It’s new Gaye, it’s not hard and this is what I had to tell myself when it came to knitting sweaters. I can’t even make you guys understand the importance of self talk. I was truly convinced I couldn’t knit a sweater. If I was to count, I have made 26 sweaters and that includes baby sweaters. Never the less, I would tell anyone that would listen that making sweaters was hard *insert eyeroll* You better watch how you talk to my friend.
For those of you that are looking to make your first whatever, I promise it’s not hard, it’s simply new to you. It’s unfamiliar and no one is comfortable when they are not in a familiar situation, so we say it’s hard, am I right? I want you to do this for me ok? I want you to look at the pattern and read the techniques required. Can you do the knit stitch? Can you do the purl stitch? Do you know how to knit or purl two together? Can you knit in the round? Can you read a pattern? If you answer yes to any of those questions. I need you to find the yarn and cast on. It’s not hard, it’s new! If you answered no to any of the questions, YouTube is your friend. You got this I promise.
The latest Sweater
My point in saying all of this is to remind you to get out of your own way. I just finished The Bright Side Sweater from Espace Tricot. It’s a free pattern on Ravelry and it’s your basic top down raglan sweater. The new part for me this time was the yarn because I am a lover of hand dyed super soft yarn and this was not that. The yarn in question is Rauma Finull. Because this yarn is 100% wool I wasn’t sure I would like it, but I absolutely do love the finished product. So before you say you can’t, remember it’s not hard, it’s new.
Gaye, you have got to tell me where you got those amazing orange glasses!!!!!
And great job on all those sweaters!
I got them from Zeelool.com and thank you
I think I responded to this already, if I didn’t it’s Zeelol.com
I love the way you think because it’s like me. LOL. I am about to embark on a double knitting journey which I have never done. It looks hard, but after watching several You-tube videos, I see that it isn’t hard, just tedious. You Go Girl! And you look fabulous in all your sweaters! I especially like you in the one with the bobbles on the front.
Thank you so much! You got this!
Thank you
So many beautiful sweaters. But even better – that beautiful smile! Thanks for, always, sharing.
Aww thank you Sharon 🥰
Thank you
That orange looks SPECTACULAR on you. Wowza.
Let me add to your saying, that it can be hard because it’s new, but isn’t that part of the magic? We are warriors, and the things worth doing require attention and learning and PRACTICE. But even if it’s hard, that doesn’t mean you don’t start. Especially oN that fabulous sweater you shared that will give all the feels. Thanks for your cheerleading and motivation!
Thanks for reading and commenting🤗
Yes! Thanks for reading
This is a fantastic mantra! I will try to remember it. Love the collage of all of your sweaters!
Thank you 🤗
Thank you for this, thank you so much! I cast on my first sweater, The Easy Bulky One by Joji Locatelli, last Feb. I thought “oh, my friends in knitting group can help me when I get stuck”. Then the pandemic stopped our gathering, of course, and I put it away. A few weeks ago I pulled it out, read the first part of the pattern which said “knit 8 inches in stockinette”. Well, I can do that! 😀 And I am. I will cross each new hurdle as I come to it and will repeat your amazing mantra.
There you go!
So many beautiful sweaters, GG! Which is your fave?
I don’t know how to add a pic here, but remember I wrote that I was scared to do a Love Note sweater cause it had a provisional cast on? Well I not only made myself one, but used leftover yarn to make my soon to be niece a matching Love Note! Imagine all the cute pics I would’ve missed out on if I just gave up. Thank you as always for the inspiration GG.
They all have special meaning for different reasons. A new technique, a special yarn or pockets, etc. I can’t pick just one
Hey GG, you are such an inspiration for me. I’ve always been intimidated by sweaters. I decided to try the bobble one that you did from WAK. What should have been a easy, quick knit turned out to be almost a year project. I reached out to a friend for help and she made several suggestions I accepted. They were all good but a stretch for me to follow on my own. Covid set in and I stopped seeing my friend, but I kept at it. I finally got it finished and I’m now working on sweater number six (to include a Knit Collage). You’ve touched so many on your knitting journey and I’m glad our paths have crossed. Stay true to you my friend. Ida
Aww I’m so happy you finished it! Look at you 6 sweaters 👏🏾👏🏾
Thank you GG! I’m so intimidated to make a sweater. And yes, my mantra has been “I can’t”. But with that mantra – I will and can! Your sweaters are beautiful.
You got this I promise
I love seeing all your beautiful sweaters! They are amazing!
Thanks for the reminder and the advice. You are right! I decided that this year was the year that I would ramp up my knitting and do things I have never done. So I just completed my 2nd pair of socks! I’m so proud of myself for stepping out of the box. And a sweater is on my list as well. That one is harder to take the leap for me, but I’ll do it!
As always, I really appreciate the encouragement Gaye. All the best to you!
Yay on your 2nd pair of socks! You go!
You. Are. Beautiful! As are all your sweaters. Your sizing is so perfect. That’s the biggest thing holding me back from doing a sweater for myself – do you try the garments as you go? Do you swatch? Do you find it easier to do top down or bottom up? I’ve made 60+ Christmas stockings (for family – many as wedding/baby gifts), with four on order for this December. I’ve yet to make a sweater for myself. I have plenty of patterns on my wish list!
PS – I’m also in love with orange! My car is orange, my winter jacket is orange, my spring jacket is orange….such a happy color! You are an inspiration!
Shhhh don’t tell ok? But I hardly ever swatch. The few times I have my gauge is consistent. I love top down so I can try on and adjust before it’s gets crazy.
Oh, Gaye, I can’t take my eyes off your lovely face, to look properly at the beautiful sweaters! The last (most recent) one (bright side…) is a kit, right? Didn’t find a free pattern on Ravelry; of course, I am “Ravelry-challenged”.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing all the beauty and stunning work!
Margaret aka Peggy
Thank you for your kind words
Maybe my earlier message did not clear. This IS a kit, right? Thanks ever so much, GG!
Yes it is
Thank you Gaye for this post. I really needed it because I’ve started doing a vest and keep having to frog because of mistakes. I keep dropping doing more on the vest because it “feels HARD”. So now I’m changing my self talk to your motto: “Its not hard, its new!” Thank you so much! That gives me some mental ease to pick up and go forward.
You are most welcome
Am I correct in understanding that this is a “KIT” ? I might jump, but want to be certain what I am getting for nearly $70. Thank you, Gaye!
What the sweater? Espace Tricot does offer this in a kit yes
Your link went to a kit, as I remember. And your post said “…free pattern on Ravelry…” also as I remember. I want the pattern, not necessarily the yarn and all.
Which way did you do it? Kit?
Haven’t knit my own self a sweater since high school/college days (and that’s a VERY long time ago.
Need to DO that; with your help I WILL. You’re the best.
What a mantra for life!
Thank you for all the encouragement. Sweaters scare the tuna salad oughta me but I have yarn ready to go for Ranunculas from Espace Tricot (and a couple of other simple projects). I can feel the “go for it” vibes.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful journey!
You got this
Oh my goodness, I just found your blog and THANK YOU!! Yes I googled Fear of Fingering Yarn (umm don’t do that) and your page came up and I LOVE that you dove in and just made all those sweaters! And that you love orange so much! They look so fantastic and gorgeous on you! I have made 1 (lots of mistakes) sweater and am trying to psych myself up to start another one and…. 1. Can I knit? Yes. 2. Can I purl, also yes. Okay… It’s not hard it’s new 🙂 Gonna do it!