I started knitting when a teacher continually said that girls should learn to knit and cook and had no need of college. I was incensed! I learned to knit from a friend of my mother’s and took it in to his class. When called upon to answer a question, I pulled out my knitting, said “oh, I couldn’t do the homework, I was learning to knit”. Then, smart-Alec me, I answered the question. I’ve knit ever since and really accelerated my learning and sweater accumulation during the lock down. And yes, I do have a degree in pharmacy!
I am a very introverted person who struggles with anxiety and knitting has been my saving grace.
My mother first tried to teach me to knit when I was around 6 years old, as she had learnt from her mother when she was little. (My gran was a brilliant knitter who had been knitting for nearly her whole life.) It did not work out, I would just get frustrated at how hard it was to move the needles due to my tight tension. My mom was forever trying to loosen my tension but I was a tight knitter. Eventually it was abandoned.
Move forward 5 years, when I was in 5th grade, a teacher decided to teach learners how to crochet after school if they were interested. I decided to join with a bunch of other friends, we first learnt how to chain. I really enjoyed it but the teacher kept making me rip out my chain, it was always 'too loose or too tight'. Fast forward a few lessons later I was tired of always getting my chain ripped out when my friends moved on with new projects, I decided to quit.
Covid came around 8 years later, I was now in my first year of uni looking for something to do during lockdown. I picked up the old ball of yarn and hook Ihad gotten from that old teacher, opened YouTube and started teaching myself to crochet. I started with granny squares that were going to be a blanket (the squares can be found in a box under my bed, oops). I later moved onto different projects, mostly amigurumi.
After a few months of crocheting, my gran passed away and I decided to pick up the knitting needles to try to feel closer to her. This time with YouTube, again, I started to teach myself how to knit. With some help from mostly Youtube and my mom, I knit my first sweater.
It has now been over 2 years that I've been crocheting and knitting and it is the one thing that I've fallen in love with. I am so thankful to have found this passion as I think it has saved me from my anxiety.
OMG I think that’s the first time I saw your FIRST knitting project—— it’s absolutely beautiful and amazing for a beginner—— nothing like jumping in with both feet—- you did a great job.
Got a question about the MKAL—- since Stephen and Penelope now have 50gm skeins, do you think this years shawl with be 10 or more colors? Can’t wait !!!!! And definitely looking forward to your Vlogmas because there’s Martyn every day or so!!!! Thank you !!!!!
Haha thanks Steffanie, it's definitely a special project and all the kids still have their blankets and use them often! I've got too many other things to think of before we get to MKAL season!
I like people who aren’t afraid to tackle new things. I learned to knit in high school from a friend and didn’t go beyond that scarf. When I got married we got stationed where I knew no one. I was walking down the aisle of the dime store and saw a book of knitted sampler squares for an afghan. Mind you, this is all pre internet! Cables, lace, and bobbles oh my! Unfortunately they sit because I don’t crochet. Fast forward 35 years and I’m on a trip with my non knitting cousin. Someone had given her a book to read and when she finished she gave it to me. It was about a yarn shop. New yarns came in and people were making this and that. The seed was planted so when I went to Wyoming to meet my future daughter in law I stepped into my first ever yarn shop. Not only did I get her yarn but decided I’d try knitting again. I bought yarn and pattern for a sampler scarf. When I got frustrated I got out those 40 sampler squares, amazed that I had done them, and said to myself “you can do this!”
Oh my, well I remember my mum knitting when I was growing up, the classic abundance of knitted items but my own efforts were... Unsuccessful! Even making a pompom fell to pieces (pain-staking winding, big pompom ahoy, cut.... Threads fell to the floor - yup, no thread tied at the centre 🤦♀️)
But then for reasons I forget I knitted a wrap in garter stitch. Given the yarn - a beautiful muted heathery yarn of different colours - there's every possibility I just saw the yarn in John Lewis and was seduced! I got some size 10 wooden needles, cast on an inappropriately large number of stitches (hence wrap, not scarf 🤦♀️🤣) and by February 2011 I had a big wrap! (It took maybe 6 balls).
Then, somehow, I lost the ability to cast on and knit my first row. I remember many hours on the sofa trying to do it, but whatever - my next project was cast aside.
Roll forward 5 years to autumn 2016. I was in treatment for breast cancer, about to turn 50, and a neighbour had taken up knitting. Impressed by her work, I asked if she'd help me. She helped me get started and... Off I went!
Yes, another wrap (and then another, and then a scarf for a friend) but along the way I was introduced to the sublime Knit Nottingham, our local independent yarn shop.
I now joke that at any given time, there's a really good chance that 30% of any receipts I have are for KN (another 40% are likely for my two local independent bookstores 🤦♀️)
My first garment was a lacework top pattern chosen by KN shoppers for the Yarndale uniform (a big yarn festival in Skipton, Yorkshire UK - we took a coach, it was joyful madness). 19 of us made the top in various colours, yarns, even adapted to a cardigan - with a LOT of grumping along the way as the pattern as written proved more challenging than expected, even by experienced knitters! Like you, I didn't really know it was hard because at that stage it all felt hard, but exciting.
I love my world of knitting and crochet. There's so much still to learn and try.
There's something special about a local yarn shop isn't there! Thanks for sharing your story and great you had a supportive friend at the time to help you too. My receipts would probably say a similar thing haha
I learned to crochet in the school yard, and started with big granny square blankets. My maternal grandmother taught me the basics of knitting, then I taught myself mostly from magazines and books back then. I love to learn knew things and improve my technique by watching YouTube videos, how lucky are we. I knit or crochet everyday, always have my knitting with me. I find it relaxing and meditative. I love your videos Martyn.
Hello, how lovely to meet you and hear about how you came to be a knitter. I am sure your Bampy would be so proud! I love to knit but I’m in awe of your Toft creations. I tried making the sheep. It did not go well 😂
I still have to think about some of the crochet techniques but I love that Toft have a number of videos on YouTube so there's always help available. If you ever decide to try another one let me know, I'd be happy to help.
I taught myself to knit whilst waiting for police checks so I could start my first job. Back then it involved books from the library to guide me. Like you I had no idea what was hard or easy so I chose to make what I liked. An Aran jumper! I still own it today some 35 years later! A living memory that anything is possible if you believe it enough!
My grandma taught me to knit when I was little but I taught myself to crochet about 8 years ago and that took over, however I have recently rekindled my knitting education, now enjoying both….plus pattern buying and yarn collecting for multiple projects I may or may not get round to in the next 5-10 years 😂
I learnt to knit as a child, we learnt at school and also my Mum helped. I learnt to crochet as an adult when my third child was born so I could crochet her dresses. I am now in my 80s and my goal is to learn to crochet toys in the hope great grandchildren arrive in the not too distant future 😊
I learned to knit when I was around 7 years old. There was a tiny history museum and the woman who ran it taught me. Now, I can do the basics without looking at my hands. This year, I had planned to try to learn to crochet more than just a chain, but 2 problems arose. 1) I'm left handed so I have to flip everything. 2) A family death took priority this year so I don't have the mental energy for something new. I need the relaxation knitting has since it's so familiar.
I'm learning to embrace doing it without knitting and have a jumper with Aran wool and size 5mm needles that is my cinema project... scary at first but fun to knit in the dark!
I'm left handed but when I learnt I didn't know there was a difference so I actually crochet like a right handed person and hold my hook in my right hand.
I wished whoever taught me to hold a crochet hook had taught me to do right handed. I'd have a much easier time trying to learn. It just feels too weird to hold in my right as I've always used my left hand.
Hello! I saw some folks crocheting hats in college. I decided I wanted to learn. It looked fun, and it was something my grandma Shafer did, and I have always thought she was awesome. I got some yarn, a hook, and a book from the library. One scarf later, and I was crocheting blankets. Later, I saw an Interweave crochet magazine and I realized I could crochet all kinds of things. Then, my mom passed away, and I decided to teach myself to knit. Needles, yarn, a Stitch N’ Bitch learn to knit books, and off I went.
They’re pretty fun, and in a way, easier than knitting them. You don’t have to mess with dpns or magic loop. Although, my first crocheted hat was supposed to fit an adult, and when I was done, would barely fit a baby. It took me a bit to figure it out.
My Nana taught me to crochet but despite hours and hours of frustration, neither she nor my mother could get me to understand how to knit. We went on a family holiday to Tenby when I was about 9 and whilst I was in the hotel a lovely Indian lady not only taught me how to knit, but also how to count up to 100 in Welsh…..
Now, I’m a knitting, spinning, crocheting crafter - although like you, flat crochet can drive me quietly insane….
I'm a novice spinner... I've spun a very small braid on a drop spindle but find there are so many other projects to work on I've not really made much progress!
Hi Martyn. You got me thinking about my craft journey. I've always wanted to make things. Not many in my family do, but my husband's family are avid stitchers from way back. I learned the basic knit/purl when I was young but couldn't cast on, so it didn't take. I taught myself to crochet at about 13 after watching my Nana. I bought a kit that had both knit and crochet instructions for a ripple afghan. I still have that pattern page. I'm sure my mom thought I was crazy and would never finish. My Nana was so proud when I showed her my finished blanket. After a billion of these over the years, I can do the pattern in my sleep. I tried Crewel and embroidery - meh. Then I took a quilting class at about age 22. That was the first real passion. I was a quilter who sometimes knit/crocheted as something different to do with her hands (I hand quilted). I also picked up Counted Cross Stitch along the way. Fast forward about 25 - 30 years and I decided I wanted to know how to really knit. REALLY knit. I knew that it had to be possible to make a sweater that didn't look handmade and fit. And colorwork mittens, how hard could those be? So, I dove in. I found Ravelry and that really helped get me going. There was an entire world out there of people who knit. Who knew? That evolved into other media. Somehow, I found Knit365 (I remember your 1000 follower giveaway - look at you now!) and others that I can't miss each week. Meanwhile, my mother-in-law passed away in 2020. She had a room of needlework projects. A room. An entire room! You couldn't walk in there, so I never really knew what she had. My sister-in-law and I have gone through it and shared all the things we wanted, then donated the rest to her stitching group. I took her unfinished work. I learned canvas work (like needlepoint) and have finished 4 of her pieces. It's been fun learning and following her notes. So today I can say I am a Knitter, Quilter and Stitcher. I still pick up my knitting every day. It is most relaxing to me. Thanks for sharing your story and giving me space to share mine.
Ahhh thanks for being around since the early days, I remember being blown away when I hit 1000! Thanks for sharing your story, I loved hearing about how you made your Nana proud!
I learned the basic from my grandmother but she had not the patience. So my grandfather is the one who tought me the magie of knitting. His passion was knitting socks, so for the longest time I only knitted socks. Then in the '80's I knitted all the sweaters from magazine's with crunchy plastic acryl yarns. Then came the baby's so I knitted a lot of baby and children stuff. Also in that time I started with chrochet, spinning, macrame and cross stich. So both of my grandparents are the inspiratie of my passion.
My great grandma & my nan taught me to knit when I was little but it never came easily to me. Over the years I made the occasional item for babies and my niece but it was slow and often traumatic.
I taught myself to crochet about 10 years ago and fell in love (read addicted) with it but didn't pick up knitting again.
I became aware of Stephen West in 2021 and decided to join in with the MKAL. Same as you, I didn't know to be scared of brioche or i-cords - I just followed the instructions. And i fell hook line & sinker for knitting!
I found Irina by looking for Stephen's interview and that then lead me to you and to wider knitting youtube. I was a crocheter who knitted but I think over the last two years I may have become completely bistitchual if not a knitter who crochets!
Thanks for a lovely message Sarah, your reaction to the MKAL is the same as mine as I mentioned in the post, its great to be able to find like minded crafters all working on the same project.
I started knitting when a teacher continually said that girls should learn to knit and cook and had no need of college. I was incensed! I learned to knit from a friend of my mother’s and took it in to his class. When called upon to answer a question, I pulled out my knitting, said “oh, I couldn’t do the homework, I was learning to knit”. Then, smart-Alec me, I answered the question. I’ve knit ever since and really accelerated my learning and sweater accumulation during the lock down. And yes, I do have a degree in pharmacy!
Haha I love that defiant attitude!
I am a very introverted person who struggles with anxiety and knitting has been my saving grace.
My mother first tried to teach me to knit when I was around 6 years old, as she had learnt from her mother when she was little. (My gran was a brilliant knitter who had been knitting for nearly her whole life.) It did not work out, I would just get frustrated at how hard it was to move the needles due to my tight tension. My mom was forever trying to loosen my tension but I was a tight knitter. Eventually it was abandoned.
Move forward 5 years, when I was in 5th grade, a teacher decided to teach learners how to crochet after school if they were interested. I decided to join with a bunch of other friends, we first learnt how to chain. I really enjoyed it but the teacher kept making me rip out my chain, it was always 'too loose or too tight'. Fast forward a few lessons later I was tired of always getting my chain ripped out when my friends moved on with new projects, I decided to quit.
Covid came around 8 years later, I was now in my first year of uni looking for something to do during lockdown. I picked up the old ball of yarn and hook Ihad gotten from that old teacher, opened YouTube and started teaching myself to crochet. I started with granny squares that were going to be a blanket (the squares can be found in a box under my bed, oops). I later moved onto different projects, mostly amigurumi.
After a few months of crocheting, my gran passed away and I decided to pick up the knitting needles to try to feel closer to her. This time with YouTube, again, I started to teach myself how to knit. With some help from mostly Youtube and my mom, I knit my first sweater.
It has now been over 2 years that I've been crocheting and knitting and it is the one thing that I've fallen in love with. I am so thankful to have found this passion as I think it has saved me from my anxiety.
Thanks for sharing your story, I love that we have similar starts with YouTubes to be closer to relatives.
OMG I think that’s the first time I saw your FIRST knitting project—— it’s absolutely beautiful and amazing for a beginner—— nothing like jumping in with both feet—- you did a great job.
Got a question about the MKAL—- since Stephen and Penelope now have 50gm skeins, do you think this years shawl with be 10 or more colors? Can’t wait !!!!! And definitely looking forward to your Vlogmas because there’s Martyn every day or so!!!! Thank you !!!!!
Haha thanks Steffanie, it's definitely a special project and all the kids still have their blankets and use them often! I've got too many other things to think of before we get to MKAL season!
I like people who aren’t afraid to tackle new things. I learned to knit in high school from a friend and didn’t go beyond that scarf. When I got married we got stationed where I knew no one. I was walking down the aisle of the dime store and saw a book of knitted sampler squares for an afghan. Mind you, this is all pre internet! Cables, lace, and bobbles oh my! Unfortunately they sit because I don’t crochet. Fast forward 35 years and I’m on a trip with my non knitting cousin. Someone had given her a book to read and when she finished she gave it to me. It was about a yarn shop. New yarns came in and people were making this and that. The seed was planted so when I went to Wyoming to meet my future daughter in law I stepped into my first ever yarn shop. Not only did I get her yarn but decided I’d try knitting again. I bought yarn and pattern for a sampler scarf. When I got frustrated I got out those 40 sampler squares, amazed that I had done them, and said to myself “you can do this!”
That's great to hear your story and you'll always have the samplers to look back on for your own story!
Oh my, well I remember my mum knitting when I was growing up, the classic abundance of knitted items but my own efforts were... Unsuccessful! Even making a pompom fell to pieces (pain-staking winding, big pompom ahoy, cut.... Threads fell to the floor - yup, no thread tied at the centre 🤦♀️)
But then for reasons I forget I knitted a wrap in garter stitch. Given the yarn - a beautiful muted heathery yarn of different colours - there's every possibility I just saw the yarn in John Lewis and was seduced! I got some size 10 wooden needles, cast on an inappropriately large number of stitches (hence wrap, not scarf 🤦♀️🤣) and by February 2011 I had a big wrap! (It took maybe 6 balls).
Then, somehow, I lost the ability to cast on and knit my first row. I remember many hours on the sofa trying to do it, but whatever - my next project was cast aside.
Roll forward 5 years to autumn 2016. I was in treatment for breast cancer, about to turn 50, and a neighbour had taken up knitting. Impressed by her work, I asked if she'd help me. She helped me get started and... Off I went!
Yes, another wrap (and then another, and then a scarf for a friend) but along the way I was introduced to the sublime Knit Nottingham, our local independent yarn shop.
I now joke that at any given time, there's a really good chance that 30% of any receipts I have are for KN (another 40% are likely for my two local independent bookstores 🤦♀️)
My first garment was a lacework top pattern chosen by KN shoppers for the Yarndale uniform (a big yarn festival in Skipton, Yorkshire UK - we took a coach, it was joyful madness). 19 of us made the top in various colours, yarns, even adapted to a cardigan - with a LOT of grumping along the way as the pattern as written proved more challenging than expected, even by experienced knitters! Like you, I didn't really know it was hard because at that stage it all felt hard, but exciting.
I love my world of knitting and crochet. There's so much still to learn and try.
(Sorry, like you, I lack brevity!)
There's something special about a local yarn shop isn't there! Thanks for sharing your story and great you had a supportive friend at the time to help you too. My receipts would probably say a similar thing haha
I learned to crochet in the school yard, and started with big granny square blankets. My maternal grandmother taught me the basics of knitting, then I taught myself mostly from magazines and books back then. I love to learn knew things and improve my technique by watching YouTube videos, how lucky are we. I knit or crochet everyday, always have my knitting with me. I find it relaxing and meditative. I love your videos Martyn.
I love the idea of beginners starting with granny squares, so much quicker and more practical than a knitted scarf!
Hello, how lovely to meet you and hear about how you came to be a knitter. I am sure your Bampy would be so proud! I love to knit but I’m in awe of your Toft creations. I tried making the sheep. It did not go well 😂
I still have to think about some of the crochet techniques but I love that Toft have a number of videos on YouTube so there's always help available. If you ever decide to try another one let me know, I'd be happy to help.
I taught myself to knit whilst waiting for police checks so I could start my first job. Back then it involved books from the library to guide me. Like you I had no idea what was hard or easy so I chose to make what I liked. An Aran jumper! I still own it today some 35 years later! A living memory that anything is possible if you believe it enough!
What a great first project, it's definitely something we should all embrace and not worry about difficulty!
My grandma taught me to knit when I was little but I taught myself to crochet about 8 years ago and that took over, however I have recently rekindled my knitting education, now enjoying both….plus pattern buying and yarn collecting for multiple projects I may or may not get round to in the next 5-10 years 😂
Oh buying wool is a completely different hobby to using it haha
I learnt to knit as a child, we learnt at school and also my Mum helped. I learnt to crochet as an adult when my third child was born so I could crochet her dresses. I am now in my 80s and my goal is to learn to crochet toys in the hope great grandchildren arrive in the not too distant future 😊
If you ever need a pattern I wouldn't hesitate in recommending the Toft creations to you, so great for beginners!
I learned to knit when I was around 7 years old. There was a tiny history museum and the woman who ran it taught me. Now, I can do the basics without looking at my hands. This year, I had planned to try to learn to crochet more than just a chain, but 2 problems arose. 1) I'm left handed so I have to flip everything. 2) A family death took priority this year so I don't have the mental energy for something new. I need the relaxation knitting has since it's so familiar.
I'm learning to embrace doing it without knitting and have a jumper with Aran wool and size 5mm needles that is my cinema project... scary at first but fun to knit in the dark!
I'm left handed but when I learnt I didn't know there was a difference so I actually crochet like a right handed person and hold my hook in my right hand.
I wished whoever taught me to hold a crochet hook had taught me to do right handed. I'd have a much easier time trying to learn. It just feels too weird to hold in my right as I've always used my left hand.
Hello! I saw some folks crocheting hats in college. I decided I wanted to learn. It looked fun, and it was something my grandma Shafer did, and I have always thought she was awesome. I got some yarn, a hook, and a book from the library. One scarf later, and I was crocheting blankets. Later, I saw an Interweave crochet magazine and I realized I could crochet all kinds of things. Then, my mom passed away, and I decided to teach myself to knit. Needles, yarn, a Stitch N’ Bitch learn to knit books, and off I went.
I've never crocheted a hat (at least I don't immediately recall doing one!) so that might be a fun project to add to my queue.
They’re pretty fun, and in a way, easier than knitting them. You don’t have to mess with dpns or magic loop. Although, my first crocheted hat was supposed to fit an adult, and when I was done, would barely fit a baby. It took me a bit to figure it out.
My Nana taught me to crochet but despite hours and hours of frustration, neither she nor my mother could get me to understand how to knit. We went on a family holiday to Tenby when I was about 9 and whilst I was in the hotel a lovely Indian lady not only taught me how to knit, but also how to count up to 100 in Welsh…..
Now, I’m a knitting, spinning, crocheting crafter - although like you, flat crochet can drive me quietly insane….
I'm a novice spinner... I've spun a very small braid on a drop spindle but find there are so many other projects to work on I've not really made much progress!
I like the portability of a drop spindle - great for when you're stuck in a queue and you can't really whip out a WIP.....
Hi Martyn. You got me thinking about my craft journey. I've always wanted to make things. Not many in my family do, but my husband's family are avid stitchers from way back. I learned the basic knit/purl when I was young but couldn't cast on, so it didn't take. I taught myself to crochet at about 13 after watching my Nana. I bought a kit that had both knit and crochet instructions for a ripple afghan. I still have that pattern page. I'm sure my mom thought I was crazy and would never finish. My Nana was so proud when I showed her my finished blanket. After a billion of these over the years, I can do the pattern in my sleep. I tried Crewel and embroidery - meh. Then I took a quilting class at about age 22. That was the first real passion. I was a quilter who sometimes knit/crocheted as something different to do with her hands (I hand quilted). I also picked up Counted Cross Stitch along the way. Fast forward about 25 - 30 years and I decided I wanted to know how to really knit. REALLY knit. I knew that it had to be possible to make a sweater that didn't look handmade and fit. And colorwork mittens, how hard could those be? So, I dove in. I found Ravelry and that really helped get me going. There was an entire world out there of people who knit. Who knew? That evolved into other media. Somehow, I found Knit365 (I remember your 1000 follower giveaway - look at you now!) and others that I can't miss each week. Meanwhile, my mother-in-law passed away in 2020. She had a room of needlework projects. A room. An entire room! You couldn't walk in there, so I never really knew what she had. My sister-in-law and I have gone through it and shared all the things we wanted, then donated the rest to her stitching group. I took her unfinished work. I learned canvas work (like needlepoint) and have finished 4 of her pieces. It's been fun learning and following her notes. So today I can say I am a Knitter, Quilter and Stitcher. I still pick up my knitting every day. It is most relaxing to me. Thanks for sharing your story and giving me space to share mine.
Ahhh thanks for being around since the early days, I remember being blown away when I hit 1000! Thanks for sharing your story, I loved hearing about how you made your Nana proud!
I learned the basic from my grandmother but she had not the patience. So my grandfather is the one who tought me the magie of knitting. His passion was knitting socks, so for the longest time I only knitted socks. Then in the '80's I knitted all the sweaters from magazine's with crunchy plastic acryl yarns. Then came the baby's so I knitted a lot of baby and children stuff. Also in that time I started with chrochet, spinning, macrame and cross stich. So both of my grandparents are the inspiratie of my passion.
I love that we were both taught or inspired by our grandfathers!
Lovely post Martyn.
My great grandma & my nan taught me to knit when I was little but it never came easily to me. Over the years I made the occasional item for babies and my niece but it was slow and often traumatic.
I taught myself to crochet about 10 years ago and fell in love (read addicted) with it but didn't pick up knitting again.
I became aware of Stephen West in 2021 and decided to join in with the MKAL. Same as you, I didn't know to be scared of brioche or i-cords - I just followed the instructions. And i fell hook line & sinker for knitting!
I found Irina by looking for Stephen's interview and that then lead me to you and to wider knitting youtube. I was a crocheter who knitted but I think over the last two years I may have become completely bistitchual if not a knitter who crochets!
Thank you for #knit365 in all its forms
Thanks for a lovely message Sarah, your reaction to the MKAL is the same as mine as I mentioned in the post, its great to be able to find like minded crafters all working on the same project.