It is not difficult to learn to knit and to learn properly, in my opinion means that you also learn the purl stitch. Some knitters never move to the purl stitch, yet it is so easy and really expands your creativity. Be fearless when you are learning because if you can learn one half of the stitching, you can certainly learn to do the backside knitting as well. Learning the knit stitch and the purl stitch will open up your world of knitting possibilities.

When I began knitting I decided that each of my initial projects would include something new to add to my tool box. My first scarf was a collection of knits and purls that became a checkerboard pattern at each end of the scarf. The second scarf I made had one big beautiful cable running through it.

"Pacific Northwest" by
Fiber Trends

The third project I knitted was insane! I picked out a beautiful shawl pattern called "Pacific Northwest" by Fiber Trends. I fell in love with this beautiful shawl and wanted to make it for my mother-in-law. I picked out a beautiful merino wool and silk lace weight yarn and asked the woman at my local yarn shop if she thought I could handle this. She told me I shouldn't take this on just yet...so I did!!

This shawl started with a crocheted cast on and had several lace stitches that I had never heard of. It took me nine months, I started over and over, and I had to learn how to gauge the yarn properly because I had one large skein of yarn and I

Stitch Detail

wasn't willing to buy a second since the cost was prohibitive. That shawl was knitted up perfectly! Mainly because I didn't know how to fix an error on lace, so I had no choice but to take my time and do it right, but this made me FEARLESS!!

Don't be afraid to rip out and start over; it will make you a better knitter. Start simply, practice your stitches and then find a project that will help you build on your skills.