Comments on: Does a Knit-a-long Teach Us Anything? http://www.deborahfillmer.com/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/ blog Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:57:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: carol http://www.deborahfillmer.com/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/comment-page-2/#comment-1976 carol Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:28:22 +0000 http://www.knitwith.us/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/#comment-1976 I had a great time--even though i am only on hint 2--i learned and not to be scared of reading a chart how to read a chart !! thank you! this was my first (but not last) kal--as well as my first lace project----and I agree with all Paula's comments--- I had a great time–even though i am only on hint 2–i learned and not to be scared of reading a chart how to read a chart !! thank you! this was my first (but not last) kal–as well as my first lace project—-and I agree with all Paula’s comments—

]]> By: Nicki (Ravelry: eastskye) http://www.deborahfillmer.com/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/comment-page-2/#comment-1975 Nicki (Ravelry: eastskye) Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:50:05 +0000 http://www.knitwith.us/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/#comment-1975 I've learned about the knitting experiences of others, which in itself is fascinating. It's amazing how many of us make the same mistake in the same place for the same reasons! This group has been wonderful and courageous: The encouragement has been great, and I marvel at those in the group who struggle mightily, but still push on. You are the real heros here. :-) I learned that this is the best way to knit a large lace project *for me*. Receiving a portion of it each week instead of looking at a huge, looming chart/set of directions really cuts the monster down to size. Breaking it up into smaller milestone goals is a giant morale boost and enables me to keep going toward the next one. It's easy to spot this sense of accomplishment in the posts on both the yahoogroups board and Ravelry, too. This will be the first KAL that I'll finish; that alone is enough to make me very grateful to DK. For whatever reason, I seem to drop out after a couple of weeks and have collected a little pile of WIPs. This KAL opened my eyes: I've frogged those two other KAL projects, and will use that (beautiful) yarn for something else instead of deluding myself that I'll finish them. (Perhaps I'll use it for the NEXT SOTS project! My grateful thanks to DK, and all the knitters who are participating in this. I look forward to knitting along with you again. Nicki I’ve learned about the knitting experiences of others, which in itself is fascinating. It’s amazing how many of us make the same mistake in the same place for the same reasons! This group has been wonderful and courageous: The encouragement has been great, and I marvel at those in the group who struggle mightily, but still push on. You are the real heros here. :-)

I learned that this is the best way to knit a large lace project *for me*. Receiving a portion of it each week instead of looking at a huge, looming chart/set of directions really cuts the monster down to size. Breaking it up into smaller milestone goals is a giant morale boost and enables me to keep going toward the next one. It’s easy to spot this sense of accomplishment in the posts on both the yahoogroups board and Ravelry, too.

This will be the first KAL that I’ll finish; that alone is enough to make me very grateful to DK. For whatever reason, I seem to drop out after a couple of weeks and have collected a little pile of WIPs. This KAL opened my eyes: I’ve frogged those two other KAL projects, and will use that (beautiful) yarn for something else instead of deluding myself that I’ll finish them. (Perhaps I’ll use it for the NEXT SOTS project!

My grateful thanks to DK, and all the knitters who are participating in this. I look forward to knitting along with you again.

Nicki

]]> By: Nicki (Ravelry: eastskye) http://www.deborahfillmer.com/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/comment-page-2/#comment-1974 Nicki (Ravelry: eastskye) Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:49:02 +0000 http://www.knitwith.us/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/#comment-1974 I've learned about the knitting experiences of others, which in itself is fascinating. It's amazing how many of us make the same mistake in the same place for the same reasons! This group has been wonderful and courageous: The encouragement has been great, and I marvel at those in the group who struggle mightily, but still push on. You are the real heros here. :-) I learned that this is the best way to knit a large lace project *for me*. Receiving a portion of it each week instead of looking at a huge, looming chart/set of directions really cuts the monster down to size. Breaking it up into smaller milestone goals is a giant morale boost and enables me to keep going toward the next one. It's easy to spot this sense of accomplishment in the posts on both the yahoogroups board and Ravelry, too. This will be the first KAL that I'll finish; that alone is enough to make me very grateful to DK. For whatever reason, I seem to drop out after a couple of weeks and have collected a little pile of WIPs. This KAL opened my eyes: I've frogged those two other KAL projects, and will use that (beautiful) yarn for something else instead of deluding myself that I'll finish them. (Perhaps I'll use it for the NEXT SOTS project! My grateful thanks to DK, and all the knitters who are participating in this. I look forward to knitting along with you again. I’ve learned about the knitting experiences of others, which in itself is fascinating. It’s amazing how many of us make the same mistake in the same place for the same reasons! This group has been wonderful and courageous: The encouragement has been great, and I marvel at those in the group who struggle mightily, but still push on. You are the real heros here. :-)

I learned that this is the best way to knit a large lace project *for me*. Receiving a portion of it each week instead of looking at a huge, looming chart/set of directions really cuts the monster down to size. Breaking it up into smaller milestone goals is a giant morale boost and enables me to keep going toward the next one. It’s easy to spot this sense of accomplishment in the posts on both the yahoogroups board and Ravelry, too.

This will be the first KAL that I’ll finish; that alone is enough to make me very grateful to DK. For whatever reason, I seem to drop out after a couple of weeks and have collected a little pile of WIPs. This KAL opened my eyes: I’ve frogged those two other KAL projects, and will use that (beautiful) yarn for something else instead of deluding myself that I’ll finish them. (Perhaps I’ll use it for the NEXT SOTS project!

My grateful thanks to DK, and all the knitters who are participating in this. I look forward to knitting along with you again.

]]> By: Janet Hariluk http://www.deborahfillmer.com/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/comment-page-2/#comment-1973 Janet Hariluk Tue, 18 Mar 2008 02:28:38 +0000 http://www.knitwith.us/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/#comment-1973 Does KAL's teach us anything???? Yes, of course. Patience, persistence, perseverance! I love working lace with the laceweight yarns. I usually learn something new which each lace project that I do. I love the mystery aspect. It teaches us to trust in our designer, that it will work out in the end. It is very helpful in that we can ask the questions, and someone from the group usually has the answer. Which is much nicer than to say, use a book, to knit a lace stole/shawl and have no one to ask questions. I have so enjoyed the process of knitting this stole, and also Sots I. You do beautiful work DK, and your instructions have been precise and clear. Thank you for a wonderful KAL. Janet Does KAL’s teach us anything???? Yes, of course. Patience, persistence, perseverance! I love working lace with the laceweight yarns. I usually learn something new which each lace project that I do. I love the mystery aspect. It teaches us to trust in our designer, that it will work out in the end. It is very helpful in that we can ask the questions, and someone from the group usually has the answer. Which is much nicer than to say, use a book, to knit a lace stole/shawl and have no one to ask questions. I have so enjoyed the process of knitting this stole, and also Sots I. You do beautiful work DK, and your instructions have been precise and clear. Thank you for a wonderful KAL.
Janet

]]> By: Jan Carmichel http://www.deborahfillmer.com/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/comment-page-2/#comment-1972 Jan Carmichel Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:20:43 +0000 http://www.knitwith.us/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/#comment-1972 I think working on a KAL is one of the most enjoyable things a knitter can do. It doesn't matter how experienced a knitter you are because you will learn many things that you didn't think you would ever be able to do. Seeing the work so many people have done is so enjoyable. To think some many people from all over the world can come together to work on something like this is very special. To bad our countries can't work together the same way these knitters have. Knitting is a universal language in its own right. Thank you again DK for such a wonderful experience and am looking forward to your next one. Jan I think working on a KAL is one of the most enjoyable things a knitter can do. It doesn’t matter how experienced a knitter you are because you will learn many things that you didn’t think you would ever be able to do. Seeing the work so many people have done is so enjoyable. To think some many people from all over the world can come together to work on something like this is very special. To bad our countries can’t work together the same way these knitters have. Knitting is a universal language in its own right.
Thank you again DK for such a wonderful experience and am looking forward to your next one.

Jan

]]> By: crochetcompulsive http://www.deborahfillmer.com/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/comment-page-2/#comment-1908 crochetcompulsive Mon, 17 Mar 2008 02:27:57 +0000 http://www.knitwith.us/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/#comment-1908 What have I learned? Once again, that I have a strong drive to take on more than I can chew. Despite being a SAHM with 3 kiddos under 7 I always think I can hang with those that aren't. I honestly thought I could keep up the pace. This project was going to be my #1 priority. Then life slammed me hard with the fact that everything is relative. There are times when everything extraneous has to be set aside. I can and should in fact let things go at times. I can slide when I need to. Nothing will blow up. Nothing will disappear. I can pick up where I left off. I can take my own pace and just be fine. It will get done. Not by some magical date or set point, but I will eventually make it through. It's been an odd confluence of events. An exercise in patience on many levels. I expected my skill set to grow, but wasn't expecting the life lessons as well. Sometimes you get bonuses. This is one of them. Thanks DK! Dawn What have I learned? Once again, that I have a strong drive to take on more than I can chew. Despite being a SAHM with 3 kiddos under 7 I always think I can hang with those that aren’t. I honestly thought I could keep up the pace. This project was going to be my #1 priority. Then life slammed me hard with the fact that everything is relative. There are times when everything extraneous has to be set aside. I can and should in fact let things go at times. I can slide when I need to. Nothing will blow up. Nothing will disappear. I can pick up where I left off. I can take my own pace and just be fine. It will get done. Not by some magical date or set point, but I will eventually make it through. It’s been an odd confluence of events. An exercise in patience on many levels. I expected my skill set to grow, but wasn’t expecting the life lessons as well. Sometimes you get bonuses. This is one of them. Thanks DK! Dawn

]]> By: (Not-so) Cynical Knitting Gal http://www.deborahfillmer.com/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/comment-page-2/#comment-1971 (Not-so) Cynical Knitting Gal Sun, 16 Mar 2008 14:21:09 +0000 http://www.knitwith.us/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/#comment-1971 I learned a LOT! I love that I figured out how to tink, unknit, reknit and to just relax into it!! Thanks :) I learned a LOT! I love that I figured out how to tink, unknit, reknit and to just relax into it!! Thanks :)

]]> By: Natalie http://www.deborahfillmer.com/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/comment-page-2/#comment-1970 Natalie Sun, 16 Mar 2008 05:11:03 +0000 http://www.knitwith.us/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/#comment-1970 I think KAL's teach us a great deal. On the one hand we learn knew techniques and are exposed to styles of knitting or patterns that we otherwise might not have tried, but we also, perhaps more importantly, learn about each other and make connections with complete strangers. People we might otherwise never have met and we quickly share our joys, frustrations, fears and lives on a more intimate level than we usually would with mere acquaintances. The fact that we share a common interest - knitting and a shared goal - the pattern brings us together and allows us to open ourselves up and help each other. There isn't selfishness, pettiness or greed, but instead a willingness to help each other and give of our own time to research someone's question or help them find a link. I think if more knitters were running things, we'd be a lot better off! I think KAL’s teach us a great deal. On the one hand we learn knew techniques and are exposed to styles of knitting or patterns that we otherwise might not have tried, but we also, perhaps more importantly, learn about each other and make connections with complete strangers. People we might otherwise never have met and we quickly share our joys, frustrations, fears and lives on a more intimate level than we usually would with mere acquaintances. The fact that we share a common interest – knitting and a shared goal – the pattern brings us together and allows us to open ourselves up and help each other. There isn’t selfishness, pettiness or greed, but instead a willingness to help each other and give of our own time to research someone’s question or help them find a link. I think if more knitters were running things, we’d be a lot better off!

]]> By: Heidi Ulrich http://www.deborahfillmer.com/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/comment-page-2/#comment-1969 Heidi Ulrich Sun, 16 Mar 2008 02:13:10 +0000 http://www.knitwith.us/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/#comment-1969 I forgot to add one more thing --- I actually FINISH my projects! With the support from the group and the excitement of the knit-along, I actually finish my projects! I may not be done with this one yet, but I am almost there and know I will finish it. I forgot to add one more thing — I actually FINISH my projects! With the support from the group and the excitement of the knit-along, I actually finish my projects! I may not be done with this one yet, but I am almost there and know I will finish it.

]]> By: Heidi http://www.deborahfillmer.com/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/comment-page-2/#comment-1968 Heidi Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:52:09 +0000 http://www.knitwith.us/2008/03/14/learn-from-knit-a-long/#comment-1968 Absolutely! I think Knit alongs are so wonderful for the commmunity they provide, the connection between knitters, the guidance for new (and not so new) knitters, and just the plain old fun of doing something when you';re not sure what it will look like. I have learned so much on this, my first KAL, more than in my many years of knitting. I can't wait for the next one!! Heidi Absolutely! I think Knit alongs are so wonderful for the commmunity they provide, the connection between knitters, the guidance for new (and not so new) knitters, and just the plain old fun of doing something when you’;re not sure what it will look like. I have learned so much on this, my first KAL, more than in my many years of knitting. I can’t wait for the next one!!

Heidi

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