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Knitting
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Knitting Hints and Tips
> New Blog Tutorial - Design Your Own Knit Cowl
New Blog Tutorial - Design Your Own Knit Cowl
9478 views 13 replies
Latest reply: February 19, 2016 at 6:14:54 AM
Member since:
Feb 3, 2016
Posts: 142
StitchMeKnot
message #1
New Blog Tutorial - Design Your Own Knit Cowl
February 12, 2016 at 2:34:44 PM
I just posted a new tutorial on my blog - Design Your Own Knit Cowl.
It would be very helpful to me if people would give feedback and suggestions on how I can make these types of tutorials better, or easier, for stitchers.
I am unable to do video tutorials as I do not have the equipment, or space, to do that.
Thank you so much!
Debbie
StitchMeKnot Creations - http://stitchmeknot.com
Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)
Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4610
Stitchboard Admin
message #2
Re: New Blog Tutorial - Design Your Own Knit Cowl
February 13, 2016 at 5:37:29 AM (in response to StitchMeKnot message #1)
Debbie,
I think this one is perfect as it is!
You've explained it very, very well. Videos take time to watch. I'm of the opinion that one doesn't necessarily need a video if something is well explained, and you've succeeded!
It isn't needed here, but for more complex techniques, you could offer photos as you need more technical explanations. Some PDF patterns have very complex explanations, with several series' of photos showing each step. So if you can't record video, I don't think it's anything to worry about in most cases.
What I really like about your tutorial is how you've made a case for the importance of swatching...because nobody likes to swatch. And it's good, too, for beginning designers to see that not everything planned works out to plan...and sometimes that's okay, as with the curling you got when you attempted seed stitch to keep the work flat. Curling can look quite nice! I did that once, designed something that curled on the first try and purposely didn't curl on the second, and decided the curl was so much better! LOL, in that case, call it as programmers do...it's not a problem, it's a feature!
Anyway, good job on the tutorial!
Melanie (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict. If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.
Member since:
Feb 3, 2016
Posts: 142
StitchMeKnot
message #3
Re: New Blog Tutorial - Design Your Own Knit Cowl
February 13, 2016 at 10:00:40 AM (in response to StitchMeKnot message #1)
LOL, thanks Melanie ... I like that ... it's not a mistake ... it's a feature!
I agree that sometimes videos can be more distracting or time intensive. Thanks for the input about the step-by-step images for complex directions.
I very much appreciate the feedback. This is important to me so that Ican always produce clear, concise, easy to follow tutorials for others. I try to explain things in such a way that a stitcher may be able to take the "recipe" and apply it to their own project; and not even apply, but to expand on it and experiment with it to create their own lovely stitch projects.
Debbie
StitchMeKnot Creations - http://stitchmeknot.com
Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)
Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4610
Stitchboard Admin
message #4
Re: New Blog Tutorial - Design Your Own Knit Cowl
February 14, 2016 at 7:45:32 AM (in response to StitchMeKnot message #3)
Debbie,
Hee hee, now you can't do anything wrong!
Videos, particularly craft videos, can take way too much time from crafting. I get very impatient when I realize there's no corresponding pattern for something on YouTube, because that means I have to sit and watch intently if I want to return to it.
Your tutorials are exactly that, clear, concise and easy to follow!
Good job!
I do hope stitchers will take the time to go through your video and branch out on their own to offer new designs.
Melanie (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict. If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.
Member since:
Feb 3, 2016
Posts: 142
StitchMeKnot
message #5
Re: New Blog Tutorial - Design Your Own Knit Cowl
February 14, 2016 at 6:37:49 PM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #4)
Melanie,
Those little 'design features' are what make our projects unique from every body else's, and that's a good thing.
I would very much like to see pictures of projects people came up with as a result of my tutorials. One of my goals for my blog is to create a member gallery where I can showcase pictures of people's projects based upon what they learned in the tutorials. The purpose behind this is to encourage and inspire others to create beautiful stitched projects based upon their own ideas of what it should look like.
Another goal is to also show new crafters that no matter what level of experience they are at they can take these 'recipe' type tutorials and begin designing their own wonderful creations now; they don't have to wait until they become 'experts' because quite frankly, there are so many different things to learn in our crafts of choice that there is always more to learn.
For example, I have only been knitting for about 1.5 to 2 years now. There is still so much that I have no clue about, but I try to share with others what I have learned along the way so that we can all learn together. I know there are many things that the users here on Stitchboard could teach me, too.
This is why I really love boards such as this one. It gives us crafters a wonderful place to exchange ideas, and help each other out when we get stuck, or gives us inspiration and encouragement to try something new.
Debbie
StitchMeKnot Creations - http://stitchmeknot.com
Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)
Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4610
Stitchboard Admin
message #6
Re: New Blog Tutorial - Design Your Own Knit Cowl
February 15, 2016 at 4:08:05 AM (in response to StitchMeKnot message #5)
Debbie,
Wow, you sound like a seasoned professional...no way have you only been knitting for 1 1/2 to 2 years!
I agree with you about the design features. People can have amazingly different ideas from the very same thing, and it's fun to see ideas sparking more ideas. One of my friends used to do that kind of thing (and probably still does) with his art. He and other artists would get together online, exhange and then work off of each other's pieces...the results would be amazing, as they'd take the work in so many different directions!
Loving the idea of your member gallery.
That's going to inspire many!
It's true...in crafting, newbies can start right away and become proficient almost immediately!
Pretty much everything can be broken down into steps and then the final application is the most fun of all...bringing imagination to reality!
IMO, that's what makes crafts so interesting...there's always more to learn! I'm a "technique junkie" - I want to know a technique, even if I'll never use it. It usually comes in very handy to have tried it, if for nothing else than having an extra hint of how to do something unrelated at a later date.
Glad you're enjoying our conversations here as much as I am. And here's hoping this will lead to more people learning and developing their own talents!
Melanie (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict. If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.
Member since:
Feb 3, 2016
Posts: 142
StitchMeKnot
message #7
Re: New Blog Tutorial - Design Your Own Knit Cowl
February 15, 2016 at 6:40:51 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #6)
Thanks Melanie,
I can assure you I'm no 'seasoned professional' by any means. If it wasn't for youtube and online videos, my knitting skills would most likely still be non-existent.
I think that one of the things that helps me is that because I am left-handed, I have always had to reverse what everyone else does. Sometimes this is not easy.
I've been learning how to do various crafts since I was young, but by no means am I an expert in any one of them. I have way too much to learn still, but that doesn't stop me from being able to share what I've already learned with others.
Yes, my main goal is to inspire others so they can come up with new and interesting projects, too. There is nothing as satisfying as completing a project that you designed and created from start to finish, even if it was inspired by, or based upon something else. It's a pretty awesome feeling, and I would love to help other people feel that way, too.
Debbie
StitchMeKnot Creations - http://stitchmeknot.com
Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)
Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4610
Stitchboard Admin
message #8
Re: New Blog Tutorial - Design Your Own Knit Cowl
February 16, 2016 at 1:25:31 AM (in response to StitchMeKnot message #7)
Debbie,
I'm so glad you've been benefiting from the YouTube videos, especially to the point of looking like a seasoned professional!
For learning new things (or for a refresher of forgotten techniques), YouTube is so invaluable.
I was recently struggling with a "wrap & turn" (short rows) when working very, very small. Though I ultimately found some clear photos on what to do, I was working too small for them, so I was lucky to find a tutorial that was an alternative to the now-dreaded "w&t," LOL. Now short rows are so easy, it's like there was no reason to ever have been worried about those "w&t" instructions!
Oh, no, left handed...that's incredibly difficult!
I've tried left-handed knitting and crochet and it's impossible as a right-handed person.
It's lovely how you share the things you've learned.
It's so much more enjoyable that way.
And isn't it wonderful to watch someone take that next step from being inspired?
Melanie (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict. If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.
Member since:
Feb 3, 2016
Posts: 142
StitchMeKnot
message #9
Re: New Blog Tutorial - Design Your Own Knit Cowl
February 16, 2016 at 3:14:18 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #8)
Melanie,
You'll have to share the technique you know use for short rows instead of the w&t's.
LOL, being left-handed has it's challenges at times, but if I can't figure out how to do something, sometimes all it takes is sitting opposite a right handed person [or mirror] to see how it should be done left handed.
Yes, I really enjoy sharing so others can benefit too. I am *so* looking forward to seeing what people create as a result of the tutorials.
Debbie
StitchMeKnot Creations - http://stitchmeknot.com
Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)
Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4610
Stitchboard Admin
message #10
Re: New Blog Tutorial - Design Your Own Knit Cowl
February 17, 2016 at 2:51:30 AM (in response to StitchMeKnot message #9)
Debbie,
I'm looking forward to seeing what people create, as well!
I'll get the link for that tutorial. I want to warn the designer first, which is why I'm not adding it here (and I do have to find it again, anyway). So if I forget, please remind me! Her technique is soooooooo much better than working tiny with those w&ts, and next time I encounter short rows on anything, I'll probably use the same technique!
That's how I taught a crochet class years ago with one left-handed person in it...she just watched and reversed it all herself. I can't say it worked out badly...but I felt so terrible for her, until she said she could just watch what I was doing and reverse it all. It must be so hard to work that way, though.
Technology was nowhere at the time, so there wasn't even a YouTube or anything!
It was all about teaching people individually, and that was it.
Melanie (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict. If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.
Member since:
Feb 3, 2016
Posts: 142
StitchMeKnot
message #11
Re: New Blog Tutorial - Design Your Own Knit Cowl
February 17, 2016 at 6:00:53 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #10)
Yes, I often used to tell people not to worry about trying to do it left handed, just do it your way, and I'll convert it.
Usually, that worked just fine. I guess we leftys are just used to it because we've always had to do it. I don't know.
Yes, technology has progressed a ton. While there are a lot of videos specifically for left-handed users, I usually don't even watch those. I still watch the right-handed ones. Strange that.
Debbie
StitchMeKnot Creations - http://stitchmeknot.com
Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)
Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4610
Stitchboard Admin
message #12
Re: New Blog Tutorial - Design Your Own Knit Cowl
February 18, 2016 at 1:54:35 AM (in response to StitchMeKnot message #11)
Debbie,
That makes sense...it's exactly what that woman did in the class. I guess you get used to doing things a certain way.
I'm inclined to agree...of course, if you've had to do it all along, you would do it that way without thinking twice!
Reminds me of a dentist I went to years ago. My husband also went to the same dentist, and they got into a discussion of how the dentist can reverse what he sees, since he's essentially seeing the opposite! So then the guy started getting a bit weirded out, because once you start to think about something you normally do without thinking, you get weirded out! I told him not to do that again...he's not allowed to mess up my dentist...LOL!
But I'm sure that's what working left-handed off of right-handed materials is.
I believe that you watching those videos is just like the way the dentist got used to seeing things backwards in the mirror. You just got used to it. Now if you look at left-handed videos, it's probably a bit strange! Whereas with right-handed videos, you know what you're doing.
Melanie (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict. If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.
Member since:
Feb 3, 2016
Posts: 142
StitchMeKnot
message #13
Re: New Blog Tutorial - Design Your Own Knit Cowl
February 18, 2016 at 5:16:06 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #12)
Melanie,
You're absolutely right. When you stop to thing about how to do something you've always just done automatically, it's very strange that you can't figure it out ... it's like it's something new or foreign that you've never seen or done before. Very weird.
I discovered this when I used to fix computers for a living. Whenever I would try to talk someone through a process so they could do it themselves, I had to sit down and figure out exactly what I was doing because I had gotten to the point of doing it automatically w/o thinking about what I was doing.
We humans are strange creatures sometimes. LOL
Debbie
StitchMeKnot Creations - http://stitchmeknot.com
Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)
Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4610
Stitchboard Admin
message #14
Re: New Blog Tutorial - Design Your Own Knit Cowl
February 19, 2016 at 6:14:54 AM (in response to StitchMeKnot message #13)
Debbie,
It's both good and bad...we can't figure out how we did something without actually doing it...but there is that muscle memory that takes over!
I didn't knit for a few years, then one day I picked up the needles, figuring I wasn't going to have much luck, but wouldn't you know, I remembered!
Couldn't have told you what I was about to do, but managed to do it!
LOL, it's so different to do something than to explain it. It's like I was telling someone about reading knitting instructions. The instructions usually say to read everything through completely. I've tried, but can never make head or tail out of anything. But if I start working...no problem!
Hee hee, and you're right...we can be
very
strange creatures!
Melanie (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict. If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.
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