How much time do you give a new craft or skill before you decide it's not for you?

[seaglass]

I started knitting last May and have made a scarf, market bags and hats. I am so disappointed with the last hat I made, how slow I knit and my inability to ever get gauge that I am thinking of either reverting back to square and rectangular items only or putting the needles away.

I also sew, quilt and embroider as a somewhat beginner - I would never consider myself skilled in any of those areas though I like doing all.

Seems that it would make sense to focus on one area to gain some expertise rather than dabble in multiple crafts.

I will also admit that I am a perfectionist and very critical of my own work.

Thoughts?

[Arkansas Granny]

1. Do you like to knit? If so, go back to making the items that you enjoy.

If you don't enjoy knitting, do something that gives you pleasure. A hobby should be fun and something you look forward to doing, not a chore that you have to force yourself into doing.

I tried knitting on several occasions before I felt somewhat proficient at it. When I quit smoking I decided that I would take it up again because it would keep my mind and my hands occupied. I did get better and I enjoy making things that look nice and that people can actually use. But, that's my story. Yours may have a completely different ending.

[seaglass]

3. I like to knit but am often frustrated with the end results. Probably sticking with scarves,

blankets and washcloths would be best. After I finish my son's hat.

[luvs2sing]

2. Knitting..

I’ve been knitting for forty years now, have taught for a few years, though I no longer teach. I think knitting is something you really have to be committed to learning. It is very frustrating at first, and there is a learning curve. Being a perfectionist and overly critical of your own work makes this much worse.

When you are a beginner, your gauge will almost always be off. When you've been knitting extensively for forty years, your gauge can also always be off. It isn’t wrong. It’s the way YOU knit, and all you need to do is adjust your needle size. I almost always get stitch gauge, but my row gauge is frequently off. And one of the best knitters I know knits so tightly that her beautiful lace creations are usually knit on needles 1-2 sizes larger than the pattern calls for. There’s no fault or shame in not getting gauge.

I taught myself to knit when I was 22. My mother tried unsuccessfully to teach me when I was a kid, but I couldn’t get the hang of it at all. Turns out, I need to tension the yarn in my left hand to knit. That’s who I am as a knitter. And even though I learned quickly, I made some horrific creations in my first years - yes, years! - as a knitter. The Aran sweater with all twisted purl stitches..the bathrobe aka bedspread with sleeves..yeah, I’ve made some real messes. But I learned from them.

My advice to beginning knitters is to get a pair of US#8 needles and a skein of light-colored acrylic yarn (acrylic because it handles being ripped out multiple times), and a good stitch dictionary. I recommend Barbara Walker’s Volume I or II. Then just make swatches. Find stitch patterns you like and figure out how to work them. I did this for about six months when I started knitting. I still screwed up a lot of stuff, but all that knitting evened my gauge out and helped build knowledge.

In short, ya gotta really want to knit and be able to handle some frustration and imperfection. I hope you stick with it, but I get it if you don’t.

[seaglass]

7. My knitting is very tight but I like the look of the fabric with the neat even stitches. I do

usually have to go up 2-3 needle sizes to get somewhat close to gauge. But there is definitely a problem with my technique, I am not so much tensioning the yarn as pulling it. Because of this I don't have a feel in my hands for knitting and can't even knit stockinette without watching my knitting.

I do have a knitting book that I really like and your suggestion about knitting swatches is a great one.

[dem in texas]

11. Yes, Knitting can fustrating for beginners, but worth the effort

I learned to knit over 40 years ago, part with help from my German landlady and part from an instruction book. The first thing I knitted was a pair of slippers. I was using a pattern from a McCall's craft magazine. The slippers were recommended as a beginner's knitting project. It was more challenging than a scarf, but introduced you to all major stitches and techniques used in knitting.
After knitting slippers for everyone in the family, I moved on to simple sweaters, then more complex projects.

This was in the 1960's and mohair sweaters were popular. I loved knitting with mohair yarn, called for big needles so the project went fast. Made some beautiful sweaters with it. Plus all the fuzziness covered my mistakes!

I agree, you have to figure out your normal gauge by knitting swatches, but don't get too perfect. You'll never move beyond the swatch and scarf phase. Don't be afraid to fail.

[handmade34]

4. if it gives you pleasure...

it doesn't matter how good or bad you do it... I sew (professionally at times) and tried knitting once... it was fun for one scarf and then it just become a chore

now I make scarves on the sewing machine

[seaglass]

8. I like to knit, I also like to sew, quilt and embroider. I think I am at the point that I need

to pick just one.

[dem in texas]

12. Like to keep 2 different types of projects going.

Get tired of one, can go to the other for a while.

I am working on my blue willow quilt, but laid it aside to make for jewelry for Christmas gifts. Was ready for a break from quilt tops. Necklaces are made, I am ready to go back to my quilting.

I am thinking about felting some thrift store sweaters to make vests and children's caps. Did felting 5 or 6 years ago; was simple and fun. Found lots of great sweaters at the thrift stores. Here is a pic of one of my baby caps, wish I'd taken more pictures of the things I made The cap is made of a felted cashmere sweater.

[lark]

5. Focus on the activity which brings you the most joy or serenity.

I too am somewhat perfectionistic and was doing a painting ceramics activity with my two of my teams a few years ago. I, naturally, chose one of the more difficult projects - a Santa. I love and collect red Santas, so thought what a great opportunity to make one myself! Well, everyone around me loved the Santa, while all I could see were the small flaws. A friend of mine approached me and said, everyone else is looking at the beauty and you are only interested in the flaws. Take some steps back and enjoy the bright holiday spirit it embodies. The flaws show that it's handmade, don't redo it and make it perfect. I now totally enjoy my little figurine as it is and display it on my bookcase with pride every Christmas.

Maybe you could step back & try to appreciate your products, find something about it you like, even if it's not perfect to the vision in your head?

[seaglass]

6. I get the perfectionism. My mom tried for years to get me to accept praise, she was my biggest

cheerleader. My daughter has now taken over that role.

There are accomplishments I've been proud of, mostly related to work, not so much to creative endeavors. That's why I was thinking of devoting my efforts to one area - from the old saying about jack of all trades master of none.

[PasadenaTrudy]

9. I started knitting over the summer

but have had to stop due to a sharp pain in my right hand. It zaps me even when I'm not knitting. I was just getting good at the moss stitch. I'm so pissed off! Sorry to stray off topic, just be careful with your hands, arms, and body!

[shanti]

14. Moss stitch?

You're a stronger woman than me, as I have been knitting for years and avoid moss stitch like the plague! It is one stitch that is definitely hard on the hands, lovely as it is. I don't knit much anymore because I've developed issues with my thumbs when knitting (mostly my left, nondominent thumb) that causes extreme pain. Arthritis of the carpo-metacarpal joint. Even was prescribed a couple of custom splints, but I rarely wear them. Overuse exacerbates the issues, so I just don't do many crafts anymore Anything where I have to pinch my thumb and forefinger together is painful.

Have you tried splints? I also use CBD balm on the base of the thumbs for the pain and it seems to work somewhat.

[dem in texas]

10. I like to try new crafts, but some are not for me

When we lived in Alaska, I would knit all the time. It is a great "pick-up" craft when watching TV, very relaxing. Not much use for heavy sweaters in Texas, so don't knit anymore. Several crafts I have tried and abandoned: hooking rugs, needlepoint and theorem painting.

Been making quilts for several years. decided to take a break. instead made myself a flannel patchwork skirt from thrift store shirts.
Turned out really nice, plus warm on my old legs.

[Phentex]

13. I tried stamping years ago...

I love card making and thought I would enjoy stamping. But I am horrible with stamps and just made a mess and nothing turned out right and I ruined a bunch of paper. So I cut that out right away.