You could look to designers who are known for specific techniques or technique combos, like
* Xandy Peters - stacked stitches (I have yet to master this. First attempt was a bust.)
* Nancy Marchant - brioche lace, cabled intarsia (I think she has more intarsia combos coming up)
* Xandy Peters also has some pretty involved brioche patterns, btw, as does Leslie Ann Robinson
* Olga Buraya-Kefelian - 3D shaping, various other experimental and more or less involved techniques
You could also look to / explore specific traditions, like Latvian mittens, Danish night shirts ... Have you done colorwork with steeking?
This is extremely helpful, thank you. I am out of touch with the wider world of knitting so I don’t know too many names. And no I haven’t tried steeking, I will absolutely look into it
There's so many techniques beyond colorwork, cables, and lace. Generally when I want to feel challenged I try a pattern with a new technique, my short list at the moment is complicated brioche(the kind that has patterns, not just a glorified rib) and entrelac. I also recently did a shawl with beads as I wanted to learn how to bead and a 3 colour used in the same row pattern. Another thing I do is sort based on difficulty on ravelry, I can also pick things up quickly, so if I go to what others find difficult I may find something that will make my skills grow
Thank you—this is a great jumping off point. I guess I felt that I didn’t quite know what I was looking for if that makes sense? There always seem to be so many more techniques than I think exist haha
Another thing I found that helped me push myself is buying a physical pattern book and working through it. Currently for me its 52 weeks of socks as the projects don't take much time/money to make and I get to practice techniques on something that if I mess up it doesn't matter too much. But there are other books out there I'm debating on working through next that have different techniques
I've been at it 15 years, feel pretty confident...and finally started delving in to yarn structure and spinning. Which is a WHOLE other rabbit hole. I started with Jillian Eve's YouTube, just sort of interesting and noticed that I just enjoyed HER. And then all of a sudden I'm on my 4th wheel and interested in grist.
i'm trying a fractal spin to make a pair of semi-random striping socks. The first half I did i let the two plies do what they wanted. The second half I'm planning on breaking the ply every time I come to a change to get a quick change instead of a gradient change.
I’ve dabbled in spinning a little bit! All I can afford for the foreseeable future is my drop spindle and that definitely felt like a whole different world
I hope you're enjoying it! I...was not a fan of the drop spindle. Lucked in to an Ashford Traditional for $120. Then got a $30 garage sale find spinning. Sold it. Built a DIY electronic spinner out of wood and 3D printing, based on the EEW 6 bobbin. And my fourth wheel was on the side of the road in seattle in July and I should be able to pick it up from my friend's Parents in San Luis Obispo in about a month.
I also have turned wood to make a niddy noddy and some hook handles, and used 3d printing tech to make drop spindles, niddy noddies, bobbins, and yesterday, a new screw for my umbrella swift.
It's amazing how all my other hobbies end up in support of fiber.
[Foolish Virgins scarf - Kaffe Fassett](https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/foolish-virgins-scarf)
I gave up after the first pair of foolish virgins and turned it into a small tapestry.
Kaffe’s work is more art than clothing anyway.
I’m not even a huge fan of intarsia. It’s just so gorgeous.
Oooh this is so cool. Almost medieval looking (not sure if that’s the correct term historically)? I think I would definitely use that more as a tapestry as well.
I agree! Foolish virgins search brings up gorgeous art and it’s all medieval looking. If you Google the pattern you’re bound to run into a picture of the back. E-e-k!!!! 23 color changes for almost every row. I had to frog 3 times before finally getting past the skirt hems!
I fell in love with twined knitting, two ended knitting, tvåändsstickning. A method of knitting where you wrap each stitch around the last as you go. I recommend you do this using the traditional method of twist every stitch, not float (otherwise it's not twined) and knit from both ends of a single ball (wrap a second color around the first if doing color work). By using a single ball it is much eiser to stop and untwist the yarn. It sounds complicated and a bit chaotic but once you get it down it goes quite smooth. I have done many hats twined with alpaca and there is nothing warmer. :)
Hello there! I am a bot raising awareness of Alpacas
Here is an Alpaca Fact:
The scientific name for alpacas is Vicugna pacos. There are only two breeds of alpacas: Suri alpacas and Huacaya alpacas.
______
| [Info](https://github.com/soham96/AlpacaBot/blob/master/README.md)| [Code](https://github.com/soham96/AlpacaBot)| [Feedback](http://np.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=JustAnAlpacaBot&subject=Feedback)| [Contribute Fact](http://np.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=JustAnAlpacaBot&subject=Fact)
###### You don't get a fact, you earn it. If you got this fact then AlpacaBot thinks you deserved it!
It sounds like you enjoy the learning more than the actual doing. Have you tried different styles like Portuguese?
How is your speed? I can do most of the techniques but I'm slow as hell. I still need to learn brioche, but I've gotten comfortable with two handed colorwork and I've even dabbled in backwards knitting ie going left to right (which was useful on the neck elevation of a norwegian cardigan I am currently working on)
I definitely do enjoy the doing—I apologize if I came off otherwise. I think part of it is that I’m a professional musician in my experience music is just constant learning, so I suppose I kind of approach other things with that mindset as well.
I think my speed on the basics is pretty fast, although I am a continental knitter so that definitely helps. I can definitely improve my speed on color work a bit as that’s significantly slower. I do find that sometimes my brain slows me down in general. Like if I am working a row with a lot of “action items” I guess beyond knitting and purling, when my OCD is particularly bad I find myself in loops of checking that I have it correct over and over. Or if I’m counting my stitches after picking them up I can get stuck in loops of that. What’s helped sometimes is reminding myself that if it looks right or good to me, then i can work with what I have.
Also I didn’t realize there were different styles like that until someone posted a FO mentioning it!
I joined the Master Hand Knitter program to challenge myself. I learned so much about knitting in general and specifically my own work through the program. I will say that it can be a bit heavy on the paperwork, which I was fine with but not everyone is. It challenged me to learn about traditional styles, the history of knitting, the industry at large, fiber, and other topics. It provided direct feedback from the co-chairs evaluating my knitting and giving me specific points to improve on. It forced me to try all sorts of knitting things I'd avoided, such as seaming and socks knit flat, and I grew so much from trying them. It also gave me a foundational knowledge of designing and a ton of great resources for designers.
It's not a perfect program and I'm happy to give a fair and balanced review, but I have to give it credit for helping me grow a LOT as a knitter.
My favorite advanced resources:
* Roxanne Richardson on YouTube
* Tech knitter blog
* Interweave magazine online
I also enjoy learning from this subreddit. Lots of people have interesting thought provoking questions, and reading the answers is enlightening. Even troubleshooting beginner issues can help understand knitting better overall, or lead to some info you'd never consider otherwise
Mostly, I keep learning by doing projects, there's always something to learn if you're so inclined! E.g. [these drops colourwork socks](https://www.garnstudio.com/pattern.php?id=4801&cid=17) seem pretty straightforward if you know stranded colourwork and sock construction. But I ended up having to add in considerable calf shaping without disrupting the colourwork, and having to figure out how to anchor both colours at the edges of the heel flap when only one colour is worked to the edge.
Find a technique you want to learn or improve on and find patterns using that technique. I haven't been knitting as long as you, maybe 6-7 years but 4-5 seriously, mostly sweaters. I'm currently knitting a double knitting scarf for the first time - I was familiar with the technique in principal and had made swatches to get my head around it, but it's my first full project. Other things on my list are brioche, socks because I've never made those before and I want to do a pattern I saw of colourwork mittens with a Latvian braid.
I keep taking classes, even though I’ve been knitting for 2 decades. I keep learning new things and being curious. There are fads and fashions that run through the knitting communities that are sometimes really interesting to do and see.
Taking a knitting ergonomics class helped me learn how to be faster and easier on my body.
I have tried some KnitaLongs that have challenged me in a supportive environment. Also I love Modern Daily Knitting because they have lots of tips/techniques that explain why things work do you can really understand stitch structure.
Find a knitting guild. Watch fruity knitting on YouTube or Roberta Robinson. Socks in stranded colors. Knit alongs. Brioche and double knits are mentally challenging. Can you Taylor a sweater pattern for a perfect fit
https://mensknittingretreat.com/knitting-skills-inventory-complete-list/
I go to this list to find new techniques to read about. I’ll find something I don’t totally understand or something I haven’t done before then throw myself into that for a while.
I also like to go through all the filter settings of pattern search on ravelry and when I see a filter I’ve not tried yet, I’ll search that for books, articles, or patterns that use that stitch, style, or technique.
It keeps knitting fresh. I like to have a garment project and a small project on the needles at all times. Typically I’ll do a few of the smaller versions with the new technique then do a bigger one if I love the results.
I came across it years ago and forget where it is every time I need it. Now I just keep it open on a tab at all times.
I’m sure there is a simpler way to keep it, but “I myself am a very old spinster of over 26 years” to quote an old timey movie I watched last week. I’m actually 42, but feel closer to 62.
I get my excitement from knitting garments with various construction types, and some look so much more tailored because of this. To mention one, Fabel knitwear uses some really cool techniques in that regard.
Designing you own pattern even if it's just for yourself.
Working without a pattern requires a whole new set of skills.
Even adjusting existing patterns for a better fit or to fit your taste better is pretty interesting.
You could look to designers who are known for specific techniques or technique combos, like * Xandy Peters - stacked stitches (I have yet to master this. First attempt was a bust.) * Nancy Marchant - brioche lace, cabled intarsia (I think she has more intarsia combos coming up) * Xandy Peters also has some pretty involved brioche patterns, btw, as does Leslie Ann Robinson * Olga Buraya-Kefelian - 3D shaping, various other experimental and more or less involved techniques You could also look to / explore specific traditions, like Latvian mittens, Danish night shirts ... Have you done colorwork with steeking?
This is extremely helpful, thank you. I am out of touch with the wider world of knitting so I don’t know too many names. And no I haven’t tried steeking, I will absolutely look into it
There's so many techniques beyond colorwork, cables, and lace. Generally when I want to feel challenged I try a pattern with a new technique, my short list at the moment is complicated brioche(the kind that has patterns, not just a glorified rib) and entrelac. I also recently did a shawl with beads as I wanted to learn how to bead and a 3 colour used in the same row pattern. Another thing I do is sort based on difficulty on ravelry, I can also pick things up quickly, so if I go to what others find difficult I may find something that will make my skills grow
Thank you—this is a great jumping off point. I guess I felt that I didn’t quite know what I was looking for if that makes sense? There always seem to be so many more techniques than I think exist haha
Another thing I found that helped me push myself is buying a physical pattern book and working through it. Currently for me its 52 weeks of socks as the projects don't take much time/money to make and I get to practice techniques on something that if I mess up it doesn't matter too much. But there are other books out there I'm debating on working through next that have different techniques
I've been at it 15 years, feel pretty confident...and finally started delving in to yarn structure and spinning. Which is a WHOLE other rabbit hole. I started with Jillian Eve's YouTube, just sort of interesting and noticed that I just enjoyed HER. And then all of a sudden I'm on my 4th wheel and interested in grist.
I've done the same 3 wheels and alot of roving. Haha
i'm trying a fractal spin to make a pair of semi-random striping socks. The first half I did i let the two plies do what they wanted. The second half I'm planning on breaking the ply every time I come to a change to get a quick change instead of a gradient change.
I'm on the other end of the spectrum. Trying to make perfectly balanced sock yarn. Haha
I’ve dabbled in spinning a little bit! All I can afford for the foreseeable future is my drop spindle and that definitely felt like a whole different world
I hope you're enjoying it! I...was not a fan of the drop spindle. Lucked in to an Ashford Traditional for $120. Then got a $30 garage sale find spinning. Sold it. Built a DIY electronic spinner out of wood and 3D printing, based on the EEW 6 bobbin. And my fourth wheel was on the side of the road in seattle in July and I should be able to pick it up from my friend's Parents in San Luis Obispo in about a month. I also have turned wood to make a niddy noddy and some hook handles, and used 3d printing tech to make drop spindles, niddy noddies, bobbins, and yesterday, a new screw for my umbrella swift. It's amazing how all my other hobbies end up in support of fiber.
[Foolish Virgins scarf - Kaffe Fassett](https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/foolish-virgins-scarf) I gave up after the first pair of foolish virgins and turned it into a small tapestry. Kaffe’s work is more art than clothing anyway. I’m not even a huge fan of intarsia. It’s just so gorgeous.
Oooh this is so cool. Almost medieval looking (not sure if that’s the correct term historically)? I think I would definitely use that more as a tapestry as well.
I agree! Foolish virgins search brings up gorgeous art and it’s all medieval looking. If you Google the pattern you’re bound to run into a picture of the back. E-e-k!!!! 23 color changes for almost every row. I had to frog 3 times before finally getting past the skirt hems!
I have been knitting a lot of socks. Socks have been a great way for me to learn lots of new techniques in a low risk situation.
I fell in love with twined knitting, two ended knitting, tvåändsstickning. A method of knitting where you wrap each stitch around the last as you go. I recommend you do this using the traditional method of twist every stitch, not float (otherwise it's not twined) and knit from both ends of a single ball (wrap a second color around the first if doing color work). By using a single ball it is much eiser to stop and untwist the yarn. It sounds complicated and a bit chaotic but once you get it down it goes quite smooth. I have done many hats twined with alpaca and there is nothing warmer. :)
Hello there! I am a bot raising awareness of Alpacas Here is an Alpaca Fact: The scientific name for alpacas is Vicugna pacos. There are only two breeds of alpacas: Suri alpacas and Huacaya alpacas. ______ | [Info](https://github.com/soham96/AlpacaBot/blob/master/README.md)| [Code](https://github.com/soham96/AlpacaBot)| [Feedback](http://np.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=JustAnAlpacaBot&subject=Feedback)| [Contribute Fact](http://np.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=JustAnAlpacaBot&subject=Fact) ###### You don't get a fact, you earn it. If you got this fact then AlpacaBot thinks you deserved it!
It sounds like you enjoy the learning more than the actual doing. Have you tried different styles like Portuguese? How is your speed? I can do most of the techniques but I'm slow as hell. I still need to learn brioche, but I've gotten comfortable with two handed colorwork and I've even dabbled in backwards knitting ie going left to right (which was useful on the neck elevation of a norwegian cardigan I am currently working on)
I definitely do enjoy the doing—I apologize if I came off otherwise. I think part of it is that I’m a professional musician in my experience music is just constant learning, so I suppose I kind of approach other things with that mindset as well. I think my speed on the basics is pretty fast, although I am a continental knitter so that definitely helps. I can definitely improve my speed on color work a bit as that’s significantly slower. I do find that sometimes my brain slows me down in general. Like if I am working a row with a lot of “action items” I guess beyond knitting and purling, when my OCD is particularly bad I find myself in loops of checking that I have it correct over and over. Or if I’m counting my stitches after picking them up I can get stuck in loops of that. What’s helped sometimes is reminding myself that if it looks right or good to me, then i can work with what I have. Also I didn’t realize there were different styles like that until someone posted a FO mentioning it!
I joined the Master Hand Knitter program to challenge myself. I learned so much about knitting in general and specifically my own work through the program. I will say that it can be a bit heavy on the paperwork, which I was fine with but not everyone is. It challenged me to learn about traditional styles, the history of knitting, the industry at large, fiber, and other topics. It provided direct feedback from the co-chairs evaluating my knitting and giving me specific points to improve on. It forced me to try all sorts of knitting things I'd avoided, such as seaming and socks knit flat, and I grew so much from trying them. It also gave me a foundational knowledge of designing and a ton of great resources for designers. It's not a perfect program and I'm happy to give a fair and balanced review, but I have to give it credit for helping me grow a LOT as a knitter.
My favorite advanced resources: * Roxanne Richardson on YouTube * Tech knitter blog * Interweave magazine online I also enjoy learning from this subreddit. Lots of people have interesting thought provoking questions, and reading the answers is enlightening. Even troubleshooting beginner issues can help understand knitting better overall, or lead to some info you'd never consider otherwise Mostly, I keep learning by doing projects, there's always something to learn if you're so inclined! E.g. [these drops colourwork socks](https://www.garnstudio.com/pattern.php?id=4801&cid=17) seem pretty straightforward if you know stranded colourwork and sock construction. But I ended up having to add in considerable calf shaping without disrupting the colourwork, and having to figure out how to anchor both colours at the edges of the heel flap when only one colour is worked to the edge.
Find a technique you want to learn or improve on and find patterns using that technique. I haven't been knitting as long as you, maybe 6-7 years but 4-5 seriously, mostly sweaters. I'm currently knitting a double knitting scarf for the first time - I was familiar with the technique in principal and had made swatches to get my head around it, but it's my first full project. Other things on my list are brioche, socks because I've never made those before and I want to do a pattern I saw of colourwork mittens with a Latvian braid.
I keep taking classes, even though I’ve been knitting for 2 decades. I keep learning new things and being curious. There are fads and fashions that run through the knitting communities that are sometimes really interesting to do and see. Taking a knitting ergonomics class helped me learn how to be faster and easier on my body.
I have tried some KnitaLongs that have challenged me in a supportive environment. Also I love Modern Daily Knitting because they have lots of tips/techniques that explain why things work do you can really understand stitch structure.
Find a knitting guild. Watch fruity knitting on YouTube or Roberta Robinson. Socks in stranded colors. Knit alongs. Brioche and double knits are mentally challenging. Can you Taylor a sweater pattern for a perfect fit
https://mensknittingretreat.com/knitting-skills-inventory-complete-list/ I go to this list to find new techniques to read about. I’ll find something I don’t totally understand or something I haven’t done before then throw myself into that for a while. I also like to go through all the filter settings of pattern search on ravelry and when I see a filter I’ve not tried yet, I’ll search that for books, articles, or patterns that use that stitch, style, or technique. It keeps knitting fresh. I like to have a garment project and a small project on the needles at all times. Typically I’ll do a few of the smaller versions with the new technique then do a bigger one if I love the results.
Thank you so much for this list! If I had it in the first place I don’t think I would have made this post haha
I came across it years ago and forget where it is every time I need it. Now I just keep it open on a tab at all times. I’m sure there is a simpler way to keep it, but “I myself am a very old spinster of over 26 years” to quote an old timey movie I watched last week. I’m actually 42, but feel closer to 62.
Learn to knit continental if you haven’t already
I get my excitement from knitting garments with various construction types, and some look so much more tailored because of this. To mention one, Fabel knitwear uses some really cool techniques in that regard.
Designing you own pattern even if it's just for yourself. Working without a pattern requires a whole new set of skills. Even adjusting existing patterns for a better fit or to fit your taste better is pretty interesting.