“Actually, I’m learning to knit.”

As I spoke the words to the very kind (very polite) gentleman who inquired about my recent projects, I surprised myself. I’ve NEVER been interested in knitting.

Knitting requires you to sit still. It requires patience. It requires repetition. This is all very challenging for me.

Yet, here I am… writing, with yarn and needles by my side. It’s weird… and relaxing…

I mentioned my friend, Cristy, in a previous post. She is new to knitting and I have witnessed her skills evolve at lightning speed. Watching her has been very inspiring.

I’ve found myself saying, over and over again, “You made that?!”

I want in.

So, I talked my mother into teaching me the basics over the holidays and I’ve been experimenting ever since.

Check it out. I made a fuzzy, warm headband…

And a scarf…

Cristy and I have registered for a 12-month afghan class, based on the book, Building Blocks by Michelle Hunter. We’ll be learning one new technique every month and tasked with one 12″ x 12″ square. By the end of the year, we’ll have completed an entire blanket.

I think this is a great introduction to knitting (and it won’t require all of my extra attention).

I’ll be sure to share my progress along the way.

If you’re interested in a project like this, Michelle’s video tutorials are online on her site, KnitPurlHunter.com.

Another amazing tutorial resource that I’ve discovered is New Stitch A Day. Johnny’s videos are stellar. So easy to understand and follow along. This is the video that inspired my scarf:

Tell me. Do you knit? What resources can you recommend? I’m pinning what inspires me here.

Knitting. A new challenge for a new year. Whodathunkit?