Hard is defined as not easy, requiring much effort and is usually avoided. I’m starting here because I have a list of things I avoid because…hard, right? WRONG! Once I push pass my self imposed fears, I discovered that scary thing was merely new vs. difficult. The minute I decided to get out of my head and just do it…guess what? I did it!
What does this have to do with knitting GG? Is that what you are thinking? My answer is EVERYTHING! Here is where I remind you to watch your mouth. What you tell yourself is facts, to you; therefore, you decide it’s hard and well…it will be. But did you try though?
For me, take knitting with small needles and mohair, for example. You let me tell it, nope! That is what real knitters do and I am not that. Are you reading that and thinking wait what!? That’s fear pushing me around and most times I have to push back because it’s not hard, it’s new. It’s the fear of the unknown that controls me. Can anyone else relate to the fear of the unknown?
Fall Back Beanie
I was/am so very proud of my Fall Back Beanie. It is worked up on a US2 needle (facepalm) on the Impression from Madelinetosh, which is Mohair. Of course I did the GG Loves Orange color. It’s held double so it’s like a fingering, but listen to me please. This is definitely in my Nope category. LOL I had to use DPNs. You guys know how I feel about double pointed needles. The D stands for devil. Hahahahahahahaa!
If I am to be honest, my thing with DPNs was because I wasn’t sure. Once I tried, it’s not that big of a deal, but I still avoid. LOL 🙂 Am I alone here?
Misurina
Now fast forward to me deciding to make the Misurina. Guys if I had read the pattern first this wouldn’t be on my needles. This pattern has everything I say is hard. LOL I now know it’s not hard, it was simply new to me. I forged ahead and it’s coming along quite nicely. I had one hiccup which was about reading the chart. Once I got the answer, I have been going along nicely. This pattern has lace and cables and color work oh my! LOL. I am sharing this because I want you all to look inward and determine is it really hard or is it simply new? Let’s discuss in the comments.
I love that perspective on things not being hard, just new!! Thank you
YW
That was great! The DNP “D” is for devil. I decided to try knitting socks. I have knit one sock from heel to toe 3 times. Finally working on my 4th. Finally got the Kitchener stitch figured out and the 3rd sock finished perfect. The other two, not so much. Now I’m on to circular needles. They intimidate me and I’m doing a cowl so it’s easy. Yes, hard when it’s new and figuring out a pattern and all that jazz. Just a little YT help and I’ve been able to feel accomplished… just like you. <3
Bravo!!!
Oh no, you’re scaring me! I just got my yarn for the Fall Back Beanie yesterday. It looks beautiful, but it sounds like it already has it in for me.
Not at all! It’s a very easy and the outcome is stunning! You got this
I love this. You are so right. Usually, it’s new. And, with enough practice it stops being new. My latest new not hard was the German Twisted Cast On for a hat. At first I was like “oh crap, I can’t do that”. But, then I epwatched a Youtube video a bunch of times and now I realize I can. Thanks for your blog and putting a new perspective on “hard”.
Yes, doesn’t it feel good to be on the other side
Loved seeing you in vogue and love your blog. I apologize on behalf of stupid racist white people everywhere. There is no excuse for such ignorance.
Thank you!
Thanks GG for the inspirational message. I have so many excuses. You just erased them.
Yay!
This is so true!! We don’t like to push ourselves, but it is sooo good for us in many ways. Learning is growing and I don’t ever want to quit learning! It also helps us gain confidence in whatever we are doing as well as a feeling accomplished. Thank you for bringing some great thoughts into my day!!
Thank you GG for sharing about “hard” vs. “new”. So true. We get in/on hard because we are simply scared of new. Unfortunately often what we are really scared of is failing. We need to fail though. Then we know what success really feels like. We also learn when we fail. In knitting sometimes we find a new way to do something. It also gives others an example of what not to do and that’s not necessarily bad.
So let’s go do new today, on purpose and with confidence that we WILL try again when we fail!
Yes!
I love your hat so much! But even more, I love your message. I’m a confident knitter, but I heard the voice in my head say, “Mohair?! No way, that’s so hard to knit with!” Whenever we tell ourselves, “I’m not the kind of person who does X” we limit our possibilities. Thanks for reminding me of that. Now I’m gonna go knit me a mohair hat! And then if I’m still feeling brave, maybe a steeked sweater?
Go forward!
There have been several times in my life when I was learning something new and felt this strange uncomfortable feeling. At some point I learned (realized) what I was feeling was the discomfort of adjusting my mind(set?) to something I had not done before, or unlearning something I had done before for a new take on how to do that thing. Once I realized that I’ve been able to say since then, ‘Oh, I am learning.’ and take it as progress not unhappiness. 🙂
Yes!
Yes preogress and not unhappiness
Loved seeing you in vogue and love your blog. I apologize on behalf of stupid racist white people everywhere. Even knitters! I’m mortified. There is no excuse for such ignorance. I am Currently trying to decide if I’m brave enough to do an Afghan. I will start!!!
thank you for reading and the kind words. If you decide you can do an afghan, you will.
Thanks GG, you are so right. My learning curve started over a decade ago when I got serious about knitting, being invited to join a knitting group that had real chops. Making own yarn! Raising own sheep! Yikes!
But, you know, I am still learning, and the best lesson was, rip it! It feels so much better when it’s right. I made a fisherman sweater years ago, in cotton, on too big needles, my poor husband. When he put it on, it immediately grew 4 sizes. I stared at that thing for months, then tore it all out and did it again, faster because I was so mad. Looks great now, he loves it. Keep learning! Go for the new.
Amen
GG…..THANK YOU!!! When I saw the Misurina Sweater….INSTANTLY I cringed with FEAR….NO WAY….For years I avoided any challenge…MY new MANTRA now is…..It’s not HARD it’s NEW. I’m excited about my NEW ATTITUDE!!!
Thank you 🙂
🙌🏾 you got this!