The Zimmer Zoo

I’ve been reading the Debbie Macomber Blossom Street books which have inspired me to try out knitting – again, I think. I mean, I’m fairly certain that I knitted a bit when I was in elementary school. (Look for my book review on the Blossom Street books soon…gotta finish the one I’m reading first.)

The good news is that I have the casting on down cold. And the knit 1, purl 1 is pretty easy as well. And it would be good news if I said that I’ve knit about 10 rows (of 159 stitches each!!)…except that I’ve unraveled that many as well. *sigh* I get to the 3rd row of my pattern and freak out. And the pattern is geared for beginners! Not labeled easy. Labeled Beginner. Ya. that’s right. that extra hook needle is trippin’ me up (Can you tell I’m a crocheter? 😉 )

As a crocheter, I keep the yarn in my left hand. My first hurtle was getting used to holding the yarn in my right hand. The second hurdle was that second needle. Luckily, I was smart and got the circular needles so they’re attached. Every time I “drop” one, it doesn’t go far so I don’t have to dig it out of the couch cushions 🙂

My biggest problem is that I don’t know what to do if I mess up a stitch. With crocheting, you unravel a bit to where you know you messed up (or a bit past it), and then continue. It doesn’t seem to be that easy with knitting…the stitches are more intertwined than crochet, so I don’t know where to pick up the stitch that I dropped (if only it were that I’m just dropping it…I think I’d be able to figure THAT one out), or how to unravel a few stitches but make the stitches that get put back on the needle look right.

I suppose with practice (and boy am I getting practice), I’ll learn what they look like and how to twist things around so the stitches go in the right direction and stuff…but right now I’m terrified that I’ll *finally* get to row 4, mess up, and then end up unraveling the entire dang thing again!

Any tips for a beginner? 🙂

Filed under: crafts, me | Tagged: knitting, tips for me please, yarn |