My New Hobby -- Knitting!

(photo: my current project -- baby blankie of my own design -- Stockinette on an angle)

A few years ago, I was reading a Mary Hunt article on spending and saving and it inspired me to pick up (of all things) the art of knitting.

In the article she was saying that knitting has only two stitches: knit and purl. Well, I thought that I should surely be able to handle two simple stitches. After all, I had learned to crochet when I was only seven, so how hard could this really be? I'd tried it in the past and failed miserably, but this time I was determined.

The first thing I did was spend about twenty bucks at the local craft store for a “teach yourself to knit” kit. It took a few tries to get it figured out, but finally, I managed to do it! At this point, I had quite a bit of scrap yarn here and there (as I mentioned, I've crocheted for years), so I didn't have to plunk down any more than the initial twenty dollars for the learning kit. Using said scrap yarn, I made a tiny scarf for a teddy bear and went from there. Next, I made a small blanket that I use for my daycare babies. I learned from those projects that knitting in certain stitches causes curling. I decided to keep at it, and using a pattern from a local craft store (and not especially cheap yarn -- do not try this at home), I made a lapghan (aka. miniature afghan) in a weekend when my husband, Dave, and I had a little getaway planned. This was especially thrilling, and the knitting bug has been firmly implanted in my heart ever since. I wouldn't say I am great at it, but that hasn't made it any less enjoyable for me.

I strongly encourage you to consider learning this time honored craft (and/or crochet, which I found easier to pick up). Should you choose to accept this mission, here are some ways to keep it from costing you a fortune.

I. Never buy a pattern unless it's something really unique. The web has possibly hundreds of thousands of free patterns out there for the taking. Many committed artisans happily share their discoveries for nothing more than a few minutes on their sites. I recommend searching the words “free knit pattern” for starters and go from there. In addition, you can get lots of free patterns right at the craft store. On the yarn bins, you'll see little pads of them hanging all over the place. If you aren't sure what to look for, feel free to ask a sales associate and they will cheerfully assist you in finding free resources like these. And, of course, check your local library. I have checked out probably at least fifty knitting pattern and stitch books, just to learn as much as I could about the craft; what techniques I would like to try, and pitfalls to avoid.

II. Yarn and supplies can be expensive, so I've learned a few ways to keep spending for my knitting hobby from getting out of control.

1. Accept freebies: friends and relatives frequently have skeins of yarn tucked away from some unfinished (or un-started) project that they would love for someone to be able to enjoy. Chances are, they probably have a nice pattern or book to go along with it, so feel free to send out a mass email and ask.

2. Hit garage sales and thrift stores. Many a kind person has donated unused items of this nature to the greater good. Take advantage of it and keep your eyes peeled. You may want to really save time and just ask at the front if the sales associate is aware of any supplies for sale in the store. I once happened on a huge cache of extra long knitting needles complete with storage case for less than fifteen bucks! The retail value of this find was well beyond two hundred dollars.

3. Don't rush out to buy your needles at high retail prices. Like yarn and patterns, many knit and crochet needles find their way to a resale store or garage sale, so a little patience will serve you well. If you're looking for a specific size, post on craigslist or check Ebay, Amazon, etcetera – and again, ask friends, family, and neighbors. Remember that people also donate all sorts of other notions like stitch markers. Patience on this will be your best ally in obtaining supplies. Also, try to adapt a pattern to a needle size you already own using the gauge at the beginning of the pattern.

4. Think twice before purchasing anything. Just because something is not retail price does not mean that you will use it. Remember the knitting needles I found? Well, I didn't need two dozen sets of extra long knitting needles, so – while it was a steal of a price – I let that deal go to someone who could really use it. I thought of it as an act of kindness not to buy them which helped me avoid feeling like I'd missed out on a great deal. I have not regretted passing them up for a moment. Instead, as mentioned above, I have been able to use my single set of extra long needles and adapt for my purposes. Since this is one of my hobbies, and not a source of income for me, I choose not to make too many "investments".
   

5. The most awesome idea I've ever seen for getting super cheap yarn is to recycle old yarn items. There are a number of articles online about this, but the gist of it is to unravel old sweaters, afghans, etcetera and utilize the yarn for a new purpose! I must admit that I don't use yarn fast enough to have ever needed this tactic, but it's a great idea and I'd love to hear about your recycled yarn projects!

III. Stick with beginner level projects, if you are a beginner. There is a reason you can find so many wonderful patterns and unfinished projects in thrift store bins – it's because someone bit off more than they could chew. Luckily, most patterns will clearly tell you how difficult they are by some sort of ranking system. This is another fantastic reason to use online resources because if you find something a little daunting, you haven't lost anything in the trying. If I am trying out a new technique, I always start with yarn I have on hand to see if I can even do it, much less enjoy it.

Like all thrifty living techniques, yarn craft can be a wonderful addition to your repertoire of skills and also a super fun hobby to enjoy. There's nothing more rewarding for me than sitting down to a movie with my family and seeing all my little ducklings tucked under my own personally hand made projects! I also find that having a yarn craft on my lap in winter months gives me a real sense of satisfaction – especially when I finish the project!

Finally, passing down yarn crafts in the family gives a real feeling of heritage that I find thrilling. My sister in law wraps her boys up every winter in scarves made by her grandmother that several generations of children have now used. I crocheted a very large afghan in high school that my kids still enjoy using today. What a wonderful way to bless yourself and your family and friends; and if it's done with a little forethought, it will add and not subtract from your overall bottom line.

Happy (and thrifty) Homesteading!