Sometimes You Just Have to Get Past the Beginning

If you read this week's newsletter, you know that I decided to join Laura Nelkin's Brioche Boomerang Flash Knit-Along.

Well... I've officially started!

Actually, I've officially started a couple of times. 😄

The setup rows for this pattern are definitely something you need to pay attention to, and apparently trying to do that while working in a yarn shop wasn't my best idea.

I'd get started, put it down to help a customer, come back to it, pick it up and realize something wasn't quite right. So I'd fix it—or start over—and try again.

There was definitely a little bit of, Okay, let's try this one more time.

But I think that's one of the interesting things about learning a new knitting technique. Sometimes the hardest part is simply getting started.

And Then It Clicks

Once I made it through those setup rows and got into the body of the pattern, everything started making much more sense.

I could actually see what the stitches were doing.

That's always a big turning point for me with a new technique. At first you're following instructions:

Do this. Move the yarn here. Slip this. Knit that.

You're concentrating so hard on doing exactly what the pattern says that you don't necessarily understand why you're doing it.

Then eventually you look down and think,

Oh! I see it now.

That's where I am with this project.

Now that I can read the stitches a little better and see how the brioche is forming, I've settled into the rhythm of it. And I'm actually finding it really relaxing.

That's quite a change from repeatedly casting it on!

Sometimes a Project Needs the Right Time

I've also been reminded that not every part of every project is good "shop knitting."

There are projects I can pick up, knit a few stitches, put down to help someone, and come back ten minutes later without missing a beat.

Apparently the setup rows of Brioche Boomerang are not one of those projects!

And that's okay.

Sometimes a new technique deserves a little uninterrupted time and attention. Once you understand what's happening, it can become the relaxing knitting you were hoping for.

I think that's something worth remembering when we're learning anything new.

If you're struggling with the beginning of a pattern, it doesn't necessarily mean the whole project is going to be difficult.

Sometimes you just haven't reached the part where it clicks yet.

Give yourself a little quiet time. Read the instructions carefully. Look at your stitches. And don't be afraid to start over if that's what you need to do.

Because sometimes starting over isn't really starting over.

You're starting again with everything you learned the first time.

And the second time.

And, in my case, maybe the third time. 😄

Now I'm looking forward to seeing this Brioche Boomerang grow. What started out requiring all of my attention is already turning into something I can relax into and enjoy.

I'll keep you posted on how it goes!

And if you're working on the Brioche Boomerang too and get stuck, bring it into the shop. I'm happy to sit down with you and see if we can figure out what's going on together.

After all, there are no knitting police—and sometimes we all just need another knitter to look at our stitches.

Happy knitting!

Betty Jo