Hello again!
Can I be candid with you all for a moment? I am a crocheter and have been for almost 20 years. For those 20 years, I was devoted to crochet and crochet only. I was extremely intimidated and afraid to ever try knitting. I thought there was no way I could learn such a craft after using a single hook all my life. It seemed like some sort of wizardry to me how with two pointy sticks and a ball a yarn, such wondrous and exquisite fiber pieces could be made. I admired the beauty of what others could do, and doubted my ability without ever trying. I just always assumed that if it couldn’t be done in crochet, it wasn’t for me.
I was stupidly and ignorantly WRONG and for such a long time! I’m not ashamed to say it. I had a picture in my mind of what I had always done and never thought of the possibility of what I could be capable of until one day I decided it was time to break free from those fears and doubts.
Let me tell you one of the revelations I had the first time I picked up a pair of knitting needles, which by the way was just in the last couple of years (and only seriously in the last year). I looked at them and no longer felt intimidated, but saw them finally as a tool for learning. I started by learning how to cast on my stitches using the long tail method. Thanks to the incredible knitting community who share their knitting tutorials on YouTube, it was incredibly easy to go from casting on to knitting my first row. After my first row was finished, I couldn’t wait to start the next, and then the next, and then the next. It was thrilling and addicting to see each row building on the last, creating the stretchy, ridged fabric that was similar but unlike anything I had ever crocheted before.
What I made was far from perfect. My tension was all over the place and many of the stitches were too loose or too tight. It wasn’t about perfection though, it was about breaking through my mental barrier and proving to myself I could do something I had doubted for so many years. It will take time and lots of practice to become a better knitter, but I’m absolutely up to the task now more than I ever have.
I don’t know if there are other crocheters or knitters out there who might have had or currently have similar thoughts to the ones I once had. If so, challenge yourself and break free from your self doubt. Don’t put yourself in a box labeled as only one type of something. Seize your opportunity to learn a new craft or skill you’ve admired from afar. Take a class, watch a video tutorial, have a friend show you – whatever your means are to learn it, give yourself a chance and have fun!
I’m sharing the super easy pattern I tried as my first knit project below. It’s a great beginner project to get the hang of carrying your stitches, transferring them from one needle to the other as you practice the fundamental knit stitch. You can make one or make several. I made at least 5 of them which really helped boost my knitting confidence and helped me find a rhythm with my pace and tension.
Give it a go!
Super Easy Garter Stitch Wash Cloth
Knit Pattern written by Amanda White of Yarnanigans, Copyright 2017
All my patterns are available for free. Please do not copy, sell, redistribute or publish this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern on your site or social media, please link back to my site. You may sell items produced using this pattern provided you give credit and do not use my copyrighted photos for your product listing.
Materials
- US size 8/5 mm knitting needles (straight or interchangeable)
- 100 gram skein worsted weight cotton yarn, I used Dishie Yarn from Knit Picks in Creme Brulee, Blue, Twilight (variegated) and Mulberry
- scissors
- tapestry needle
Abbreviations
- CO – cast on
- K – knit
Stitch Definition
Garter Stitch: The most common stitch pattern in knitted fabrics created by knitting every row rather than alternating with purl rows.
Pattern Instructions
- Create a slip knot and insert your needle to cast on the first stitch.
- Continue to cast on an additional 44 stitches for a total of 45 on the needle.
- Turn your work. K each stitch across the row.
- Continue Step 3 until your wash cloth measures 8.5 to 9 inches.
- Bind off across the row and fasten off.
- Weave in your ends.
I hope I’ve given you all the essential learning blocks and encouragement to give knitting, or any other crafting medium you find intimidating, a try. Nothing is out of your realm so long as your mind is open and you take the initiative to learn. I wish everyone fun and discovery along the way! Good luck!
