New Crafts and Mind-Blowing [or, Knitting is Cool]

I bought knitting needles, remember?
And that was, surprisingly, a good decision.

No really.
Somehow, it worked out. 
Which is crazy, because for the past couple of years, every time I had ever tried to knit, it was always disastrous. I could either start out fine and then the stitches would slowly get tighter and tighter, or I couldn't get past the first few rows without a mess. Or, I would do alright with it, and then just, well, lose interest (because, hello crochet, instant gratification is awesome).
But, as I had mentioned in the last yarn-craft post, I had gotten rid of my needles, thinking I would never want to pick it up again.

I'm glad that feeling faded.
Because, man, this is AMAZING.
Somehow, stockinette stitched yarn is so much softer than crocheted yarn. I'm not sure if that's mental trickery, or real life, or what, but I'm quite enjoying it!
And while, sure, it does take a bit longer to knit something than it would to crochet it, the fabric that you make by knitting is just...better. It's more fabric-y and more visually pleasing to look at.

But, I can tell this story better in pictures. As one does.
Some of these have been on Instagram, as is normal for me and longer-term projects. I just can't withhold the excitement that long and not post photos before it's "ready" to be posted.

Yay for Joann's being right down the street, right?
I got a skein of Bernat Softee baby yarn, because I wanted a 3-weight. Somehow, that made sense. So, because I got a 3-weight, I bought a size 6 in Susan Bates circular needles. First time trying to cast on and knit didn't do so well, so I found a different set of instructions (that I managed to lose, and then refind later and not be able to understand, so no links). It started out working out alright.Yay!

I'm still not sure how things ended up getting skinnier as I went on. I think it has to do with how I was dealing with the end stitches/beginning stitches, and trying to make them not so loose and messy.

Regular knit stitch got boring, so I decided to learn how to purl. Which, actually, went pretty well.
Well, once I figured out how to do it. I found a great diagram on Lion Brand and had no major hangups with it.

This is everything I did on Sunday. You can see the narrowing towards the top. But, it's alright, I promise - you'll see why soon.

I found a picture that illustrated this, and figured I would need a note. The note has been helpful - because, at this point, I don't need it because I saw it and said it to myself so many times, I've got it stored away in my head.

I got this far with stockinette on Monday! And then, uh, complained on Instagram about the curling edges. Someone very kindly suggested slipping stitches and I tried to figure that bit out as well.

And then I ended up with this. I tried and tried to figure out that darn slipping bit, and just couldn't, which resulted in my pulling out more stitches, then half rows, then...I just said meh, I'm done practicing anyway.
Oh yeah, after half of Sunday, and bits of Monday working on this, I figured I would move on. A trip to Joann's for a larger size of knitting needles later, and the motivation was strong.
Except for the fact that I confused myself wholeheartedly with the slipping bits and had to basically re-learn everything. So, again, thanks to Lion Brand for having images that made sense to learn this stuff with.

I found a pattern! Also, a use for bad sticky notes? Pattern marker. The glue on these is terrible, and they fold up like that naturally after taking them off of the pad, so I don't use them. Well, other than for this purpose.

Oh, yeah, by the way - pattern trying was a success. The pattern is for a basket weave washcloth, which you can find here. Very simple instructions, but more than easy enough to use.

Did I mention I finished the darn thing in about five hours?
Did I also mention that it took me a good solid four tries to start out before I got it right?
Both of those things are true. Please excuse the bad coloring, I was too excited to photograph my success that I wasn't willing to wait for real sun the next day (afternoon sun just doesn't look good in our apartment).

Gratuitous up close stitch shot. I love these kind of photos. They just make me happy.

After this, I figured I should try some more, because I have an addictive personality.
I managed to knit a whole other washcloth the same night, but this time a stockinette version - the pattern for which can be found here (though it does require you putting in your email address).
And today has me starting and finishing a washcloth in double seed stitch (and it's only nearly four) (also, today is Wednesday).

So, now, questions.
WHY IS STOCKINETTE STITCH SO SOFT?! Yes, these washcloths were made with cotton (Lily's Sugar n Cream in Hot Blue), but nothing else made with this yarn has been so soft. I'm betting it has to do with the differences between crochet and knitting.
How did I manage to get three washcloths out of one skein of the cotton yarn, which I can only get one dishcloth (crocheted) from a skein? Math, amirite? Actually, I've heard that knitting uses less yarn than crochet, so maybe that has to do with it. I'll accept than answer until proven wrong.
Why is this so much darned fun?! Once I figured out what to do, that is. Figuring it all out at first was confusing, but apparently my patience is better now because I was able to take a deep breath and say "just try again, find different instructions and try again." And somehow, I listened to that, and it worked out. Weird things, right?!

Either way, expect much more knitting. Because this is amazing.

~Havok

P.S. I'm on Ravelry now, for reals. If you have a Ravelry account, feel free to add me as a friend! I've finally learned how to use the site (beyond looking for things to put on Pinterest!), and my newest project is noted over there. You can find me here.