Friday, September 3, 2010

Knitaversary

Today is my one year knitaversary! On this day one year ago, I became a knitter. So now, I'd like to share with you my first knit project


I joined Ravelry towards the end of the summer last year and decided to join a book swap. In this swap, we all read the same book, then sent our partners a kit to make something reminiscent of the book. I was really excited to participate in the swap, but a little nervous too. I didn't know what "real" knitters liked. I was so overjoyed to open my package and find this:


Two skeins of Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande! How lucky can a new knitter get? Included in this package was a free pattern for the Easy Cabled Scarf by Margaret Schroeder (she's the owner of the yarn shop where my partner bought this yarn). I made a special trip to the craft store that very evening, bought my first pair of size 11 bamboo needles, and got started.


The border around the cable is done in moss stitch and honestly, it took me almost two hours to knit the first six rows of the scarf. I could make the knit stitch ok, but switching between knitting and purling was really annoying. I talked myself through it and a couple days later I had a brand new, hand knit scarf!  This has turned out to be my favorite scarf ever. It is so cozy and soft and despite the fact that it was a bit sheddy while knitting, it is super warm and baby alpacas have turned out to be my favorite kind of alpaca. 


And here I am, one year later trying my hand at stranded knitting and not doing too shabby (although not as perfect as I had hoped). I guess there's always room for improvement! 


19 comments:

  1. I'm doing a 'read it and weep' thing. I started knitting approximately eight years ago and I still haven't finished my first scarf AND it's not even close to being as beautiful as yours. Happy one year!! x

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  2. Overachiever!

    Just kidding... you're a fantastic knitter. I never would have guessed that it was just one year ago that you started. I love the scarf! Can't wait to see the results of the stranded knitting.

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  3. Your scarf is lovely and congratulations on your knitaversary!

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  4. Congrats on one year of knitting. Your first project is beautiful, and I've enjoyed getting to know your knitting style through your blog. Here's to many more years as a knitter!

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  5. Happy Anniversary! That is a lovely scarf for your first one ever! I think mine was out of fun fur and was a disaster! I love the baby alpaca too, though I've never knit anything with it.

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  6. Happy Knitaversary! As I have said before, I can't believe you have only been knitting for a year!! Beautiful work.

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  7. You're a natural. Happy anniversary!

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  8. Happy Knithday. Awesome 1st project!

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  9. Congrats on your Knitaversary! The scarf is lovely!

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  10. Happy Knitaversary!! Your first project is beautiful! Baby alpaca is a dream to work with. Raising my tea cup in a toast for many more years of enjoyable knitting.

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  11. I'm amazed that you have only been knitting for one year!!!! What a cute story ~ and that is a delicious looking yarn ~ perfect for a very cozy scarf.

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  12. This is a beautiful first project! I love that kind of yarn. It is too die for. Congrats on one year!

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  13. Happy Knitaversary!! You did a wonderful job on your first project and you have come amazingly far in just a year!!

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  14. You started knitting A YEAR AGO??? Holy crap, you're good! And what a lovely cable on that scarf.

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  15. What a beautiful first project - you've had a great year! happy knitaversary to you! (and I'm curious - what was the book y'all read that inspired that gift?)

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  16. wow! your first knit project was cables! what a legend!

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  17. Happy anniversary! Are you sure that was your first knit EVER? holy monkey. It's beautiful. I had been knitting for at least a year before I attempted cables. It's beautiful!


    I also love the mittens from your last post. Having Malabrigo - especially such a sunny color - on your hands all day must be such a joy. :)

    cheers!
    Daisy

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  18. That's pretty incredible, for your first knitted project! Moss stitch plus cables, impressive! And what a nice keepsake from your first swap. I love the icy color of that yarn, too. :)

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  19. OMGosh, what a divine looking scarf. Awesome job.

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