Growing Pains: Stretching Outside My Comfort Zone

If I’ve been quiet and not publishing as many patterns, or posts, it’s because I’m stretching myself a bit. I’ve nestled myself into quite the little comfort zone in knitted hats and Christmas Tree skirts. My winter wardrobe also needs a bit of a refresh. So I’ve started to stretch outside this little space and knit some sweaters. Sweaters are causing me quite a bit of growing pains, but so far its a really cathartic experience.

Previously I was dealing with some imposter syndrome and feeling really stagnant. I wasn’t able to come up with anything new and it was starting to really drag me down. Imposter syndrome and feelings are tricky because it can really snowball and keep you from creating anything. Which is exactly what I need to do in order to work through them. Trying new things has helped rekindle the creative energy which I need in order to express myself. Expressing myself helps keep me happy and healthy.

So other than imposter syndrome what’s been keeping me from releasing patterns and trying new things?

Time and Energy

One of the main growing pains keeping me away from designing sweaters is that they take so much time and energy. I always think of what else I could be doing if that sweater doesn’t work out and all of that time and energy is wasted. If you’re an end result knitter like me, this can really become like quicksand and freeze you in place.

Now having kids, my time for crafting is even more limited. And while my children fulfill me in ways that no craft can, I need to be choosy with what I do attempt to make as time is now a precious commodity. Usually I can get a bit of crafting done with them around, but that craft cannot demand too much of my attention or both it and my day become an utter disaster.

Know How

Another reason I haven’t gotten more into sweaters and these more complicated designs is lacking the knowledge and experience to correctly shape them. When I started knitting I purchased a few patterns to learn how to make hats and as I became comfortable, I was able to start experimenting. I don’t want to do this with these larger patterns because that feels like stealing another designer’s work. So there is a learning curve that I am working on overcoming without standing on someone else’s shoulders. This means it’s a slow going process and is very risky. Where I’m normally pretty risk averse, this is actually a little bit thrilling for me.

Sizing

This is the biggest hurdle that I’m facing in terms of offering my patterns for sale or free. I’m not comfortable with the requirements for different sizing and therefore I’m not able to yet scale my patterns. If I offer something, I really want it to be inclusive and I’m just not there yet as a designer. If anyone has this experience, or knows how I can learn more in this area I’d be very grateful for the information! I’d even partner on a pattern to help offer it in a more inclusive size range.

So What’s to Come From These Growing Pains?

Sweaters!

Well, I’ve got a sweater on my needles. My last two were a bit rushed and I would have liked the sleeves and body to be a bit longer. So, these are being addressed in this current WIP. As for the overall design, I’ challenging myself there too. It’s still a raglan sweater but I’ve used a different technique for the collar, different increases than I’ve typically done in the past, and the overall sweater is now textured: Specifically moss stitch. I’ve upped the number of stitches for the collar as I feel my previous sweaters were a bit too tight there.

Even if this doesn’t turn out, I’m having fun playing with my knitting. That is not a place I was in this time last year. I think I’m going to continue mixing in these larger projects to keep me and my design work balanced. Maybe one will work out and I’ll be able to offer it as a pattern!

The yarn I’m using is Lionbrand. Specifically it’s their Respun yarn, in worsted weight. I’ve been really happy with previous skeins of this yarn. However, I’ve hit quite a bit of miss spins and breakage in my current skein. The skein size is definitely worth the higher price tag and I like that the yarn is still soft while being made from recycled materials.

New Crafts

Recently, my little boy turned four. He requested a ski themed birthday party so I broke out my paints and dusted off some of my other crafting skills. I’ll do another post on that party to show you everything that I did. It turned out really cute.

I’m also getting into embroidery. This isn’t a huge leap as it’s still a fiber craft and sewing related, but it’s really fun to learn new techniques and now I’ll have other gifts that are perfect for weddings and other events. It’s also something that I can do while not stuck in my studio so I can be with the kids and keep them away from dangers like sewing machines and glue guns. More on this soon as well! In the meantime you can check out my latest sewing/embroidery themed project here!