Knitting Resolutions-3 Steps to Improve Your Knitting Technique This Year

The beginning of the year is a great time to think about knitting skills that you would like to improve this year, set goals, and make a plan to meet those goals! Here are some ideas to help you set your New Year's knitting resolutions.

1. Take a class
   
   Many local yarn stores offer classes, and this can be a great way to meet other knitters and get help when you hit a knitting snafu. Stop by your local yarn store and see what they will be teaching this year.
   
   If you don't have a local yarn store or prefer the flexibility of a correspondence course, there are options for you, too. The Knitting Guild Association has classes by mail, with online support. They offer a class for the truly beginning knitter, which can be taken by anyone, whether they are a member of the guild or not. For guild members, there are courses on Basic Knitting, Mosaic Knitting, and Finishing Garments.
   
   If you are really ready to make your knitting the best it can be, you can sign up for the TKGA Master Knitter Program. There are three levels of the Master Knitter Program, each with its own swatches and projects to complete. In the last level you will be designing then knitting up your own pattern for a sweater and hat (one being aran, and one fair isle). If you complete this program, you will have a thorough understanding of various knitting methods and be part of just a small group of Master Knitters.
    
2. Plan some challenging projects.
   
   What new skills would you like to learn? Don't be afraid, just choose a simple project using those techniques and start knitting. Whether it be knitting in the round, entrelac, mosaic knitting, intarsia, multi color knitting, shadow knitting or lace knitting, now is the time to take that first step toward some beautiful knitted objects made by you.
   
   One way to try some of these new techniques is making an afghan using Barbara Walker's Learn to Knit Afghan book. This unique project has you learning new skills as you make each square, then assembling the squares into an afghan. There are many great and inspiring knitting books -- check the knitting section your local library for projects that will expand your knitting needle's repertoire.
    
3. Knit everywhere, all the time.
   
   One of the great difficulties of improving your knitting skills can be lack of time. So make a plan now that will help you meet your goals. Small, simple projects can be made while you are out and about on the bus, in a car, in the doctor's office or at a restaurant. More complicated projects can be knit while you watch TV or to wind down before bedtime.
   
   It can help to have multiple projects suitable for different places or moods. I was always scared to start a new project before I finished the old, for fear that I would never finish anything! But I am now beginning to understand that having several projects on the needles gives me more options, which translates into more time knitting, and more finished objects.

After you decide on your New Year's Knitting Resolutions, I'd love to hear about them. Come on over to the forum, and tell us about them.

Cast on, knitting friends!

~Theresa Lansberry

Theresa Lansberry is primary knitter for James (her husband of 11 years, and counting), her six children, and Einstein the hairless dog. She obsesses about knitting in the heartland of America, Peoria, IL.