Process or Project Knitter?

I love to knit. The magic that happens when strands of fiber become a fabric is exhilarating. I eagerly start a project only to get distracted by a new yarn, a new pattern, a new technique. I rarely finish projects. I get bored with what I’m working on and start looking for something new.

I took some to time to contemplate this a few years ago, and realized I loved learning new things – how a particular yarn works up, the construction of a garment, the stitch pattern on a lace shawl. Once I “mastered” or at least understood the new thing I moved on. This does not bode well for completing much more than a hat.

In May I sat, thumbing through Barbara Walker’s A Treasure of Knitting Patterns (Book 1) and wondered if it would be fun to knit a swatch of all the stitch patterns in the book. So I decided to give it a try. Spoiler alert – for a process knitter like me, who just loves to knit and doesn’t feel the need to make a project – it is the best knitting “project” ever!

I only have to knit a tiny swatch; I’m not trying to get gauge as the swatch is purely to try my hand at the mechanics of the stitch and explore what the resulting fabric is like. I discovered stitch patterns that yielded reversible fabrics (oh, that is handy!). Certain stitch patterns spoke to me as being perfect for large areas (like blankets or sweaters) or as adding a bit of interest to the bottom of a hat or cardigan.

I’m not sure how far I’ll get in the book before finding the next new thing, but I sure am having fun learning new stitches for now. And if I do make it through the book, there are three more books in the series – so plenty to keep me busy!