I have successfully made several scarves and I now need a suggestion for the next project for me to take on.
I was thinking of finding a pattern for a dog sweater but wasn’t sure if that was a little too ambitious since I have only done scarves and have never even read a pattern…
There is another pattern that is fun to make, that you could use as a toy for your dog. It’s a quick, easy teddy bear. This was one of the first patterns I ever followed, when I was learning to knit.
[FONT=Century Gothic]I’d agree that a dog sweater is a little too ambitious at this point as well, because you’re going to have to use double pointed needles or circulars. If you know how to use those, then go for it. Otherwise, I would recommend one of the following:
[FONT=Century Gothic]Slippers done on straight needles. Again, here is another pattern: http://www.aokcorral.com/projects/how2oct2005.htm[/FONT]. [FONT=Century Gothic]The only thing that you might have to learn for that is how to knit two together, but it’s simple…slip your needle into two stitches instead of one, and knit them like they’re one stitch.
You know, I have to agree with jess_hawk. Really, just find a pattern that you really like and do it. It’s a great way to learn new stitches. Plus you always have the help from the wonderful people on knittinghelp if you get stuck somewhere. Good luck!!!
Yeah, find something you like, then READ the ENTIRE pattern from start to finish. Make sure you understand it and feel that you can do it, first. If you can’t, find another one. There’s so many patterns out there. Again, I’m going to give knitty.com a plug. Knitty is my favorite site to go for knitting patterns and the first one I go to. They rate the difficulty of their patterns, too, so you know how hard it is. I would suggest to skip the “spicy” patterns and go for mild or tangy…
I agree with this. Be realistic about your skill level, but don’t be afraid to try something that involves learning something new. I would recommend choosing something that involves using only one or two new techniques/stitches (for example, something using increases/decreases, something involving seaming, etc). You want to learn something new with your next project, but you don’t want to be overwhelmed with trying to learn too many things at once.
Find a pattern you like that involves doing something new, then read the pattern thoroughly and make sure you understand each of the steps. Check out videos demonstrating the new techniques you’ll be using, either here on KH or elsewhere, then get started!
Yes, only one or two new things to learn in the next project. They do have a hat on Knitty that uses raglan decrease and seaming… it seems simple (I knitted one up myself) and it’s nice and clean and simiple-looking. I’m not sure if it would be beyond your skill but it was made by a bald guy, for bald men… hehe… I, however, love it for a cap-type hat, though. He had a few rows one color, then you start in on the main color and knit the rest with that. The color change is at the beginning of a row, so it’s not like you’re doing mosaic knitting or anything. This is also knitted flat, then seamed on one side.
Yeah, I agree with everyone here. You want something that will challenge you, but really don’t overwhelm yourself. If there’s something in a pattern that you really don’t think that you’re going to get just yet, move on to something else. But at the same time, don’t let your fears hold you back. As everyone else has said, I would say maybe try something with 2 or 3 stitches that you haven’t learned yet. Good luck!!