I've discovered that I think it's more sensible to find the pattern first and then get the appropriate yarn but usually I've been doing things the other way around as I find fabulous yarn on sale and buy that. I do sometimes struggling to find an appropriate pattern and there's big variations across wool in terms of what kind of stitches are going up work. So that I'm not as cash strapped as I was when I started I intend to mainly choose the pattern first but I'll probably do a bit of both!
I love yarn, and I love patterns. I have a collection of patterns, so when I buy beautiful yarn, I usually have either a sweater, shawl, scarf, or blanket in mind for the yarn, then I go back into my patterns and choose the one that matches the yarn.
Moving over the years forced me to part with beautiful supplies I still think about so I have matured into an artist that sources materials for specific projects. I view the appreciation of yarn and fabrics as its own hobby but I only buy yarns for projects in progress.
This may change in my household because my 10 year old is learning to knit and she is purchasing yarns in her own exploration of the craft and I suspect I will soon have a bin of skeins again and she comes into her own as a fiber artist. I’ve come full circle 😊
It really depends on how the Universe is feeling that day. I currently have WIPs where the yarn was purchased specifically for the pattern, and WIPs where the pattern was bought so I could use something pretty in my stash.
It just depends, really. Sometimes I find a pattern first, and sometimes I find yarn first. Sometimes I find the pattern and the yarn at the same time 😊
I feel like I'm an even mixture. For bigger projects, unless it's a steal (looking at you, green worsted wool from the garage sale) I will find a pattern first. However, I have enough of a stash now that I do find myself starting with a yarn I want to use, and then finding a pattern that will work!
That's a good point about project size. For one skein things I tend to start with what's in my stash and go from there. Sweaters generally need more of an investment so it's pattern first.
It's usually I see a pattern and I look and see if I have any yarn that will work. Occasionally I will buy yarn to do the pattern. I am currently trying to knit up my stash by looking for patterns that will suit the yarn I currently have. So a mix
I soooo appreciate the QUIRKY-ness of my crafting intelligence…often flying by the seat of my pants at a very Happy Age 75….Great Discussion Questions like this brings out the Commune in Communication!
As I look at all the gorgeous yarn in my stash, and all of the fabulous patterns in my library and the current WIPs, I have to agree. I wish days were longer so that I could get to more projects faster. But I continue to collect pretty yarn and great patterns and tell myself that one day I will knit with them.
Usually it is pattern first. I see a pattern in colours that appeal to me and go looking for yarn that would be similar. Or a kit if it is a Stephen West design. Now, I am not sure how MKALs count. I am signing up for the pattern and then picking the yarn, but I haven't actually seen the pattern yet. So is it really pattern first? Sometimes, if I have some gorgeous stash yarn that I couldn't resist buying, I go looking for a pattern that will work with that yarn. But most of the time the stash accumulates as it never is right for the pattern I want to make.
I've discovered that I think it's more sensible to find the pattern first and then get the appropriate yarn but usually I've been doing things the other way around as I find fabulous yarn on sale and buy that. I do sometimes struggling to find an appropriate pattern and there's big variations across wool in terms of what kind of stitches are going up work. So that I'm not as cash strapped as I was when I started I intend to mainly choose the pattern first but I'll probably do a bit of both!
I am definitely a pattern first… I collect patterns and then find the best yarn to use.
I love yarn, and I love patterns. I have a collection of patterns, so when I buy beautiful yarn, I usually have either a sweater, shawl, scarf, or blanket in mind for the yarn, then I go back into my patterns and choose the one that matches the yarn.
Moving over the years forced me to part with beautiful supplies I still think about so I have matured into an artist that sources materials for specific projects. I view the appreciation of yarn and fabrics as its own hobby but I only buy yarns for projects in progress.
This may change in my household because my 10 year old is learning to knit and she is purchasing yarns in her own exploration of the craft and I suspect I will soon have a bin of skeins again and she comes into her own as a fiber artist. I’ve come full circle 😊
for me pattern first, and then yarn. The research of perfect yarn for the project is exciting!
It really depends on how the Universe is feeling that day. I currently have WIPs where the yarn was purchased specifically for the pattern, and WIPs where the pattern was bought so I could use something pretty in my stash.
It just depends, really. Sometimes I find a pattern first, and sometimes I find yarn first. Sometimes I find the pattern and the yarn at the same time 😊
This is a rare occasion and must be celebrated-cake or champagne, or both.
Yarn first, then pattern, then more yarn because I'm not sure about the original yarn. Works every time!
I feel like I'm an even mixture. For bigger projects, unless it's a steal (looking at you, green worsted wool from the garage sale) I will find a pattern first. However, I have enough of a stash now that I do find myself starting with a yarn I want to use, and then finding a pattern that will work!
That's a good point about project size. For one skein things I tend to start with what's in my stash and go from there. Sweaters generally need more of an investment so it's pattern first.
The correct answer to this is yes.
That made me laugh. Yes please 😂
It's usually I see a pattern and I look and see if I have any yarn that will work. Occasionally I will buy yarn to do the pattern. I am currently trying to knit up my stash by looking for patterns that will suit the yarn I currently have. So a mix
I soooo appreciate the QUIRKY-ness of my crafting intelligence…often flying by the seat of my pants at a very Happy Age 75….Great Discussion Questions like this brings out the Commune in Communication!
Let's be honest: knitting, yarn collecting, and pattern buying are three separate hobbies that often, but not always, interconnect. 😝
How true!
As I look at all the gorgeous yarn in my stash, and all of the fabulous patterns in my library and the current WIPs, I have to agree. I wish days were longer so that I could get to more projects faster. But I continue to collect pretty yarn and great patterns and tell myself that one day I will knit with them.
That is scarily true!
This is the most accurate observation on knitting. 😂
I am in Love with this sentiment!
I usually start with the yarn, then design a project to suit.
Same here to be honest. I like to go through my stash and see what appeals to me
Usually it is pattern first. I see a pattern in colours that appeal to me and go looking for yarn that would be similar. Or a kit if it is a Stephen West design. Now, I am not sure how MKALs count. I am signing up for the pattern and then picking the yarn, but I haven't actually seen the pattern yet. So is it really pattern first? Sometimes, if I have some gorgeous stash yarn that I couldn't resist buying, I go looking for a pattern that will work with that yarn. But most of the time the stash accumulates as it never is right for the pattern I want to make.
Oh Yes do I hear You!