Yep, it’s finally done. It took me about 9 months to knit, but it was well worth it. My big lesson from this project was that all the fancy knitting I’ve seen over the years but was afraid to attempt probably wasn’t as difficult as I imagined it would be.
The project is from Barbara Walker’s, Learn To Knit Afghan Book. It’s a nice way to increase your knitting expertise, and you get a product at the end of all your hard work. You can see more details on Ravelry (I’m HawaiiHooker). I decided to give it to my cousin, Delores, for her 80th birthday. She really loves it, so I’m happy.
Ok, now it’s back to crocheting full time. I’m working on an easy afghan for one of my daughter’s friends, so I’ll try to keep you up to date on my progress (if I can get out of this “I don’t feel like writing” slump).
Pattern Tips UPDATE: 7/28/09
Sarah, who’s just getting started on her afghan, posted a comment asking me to suggest any instructions or pattern tips that would help her on her journey. Yes, I do have a few tips.
- The best tip I can give is to enjoy the process. I don’t knit that much, and when I do it’s usually small projects, so completing a square gave me a sense of accomplishment without needing to hurry up and get the whole thing done.
- I was also looking forward to learning new knitting skills, so that made it fun for me.
- What made it a little easier to follow the pattern instructions was making a photocopy of each pattern and putting it in a see-through sheet protector. Trying to knit from the book was awkward. And I could carry the one or two pages with me if I went out with my knitting.
- I also put highlighter tape on each line of instruction to help me keep my place in the pattern row.
- The lace patterns were the hardest for me, only because I kept loosing my place in the row of instructions. So I wrote each line of instruction vertically on a piece of paper, one step per line. For example, I would rewrite “yo, k1, yo” as “yo” on one line, “k1” on the next line, “yo” on the third line. For some reason, it was easier to follow than reading horizontal instructions.
I hope this helps, Sarah. Thanks for stopping by!
12 comments On Barbara Walker “Learn To Knit” Afghan Completed
what an accomplishment – it’s beautiful! and i love the colorway you’ve chosen. your cousin is so lucky!
Thanks, Debbie! Glad you like it.
Hope all is well with you and your family! We miss you at the Wednesday night “sit and stitch.”
My favorite colors and absolutley gorgeous! If you cant find a place for it send it my way. WA state is always cool enough for an afgan.
sue
Hi Sue! Glad you like it! I’m a real purple person so that color tends to occur frequently in my projects. My cuz has the aghan and she loves it! If you knit, you should try one of your own. Thanks for stopping by.
Congratulations from someone who is just at Square One! Do you have any instructions or pattern tips to aid me in my journey?
Hi Sarah! Thanks for stopping by. I’m going to update this post to include some tips for you.
Congratulations – it’s GORGEOUS!!! And yep – the knitting really is a breeze – you just have to follow the instructions!
Hey Claudia! Thanks! Just about all of it was pretty easy to do. I’m actually doing a little charity knitting right now. I needed a break from crocheting afghans, but I’m sure I’ll be back at it soon. Thanks for stopping by! Hope all is well with you.
Hi there-
I just splurged and bought Barbara Walker’s book for myself to work on my improving knitting.
I was pleased to find your webpage, and follow this thread. I taught myself to knit a few years ago, and I’d like to learn crochet also. Love your afgan!
Robyn in central Ohio
Hey Robin, thanks for stopping by!! Please keep me up to date on your progress knitting this afghan. I enjoyed knitting it and learned a lot to boot. It would be cool if there was a “Learn to Crochet” afghan out there. I’m sure a little bit of Google research will turn something up something like it. Good luck!
I love this Patrice, it’s beautiful! My room is turquoise and white with yellow accents, I’d love to try those colors. It sounds less daunting to work with individual squares. Let’s see if I finish my scarf. You also gave me a great idea with the charity knitting. Once my son’s trainwreck is over, that’s something I would love to try. Take care.
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