Knitting and crochet blog week day 2- Skill +1UP

s

Today is all about new skills from the last twelve months. I read the daily description and thought "but I've just been knitting", so I went for a look through my folder of crafting photos. I realised that new skills creep in all over the place, even if you don't notice at the time.

s

I picked a lot of pictures to show the new skills, so this post is a bit hooray for me, but there are things to look at too. I have tried to list things I want to work on as well so hopefully I can look back next year and see if I managed it.

s

s

So, in the last twelve months I have:

s

Learnt to spin on a wheel. This is during a lesson, not on my own wheel. I now have a lovely Kromski Sonata. My spinning still needs a lot of work to avoid it being twisty over spun string, but I am working on that. s

s

I have even made some usable yarn.

s

s

Using up yarn leftovers in an attempt to control my stash has given an opportunity to try new skills on a small scale. This baby hat is knit in brioche stitch using Knitpicks stroll.

s

s

I had my first try at fibre preparation, going from a fleece off the sheep to a finished object. Trying different methods of washing was a definite learning experience. I found the best to be a very cold water shower followed by hot soapy water to remove the lanolin. s

s

And after washing came carding, again something I need to work on, I would like to try some wool combs as well to see the difference in method and finished object.

s

s

Sometimes it is a little skill that pops up in a pattern- these escalator socks suggest knitting into the back of the stitch(es) picked up at the top of the heel flap to help close the hole.

s

s

I have learnt a lot about dyeing yarn and fibre. Mostly by trial and error. Since I have posted about my dyeing adventures quite a bit I thought I would pick one photo to represent this. I learnt to do self striping, it involved three chairs and quite a lot of tangles. I have since seen a better way to do it using a round knitting loom so might give that a go in the future.

s

s

I tried double knitting- working two socks at the same time on dpns. One is worked inside the other and you alternate the stitches. I found it hard going and stoppped when I got about 2/3 of the way down the leg. I have read that working the outside sock inside out (so you are purling most of it) is easier, another thing to try.

s

s

My nemesis- colorwork! This is my first attempt, it came out too tight over the heel. I am determined to master this as there are so many colourwork socks out there that I would love to do. I think this will have to wait until the A-Z sock challenge is complete so I can give it lots of time.

s

s

And finally, because you never stop learning, my most recent project had two new skills- a new type of heel (the YOYO heel) and embroidery done on knitting.

s

s

Lots of new skills done, but lots of improving needed, hopefully next year I will be able to report back on that.

Thanks for visiting, and for reading my self indulgent post, I hope you are enjoying blog week.