I have discovered, that crafting is like riding a bike! Once you learn, even if you don’t do it for years, you never forget. The brain seems to remember what it needs to do.
As a child, I learned the basics of knitting. My Mum and gran were both expert & prolific knitters, so at some point, it seemed logical they would try and pass on their knowledge. I just wish now, that I’d been a more willing pupil because all I picked up were the basics: how to cast on, knit, purl, and how to cast off. I never learned how to follow a pattern, and all I’ve ever knitted in the past has been scarves.
Saying that . . . after having taught myself to crochet, from scratch, these past few months, and gaining in confidence with my hook, I’ve been wanting to pick up some knitting. Husband is partly at fault here. Seeing me crochet on my little amigurumi projects, and churn out a few beanies, he unwittingly told me that: “If you make me a sweater, I’ll wear it with pride!”. Hmmm !!!!
I wasn’t thinking about knitting at this point. My brain was locked into crochet mode, so I started browsing the net for free crochet patterns for men’s sweaters. I only found one. The rest were knitting patterns. And the more I looked, the more lovely free knitting patterns I found.
What to do? Pick up the knitting needles and see if the brain remembers how to knit & purl, I say!
Husband is going to have to wait a while for his sweater, I’m afraid, because I don’t have enough of any yarn in my stash to make a men’s sweater. I didn’t even have any long needles to make any kind of sweater, since mine were all 25cm needles (which are fine for scarves, but not much else). A trip to the shops remedied that. Several sizes of 40cm needles have been added to my stash. And I’ve begun work on my first ever sweater . . . for me.
This is the beginning. I’m following an easy pattern from Red Heart. Using a cheap acrylic yarn (I did my gauge swatch). The main colour is actually a lot more teal than it appears in the photo. Pattern is easy. Ribbing, then 16 rows of stocking stitch with 2 rows of knit thrown in for the contrasting stripe.
Husband is looking on with interest. If I manage to make something wearable, then I’ll be ordering in yarn for husband’s sweater.
Claire93's Blog 
Brilliant, and that’s it you are hooked!
Very nice & perfect idea dry run practice for yourself. Need to warm up those hands in preparation for tte jega length of MOTH arms. I yse circular needles on big projects. Well done
yes I suddenly realised hubbie’s sweater will be huge compared to knitting one for myself. I have circular needles, but have never used them before.
So…. does this mean you’ll have loads of yarny scraps to deal with as well now? Good luck with your practice run jumper, hope the husband doesn’t pile on too much pressure!
I don’t know lol. I suppose, if I end up with yarny scraps, I’ll just have to get back to knitting squares for my blanket (which sort of stopped at only 13 squares).
I think that’s what I was getting at! A whole new range of possibilities!
Ha we’ve had pretty much the exact same experience! My Nan taught me to knit when I was about 8, but I only ever got the basics and only ever made (slightly wonky) scarves.
But just a couple of weeks ago I decided to take it up again, and I can still remember how to do it! I’m going for a shawl though, for my first knitted object in a while. Maybe I’ll go for a sweater next 🙂
I did toy with the idea of a shawl, but a sweater is probably something I’ll wear more often.
That’s how it was for me…learned at age 5, could only manage three rows before the tension was so tight I couldn’t get the needles in. Fast forward to age 22 when my Norsk host mom restarted me knitting in the Norwegian style….success at last, though I was very sporadic until age 50, when it baca me more of a constant in my life. Now I’ll have to try crocheting again! Your sweater is looking beautiful, the stitches are so even and smooth!😄
thank you Kathy. Yep, I’m concentrating on keeping even tension, and so far so good.
It really looks great!!
My mom and my aunt taught me to knit – my mom is a very talented knitter. I was getting beyond the basics – cables, lace, some really pretty things. But then, about 20 years ago, I put down my needles when knitting a sweater for myself and have never picked them up again. The sweater is still in a bag patiently waiting… Maybe your knitting journey will inspire me to finish it! It looks like a really pretty pattern you have started. Happy knitting! 💕😊
mine is a very basic pattern, Storm, simply to tackle my first sweater and be able to say “I did it!”
The sweater looks lovely so far! I come from a very long line of crocheters. I tried to figure out knitting on my own a couple of years ago. It was very clumsy for me to try working with 2 needles instead of 1 hook. I was far too impatient I’m sure and just gave up. Someday I’ll try it again. 😀
well I’m a beginner at crochet, and never really got out of the starting blocks as a knitter, but . . . I decided reading a pattern can’t be all that difficult, and just to go for it.
Wow. You really dive in don’t you! I don’t think I ever graduated from scarves when I was knitting. Just lots of different types of scarves!
I’ve already made scarves for family members & myself . . . and when hubbie said he’d wear a sweater, well, I had no choice but to dive in. Making a women’s sweater first because it’s smaller, therefore quicker . . . for hubbie I’ll invest in a pattern and correct yarn.
I usually stop any yarn related activity once the hot weather starts – which it has down here – but have continued with my crochet as it has become a bit of an obsession. Luckily I’ve finished my knitting project – just need to sew it up – so that’s good, then the knitting needles (but not the hook) will be put away until October time. I like the look of your sweater. stocking stitch on small needles is a bit boring to do but perfect for when you’re just getting the feel of knitting again
yes, I was thinking tjat summer probably isn’t the best season to be knitting. I’ll see how températures are, and whether yarn sticks to needle or not.
yea for you! It looks like you are doing very well, and will get a lovely sweater out of the exercise. And the confidence (and patience) to knit your husband a sweater, too. I know someone else suggested circulars – they are quite nice when you get used to them – you aren’t holding the weight of the whole garment when you use them, it can sit in your lap more easily. This will matter on a man’s sweater…
thanks for the advice ^^
It looks like you remembered quite well, your basic knitting stitches. Your sweater start looks great. I think you will easily pick up new stitches in the future. I find knitting much easier than crochet. You are doing great! I see a hubby sweater in your future 😉
I find crochet more relaxing, to be honest. Just having the one hook to worry about. But I am getting more comfortable with my needles.
Ah….looking good! I mostly use circular needles when I knit! They don´t take up space and once you tried them, it´s easy!
Superb
Looks like you are off to a great start! Keep us posted on your progress. It is fun to see the sweater come together.
Can’t wait to see the finished sweater. Poor husband having to wait even longer for his.
I know how to knit but find it hard to keep count with all the distractions off a family. I just learnt to crochet and enjoy it much more.
I’m a new-comer to crochet too, and having lots of fun
Your hubby is a lucky man. I can’t wait to see the finished sweater. You found the perfect analogy with “like riding a bike”. I have a brain injury and although I forgot a lot of the names of stitches, my hands still knew how to do the actual stitch.
thanks for stopping by.