Fear will control you, your thoughts and your actions, if you allow. The definition is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. Now I don’t know that anything in knitting a sweater will cause physical pain, but it can generate disappointment. I saved this post for the end of the challenge because I pray this helps someone cast on their first sweater.
Today I want to talk about your fear of making a sweater. By the end of this post I want you to realize it’s not the knitting it’s you. Wait GG, what do you mean? Is that what you are thinking? Ok here is what I had to finally realize. All knitting (depending on the pattern) is a combination of knit and purl stitches. Can you do a knit stitch? I’ll wait. Ok can you do a purl stitch? Are you nodding your head yes? I know you are.
Remember this post 3 Things I learned? The first thing I said is read the pattern. What does that have to do with anything GG? EVERYTHING. You will discover if you need to learn how to increase or decrease or how to do short rows BEFORE you start. Then you can go to YouTube or your favorite fiber friend and learn how to do that technique.
It’s not the Knitting it’s Fear
Now that we have established that you have the “skill” to make a sweater, let’s discuss what is really stopping you and what stopped me. Let’s talk about fear and self confidence. Yup that! The basic sweater pattern is not stopping your progress, YOU are!
So this post is to remind you to watch your mouth. This world will convince you that you are not worthy damn it, don’t you say it too. I want you to really examine what you are afraid of, what makes you believe making a sweater is this obstacle you can’t move? You know that saying “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything?” Yea well that applies to self talk too.
As always I will use me and my experience. I clearly remember telling myself all I could make was scarves and cowls. I was also convinced only “real” knitters used fingering yarn. Who told me that? *raises hand* I did. I use to go to the yarn shop (Knit Knack) and try on the Weekend Wrap EVERY TIME I was there. Meera, the shop owner gave me my life.
- Meera: Are you going to make that?
- Me: I can’t make clothes!!
- Meera: she held the wrap up and said “it’s a rectangle with 2 holes in it. When you get to the holes come back and I will show you.
- Me: *stuttering* I can knit a rectangle!
- Meera: of course you can!!
- Me: picks out some yarn and runs home. I made it!!
The Knitting proved me wrong
When I focused on the techniques I discovered I can make whatever I want to make. I learned I owed it to myself to at least try. Now there are things I don’t like to do and that is different. I no longer tell myself I can’t do something. Now it’s your turn. If you have made a sweater were you afraid in the beginning? If you have never made one, tell me why!
Have a fabulous day On Purpose
Gaye Glasspie
Sweaters were my knitting goal. I learned a few skills on simpler projects. And then I found a simple pattern, jojis easy bulky one. And the rest is history, as they say. I know I can do it. Sometimes I just need to clear an hour in the schedule, and watch a few YouTube videos to learn a new to me technique.
There you go!
I can remember being hesitant to start my first knitted sweater (I had crocheted a few garments before). My knitting teacher said the same thing…you can knit and purl, you can make a sweater. I can remember being so proud as I was finishing it. I went to my Nana’s to raid her button bin for the one button I needed for the sweater. My nana was impressed and so smitten with it, that I ended up gifting the sweater to her. She was the one who taught me to crochet (and hem pants).
Now, I just need to work on finishing the sweaters. I currently have 3 on the needles…
3? Wow!
Hi,
You are so absolutely right your fears will control you. I’m a new knitter I’ve been practicing my new craft for a little over a year or so. And the funny thing is Sweater knitting did not present a fear. The fear came with something much smaller. Sweater knitting was the whole reason I embraced knitting. I learned how to crochet first and really enjoy it. And realizing there are beautiful garments that can be made in crochet I found myself falling in love with the knitted sweater patterns which became my passion. And yes you’re right again knitting is just a combination of knits and purls along with learning other techniques that goes along with it. I call myself an ambitious beginner I knitted a hat and I was ready for the sweaters. I must say I’m notorious for haveing multiple projects going on at the same time and I have yet to finish two sweater projects I have on my needles. I guess that is another issue in itself. But with all of that being said I mentioned that my fear came with something smaller than a sweater my fear or intimidation comes in with knitting SOCKS! Yes socks!! I see all of the nice sock patterns on Ravelry and with YouTube podcast and it’s like I just FREEZE UP. My mind has trouble processing that sock. And I know way. It’s those double point needles. For me it seems like the most awkward tool to work with. I realize I must get beyond that fear and just jump right in there.
Tracy – I know that fear. But there are other ways to make socks. You can make them with a long circular needle using the Magic Loop method, or on two longish circular needles, or even on one 9″ circular (most experts advise having more than one pair of socks using other methods under your belt before trying this. I like it, myself, and I am no expert!) But even DPNs aren’t as awkward and scary as they seem. And there are tons of sock tutorials on You Tube, for all the methods, you can view for free. And Stephanie Pearl-Macfee has an outstanding series of sock tutorials on her new Patreon site, at a very reasonable price for all. You can do it!
This has been a most enjoyable time reading your daily posts. Thank you! I tried a sweater when I first started knitting back in the 70’s. Brilliant green and pink and electric blue. It could have fit 3 of me. So I totally avoided them and eventually stopped knitting. Fast forward to grand baby #1. A little sweater was easy. And 11 grand babies later my knitting has vastly improved and I can now customize a sweater to fit. I still have to fight the little guy inside who tells me this won’t work by reminding myself I can always rip it out and do it again.
So much all of this!!
And it applies to crochet too. Can you stick your hook in the fabric and pull up a loop? Yes? Ok, so then it’s not about the skill.
There are tons of other things to learn, how to read your fabric, how to count the stitches, how do a gauge swatch…
Personally, I tend to avoid anything fitted because of gauge.
I have my first cardigan in time out because I had to do the sleeves three times.
Why? Because I wasn’t paying attention. It wasn’t hard, I didn’t need five robot arms to help me make some Black Belt Crochet Stitch… But it definitely isn’t mindless either.
I love your story about “come back when you get to the holes” part.
I think there is a learning curve and when you start out at the beginning, the number of things to learn can seem overwhelming. One foot (or stitch) in front of the other.
Reading the pattern in advance – so much yes!
Also having a more experienced person who has done the pattern helps too.
(And of course, pay it forward, and help those less experienced).
Thank you for this post and the entire month’s posts, I have enjoyed them a lot!
Hmmm. So many fears….1) gauge 2) it won’t fit (see 1) 3) it takes a long time to make a sweater and I have had trouble sticking with projects for a long time. 4) 🤷🏻♀️
Yay GG!! Thank you for this inspirational post! My podcast host and I are always saying that … just knit & purl, baby! Anyone who can knit can knit a sweater!
Congratulations on your blog challenge. I hope you keep posting. 🙂
Thank you 🤗 I will
I taught myself to knit in the mid-1970s when all we had to go by was one How to Knit booklet. I started off with crochet, and made several granny square crocheted vests, and even comic nose-warmers for my whole family one Christmas. When I got into sweaters I knew NOTHING. The first sweater vest I tried, I looked at that weird word “gauge” and decided it was irrelevant. LOL Guess what – that vest would have fit an elephant! I did better on my second vest, using chunky Bernat yarn, it even had cables and ribbed neckline and arm scythes (if that’s the right term), and pockets! And I did it! I must have used too-small needles, because it’s knit pretty tightly, but I did it – and I have kept it even though I can’t get into it any more. But since I resumed knitting in 2009, I haven’t tackled a sweater. FOFU (Fear of Flubbing Up) and the cost of “all that yarn” is holding me back. But I’ll get there someday! You’re an inspiration, GG! Thanks for ALL you do for the world.
I am afraid of making a sweater. I made one for my granddaughter, but it was too big and she hasn’t worn it. I always feel like it’s going to take too long, but I have made blankets and wraps that have had more knitting. I have a sweater started, but there it sits. Silly, right?
I’ve been knitting for decades and have made many sweaters. My trouble is all about them not fitting in the end. I do a swatch but they rarely fit. Is there a secret? I LOVE how well your sweaters fit, GG, particularly your latest one. GORGEOUS!!! Thanks so much for raising your questions! They make me think about the knitting process and how I can learn new tricks of the art.🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
Yay!! I am happy I could help.
The first thing I knitted as an adult was a jumper for my son, and it had colour work. Nobody told me I couldn’t! It was 26 years ago, so no internet and I didn’t know anyone who knit apart from my mum. She helped me cast on, taught me how to read the pattern and I was hooked! I’ve had something on needles ever since. My boy is now 28 and has his own baby who I love to knit for.
So if anyone is worried about starting a sweater I say go for it! Maybe try a little sweater and donate it if there aren’t any children you can give it too. There are so many tutorials on YouTube to help if you don’t have another knitter near you and if I could do it, anyone can!
thanks for reading 👩🏾💻😊🧡 and responding
I have knit baby sweaters before, but nothing for grown ups. Until this year! I had about 3 weeks of working half time during the pandemic lockdown and I completed a Main Squeeze Cardigan. The fact that it was knit in bulky yarn made it a quick knit. I am proud of it, but I’m inspired to do more! I want to do a Love Note sweater and I love the Weekend Wrap! There is so much inspiration to be found in knitting!
There is great inspiration. I have my eye on the love note too
thank you, for this post! i have not yet had the courage to start knitting one and now i understand so much more, what the problem is… this gives me courage to face that “fear” at last.
YW and when you are ready, go for it!
🙌🏾
I had the same fear of making sweaters for 10 years I knit with out making a garment. And I decided one day that it was all one stitch at a time and now I make sweaters all the time.
That is exactly it! One Stitch at a time! THANKS FOR READING 👩🏾💻😊🧡
All that work and what if it doesn’t fit? I’ve now watched a number of great lessons by some fabulous teachers and I’ve made two cardigans. Next up: Pullovers!
that is why I love top down knitting. I can try it on as I go.
Hi GG,
Thank you for the encouragement for us to get out of our own way. Fear keeps us from doing so many things. I did not even realize that I was afraid to knit sweaters until a yarn dyer gently challenged how I was thinking about sweater-making. Thankfully, she told me that, if I could knit socks, I could knit a sweater. She said that I already had the skills I needed – mainly knitting and purling. Because of her encouragement, I realized that I was avoiding knitting sweaters out of fear. I am glad that I got past my fear and cast on the My Boy Lollipop sweater by Nancy Ricci. Now, I am happily making my first sweater!
Bravo!!
yes..I stop me from so much that I didn’t even try.