Knitting Maxims, Myths and Personal Rules

Have you ever noticed that common maxims that are true often have an opposite that is also true? 

Look before you leap versus he who hesitates is lost.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder versus out of sight out of mind. 

Deeper analysis tells us that while both are true we often need to look more closely to understand why that is the case.

As an example this quote: "Absence diminishes mediocre passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans fires." Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Here's my list of knitting maxims, myths and personal rules that I hear frequently. The personal rules are the most dangerous, leading to many a knitting disaster. You will notice a few that are exact opposites. When you are having trouble with your knitting projects you might want to rethink some of these, especially the personal rules.

I don't need to do a swatch. I have perfect gauge.

Row gauge doesn't matter. 

Row gauge is critical to success.

But I'm always a size "X"!

Only old ladies knit.

Only cool young hipsters knit.

That you will be the only knitter in the world that can make stocking stitch edges that will not roll.

Yes - I can knit that item in the (extremely short) specified time. 

Knitting is easy.

Knitting is hard.

You must hold your needles in the correct way.

There is no one single way to hold your needles.

I only knit with....(fill in the blank with a needle type or yarn).

You must complete every project.

You must abandon projects that aren't working.

Hard Work is it's Own Best Reward

The last year has proved the truth of  the title of this post over and over again to me. It's been a year of phenomenal personal growth. I've worked (played with yarn) many more hours a day than any other time in my life. I'm so focused on knitting, designing and teaching that I dream about it almost every night. 

I'm also very surprised to discover that I'm a writer as well. I started this blog as a way of tracking my progress since leaving the corporate world. Now I catch myself writing posts in my head and I rarely go anywhere with out a pen and notepad to jot down blog topics and design ideas as they occur to me. 

This quote proved to be very illuminating to me. "A writer writes not because he is educated but because he is driven by the need to communicate. Behind the need to communicate is the need to share. Behind the need to share is the need to be understood." Leo Rosten

I think the sharing part is what's driving me most right now.

My reading has changed as well, about half of it is now business related. I still love my mysteries and I can hardly wait for my library to get the newest just published Inspector Wexford. I'm working my way concurrently through (in order) Miss Marple, and Poirot. Since I'm almost done with Wexford I'm starting Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse from the beginning. The nonfiction part of my reading varies widely from lots of knitting technique materials to positive psychology, fashion, marketing and any other topic that piques my interest. 


What are you reading, any good suggestions?

A Field Guide to Knitters Part 4

Knit Picks Project Bags

Part 1 is here. Part 2 is here. Part 3 is here.

Fashion Knitters (Effingo knitcreo)

Description 

Fashion Knitters typically focus on knitting accessories and garments. They prefer their projects to be mainstream but slightly unique with an "edge". They have little interest in home decor projects or knitting for children or babies. Colour choice is carefully considered as they must have something in their closet that the knitting will worn with. Their closets and drawers are often over stuffed with clothing and accessories. They are likely to employ specific closet strategies, either grouping by colour or garment type to assist them in finding specific items in their vast wardrobes. Those who live in large urban areas wear a lot of black. They frequently wear matching accessories. The fit and flattery of every project is assessed and modified as necessary for the individual.Their knitting magazine numbers rival only their stash of fashion magazines

Habitat and range

Fashion Knitters are likely to be found watching "What not to Wear". They shop everywhere assessing high end and low end sources for upcoming trends.They love going to movies that are costume dramas as they know next seasons runway fashions will be impacted if the movie is a hit.

Vocalizations

This Knitter often answers to the name "Fashionista". They always understand phrases like "zebra is the new leopard." Fashion magazines provide updates about the latest trends that are discussed in groups of fashion Knitters.

Social Knitters (Amicabiliter knitcreo)

Description 

Some variates of this Knitter only knit at social gatherings. They will pull out the same pair of socks at every grouping because they don't knit at any other time. The other more common variety is an obsessive Knitter who has a different project at every occasion. They are usually working on multiple projects, as not all are suitable to carry away from home. Socks are a common carry around project due to their small size. They are frequently seen carrying double pointed knitting needles tubes.

Habitat and range

These Knitters are often observed at coffee shops, yarn stores and guild meetings. In Toronto they have an annual subway Knit-a-long event. You can learn more here.

Vocalizations
Social Knitters have vocalizations common to all Knitters; what are you making, where did you get the yarn, what's the fibre? Most can list off all of the items on the Knit Picks travel and storage section by heart. The merits of the various knitting bags are often debated and most of these Knitters own many types.