knitting accounts and that was it, my knitting aspirations have gotten bigger and more ambitious by the day. And yes, I am still just knitting my first jumper *face palm*.
I raided my mum's knitting patterns and she had the Wool And The Gang 'Total Eclipse Sweater' in her stash. It's an 'easy' pattern with a body consisting of pretty much 2 squares, knitted all in garter stitch. Although whilst the WATG yarn looks beautiful, it's a little out of my beginners yarn budget so I settled on a budget yarn incase this was all just going to be an awful memory.
My supplies:
Pattern: Wool And The Gang 'Total Eclipse Sweater'
Yarn: Stylecraft Special Aran Yarn in 'Fondant'
Needles: 5mm Bamboo Needles
I've been knitting every evening for around a month now and it really has brought a lot to my life. I know it sounds silly, but it's really had a positive impact on my evenings. Instead of fiddling with my phone, or working on my laptop, I'm taking that time instead to knit and it's far more enjoyable. If I feel like my day hasn't been particularly productive or it's just been super stressful, taking the evenings to work on my knitting means I am being productive (however slow the process may be) and it relaxes my mind.
I've also been struggling with my sewing and motivation this summer, and finding knitting came at a great time for me where I felt guilty for not sewing and failing with my summer dressmaking. I finally had that rush of excitement again that comes with learning a new skill and the possibilities that come with it.
I'm only half way through my first knitting project, but I'm so excited to have my first ever knitted-by-me jumper. I've definitely gotten a little carried away and have downloaded a bunch of free patterns, I've got my yarn and needles ready and waiting for my second project. So fingers crossed this is the start of a new creative venture for me! I'm going to be SO cosy.
EDIT: My First Knitting Haul Vlog
What do you think about knitting? Is it a skill you'd like to learn?
Thanks for reading, pinups!
Abi xo
Disclaimer: Contains affiliate links.